Chief of Staff & Communications Manager

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff and Communications Manager serves as the primary executive aide, strategic facilitator, and communications lead for the Founding Dean. This role ensures the Dean’s priorities, communications, and engagements are effectively managed, providing high-level coordination, project tracking, and executive administrative support. The position is also responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for the School of Nursing, managing the school’s brand presence, digital platforms, media relations, and stakeholder communications—all in alignment with the Dean’s vision and UGA’s institutional goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Exceptional writing skills across multiple formats, including executive communications, press materials, web content, and social media.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage complex priorities in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Knowledge of and appreciation for a complex research university and the unique demands of an academic health/nursing context.
• Ability to conceive, plan, execute, and assess multi-channel communications projects.
• Knowledge of website structure and content management; ability to work with web designers to launch and maintain sites.
• Familiarity with graphic design principles and experience working with design professionals.
• Proficiency with social media platforms and digital communications tools.
• Familiarity with AP Stylebook and ability to apply consistent style standards across publications.
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to set up and manage listservs and email distribution lists.
• Mastery of open records, public disclosure, and confidentiality standards.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and exercise sound, independent judgment.

Physical Demands

Occasional lifting and carrying of promotional or event materials (approximately 15–20 pounds).

Duties/Responsibilities

Executive Support and Chief of Staff Functions

• Directs and manages the daily administrative and operational activities of the Dean’s Office as a business unit to ensure optimal executive functioning and unit efficiency.
• Sets standards for and oversees the development of executive briefing materials, reports, and presentations, ensuring they meet the strategic objectives for internal and external engagements.
• Establishes tactical plans and project governance frameworks to monitor progress on school-wide initiatives and ensure that action items assigned by the Dean are completed on schedule.
• Directs a departmental sub-function to provide comprehensive administrative services to the leadership team, ensuring the correct functioning of business operations and support systems during the school’s inaugural year.
• Exercises independent judgment and mastery of standards to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive institutional information with high-level discretion.
• Designs and implements office-wide processes, policies, and service standards to ensure efficient service delivery and continuous improvement of the Dean’s Office administrative infrastructure.
• Leads the resolution of non-standard or complex operational problems and manages high-importance special projects that require extensive investigation and cross-functional coordination.
• Holds budgetary accountability for the unit’s operating and capital budgets; tracks spending and utilizes data analytics to measure activity levels and drive operational results.
• Holds full authority for personnel actions for assigned staff, including hiring, firing, training, performance evaluations, promotional decisions, and pay actions.
• Oversees critical internal service functions, including facility maintenance, space planning, and equipment/supply procurement via UGA Mart to sustain the unit’s ongoing functioning.

Percentage of time: 60

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Develops and implements a multi-channel communications strategy for the UGA School of Nursing to enhance the school’s reputation, support its academic mission, and promote its programs to prospective students, clinical partners, donors, and the broader public.
• Drafts and produces the Dean’s recurring communications, including newsletters, presentations, remarks, reports, and other deliverables.
• Creates and maintains a daily or periodic news summary for the Dean and leadership team.
• Manages the school’s communications calendar and ensures consistent messaging across print, digital, and social media channels.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of all School of Nursing websites and ensures content reflects current policies, programs, priorities, and brand standards.

Percentage of time: 15

Media Relations and External Communications

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries and pitches associated with the School of Nursing.
• Writes and disseminates press releases, news stories, and media advisories highlighting faculty expertise, student success, research, and programmatic milestones.
• Collaborates with UGA’s Division of Marketing and Communications to align school communications with university-level messaging and initiatives.
• Represents the Dean’s Office in campus-wide communications committees and working groups.

Percentage of time: 10

Stakeholder Engagement and Event Support

• Serves as a primary point of contact for the Dean’s Office by facilitating communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including clinical partners, accreditation bodies, advisory boards, and community organizations.
• Supports the planning and execution of signature Dean’s Office events, ceremonies, and external-facing engagements.
• Gathers, organizes, and synthesizes information to support executive decision-making and strategic planning.

Percentage of time: 10

Information and Records Management

• Manage the school’s communications files, mailing lists, and distribution systems.
• Maintain administrative memo listservs and coordinate broad dissemination as needed.
• Ensure compliance with open records, public disclosure, and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain documentation of key institutional communications, decisions, and correspondence.

Percentage of time: 5