"Chief of Staff and Strategy, YCBA"

Overview

Reporting to the Paul Mellon Director of the YCBA, this role serves as a key advisor and strategic partner, responsible for executing the Director’s vision, managing high-level projects, and overseeing critical functions within the Director’s Office. This position ensures effective coordination, communication, and execution of priorities across the Director’s Office while facilitating institutional alignment with Yale’s broader strategic initiatives. The Chief of Staff and Strategy plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Director’s agenda is implemented efficiently and effectively by managing executive priorities, overseeing strategic initiatives, and optimizing workflow within the Director’s team.**This search will be run by a search firm, Claremont Search.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to prioritize work, handle complex and multiple work assignments, achieve high quality work outcomes, meet deadlines, and effectively solve problems independently as well as part of a team. Ability to regularly exercise good judgment and initiative on non-routine matters. Ability to be resourceful and proactive.
2. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Enjoys problem solving, project and detail work, and can always remain composed and professional. Enjoys working in a team and independently.
3. Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal in a sensitive manner with diverse groups of people with matters requiring a high level of discretion. Excellent attendance and reliability; strong interpersonal skills; helpful and facilitative attitude.
4. Demonstrated Project management experience and skills.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

Proven experience in a Chief of Staff or similar executive support role within a higher education, art gallery or art institution. Demonstrated experience working directly with Directors, provosts, or senior university administrators to implement strategic priorities.

Principal Responsibilities

Advising and Executing the Director’s Vision & Office of the Director Oversight

• Execution of Director’s Strategic Vision: Serve as a primary advisor to the Director, ensuring strategic initiatives, priorities, and executive projects are effectively executed.
• Director’s Office Oversight: Supervise an administrative team ensuring smooth daily operations, seamless execution of priorities, and high-functioning administrative support.
• Strategic Planning & Workflow Optimization: Ensure the Director’s Office operates efficiently by managing priorities, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and optimizing internal workflows.
• High-Level Research & Analysis: Conduct research on academic, operational, and policy matters to inform the Director’s decision-making and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Institutional Alignment: Ensure the Director’s strategic goals are implemented across departments, working closely with the leadership team and external stakeholders.
• Meeting Preparation & Briefing Management: Develop executive briefings, agendas, talking points, and strategy documents for the Director, ensuring well-informed and effective leadership engagement.
• Confidential Management of Executive Issues: Handle sensitive strategic matters, advising the Director on complex institutional challenges with discretion and professionalism.

Strategic Project Leadership & Institutional Coordination

• High-Level Project Oversight: Lead and coordinate critical projects within the Director’s Office, ensuring they align with museum priorities and strategic goals.
• Operational Efficiency & Strategic Implementation: Identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness within the YCBA, streamline processes, and improve organizational impact.
• Institutional Coordination & Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensure the Director’s Office is effectively coordinating across leadership teams and administrative units to execute institutional priorities.
• Issue Management: Support the Director’s response to emerging challenges, ensuring preparedness, clear communication, and strategic resolution.

Stakeholder Engagement & High-Level Communications

• Primary Liaison to Internal & External Stakeholders: Serve as the primary point of contact and ambassador for the Director’s Office, facilitating high-level engagement across the university including the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, Development Office, Facilities Office, deans’ offices, chairs of departments, and directors of museums, galleries, and centers.
• Strategic Communications & Messaging: Work with the YCBA Communications Team to shape executive messaging, public statements, and institutional reports that reflect the Director’s vision.
• Leadership Team Coordination: Ensure alignment between the Director’s Office and leadership teams, facilitating regular strategy meetings and timely follow through on projects and initiatives.
• University-Wide Representation: Represent YCBA and the Director’s Office at Yale-wide meetings, ensuring the YCBA’s interests are well-positioned in broader university discussions

Required Education and Experience

Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Minimum of 8 years of experience in executive strategy, project management, and leadership support in an academic or complex organizational setting.

Demonstrated ability to implement and manage high-level institutional initiatives with cross-functional teams.

Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.

Outstanding communication and executive advisory skills, with experience developing briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leadership.

Ability to manage confidential and high-stakes matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

Salary Range

$81,900.00 - $163,425.00