Chief of Staff

Presidential initiatives and execution: Lead or coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives sponsored by the President. Establish plans, clarify ownership, monitor milestones and risks, resolve barriers, and ensure timely follow-through.

Executive leadership coordination: Plan and facilitate Cabinet and senior leadership meetings, including agenda development, decision support, documentation of commitments, and tracking of action items. Strengthen communication and coordination across leadership teams.

Issue triage and resolution: Assess sensitive or high-priority inquiries, concerns, and requests directed to the President. Determine the appropriate path, engage responsible leaders, monitor resolution, and elevate matters that require presidential attention.

Board of Trustees support: Serve as a principal liaison to the Board of Trustees and coordinate with University leadership on meeting planning, agendas, materials, communications, records, and follow-up, consistent with institutional governance practices.

Executive communications and briefings: Oversee the flow and quality of communications for the Office of the President. Prepare or coordinate correspondence, speeches, presentations, reports, talking points, research, and briefing materials in collaboration with Communications and other partners.

Presidential engagement and office operations: Ensure the President is prepared for meetings, events, and external engagements by aligning objectives, participants, materials, and follow-up. Provide strategic guidance on the President’s schedule and priorities and supervise Office of the President staff to support responsive, consistent operations.

Support constituent and community relations: Represent the President, as assigned, with faculty, staff, students, alumni, community organizations, government officials, and other partners. Partner with the VP of External Affairs and Advancement team to build constructive relationships, surface stakeholder perspectives, and advance partnerships that support the University’s mission and community engagement goals.

Policy, compliance, and institutional risk: Collaborate with responsible University leaders, including General Counsel, on policy development, regulatory matters, government relations, and institutional risks within the scope of presidential priorities.

Resource stewardship: Support planning and oversight for the Office of the President budget and other assigned resource, in partnership with the CFOs. Exercise delegated authority, when provided, in accordance with University policy and established controls.

Qualifications

Background, Knowledge, and Skills

• Master’s degree in higher education leadership, public administration, business, communications, public policy, or a related field.
  
  
• Leadership experience in higher education and familiarity with shared governance, board relations, strategic planning, institutional policy, and external affairs.
  
  
• Substantial progressively responsible experience supporting an executive, leading strategic initiatives, or managing complex work in higher education, government, a nonprofit organization, or another comparably complex environment.
  
  
• Demonstrated success coordinating work across functions and influencing outcomes without relying solely on formal authority.
  
  
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, integrity, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters.
  
  
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
  
  
• Strong project management, organization, research, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
  
  
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively through ambiguity, and respond calmly to changing circumstances.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively with people from varied backgrounds and roles.
  
  
• Experience with executive communications, government or community relations, fundraising support, or organizational change.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Must be able to –

• Regular use of computers and other standard office technology, with extended periods of seated work.
  
  
• Regular interaction with campus and external constituents in office, meeting, event, and community settings.
  
  
• Occasional travel and evening or weekend work may be required to support University events and presidential commitments.
  
  

Special Requirements :

• Valid Driver’s license and insured vehicle
  
  

Physical and Mental Requirements :

Work Environment

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Outdoor Weather Conditions

X

Work with fumes or airborne particles

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Vibration

X

Physical Activity

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Talking & Hearing

X

Using hands/fingers to handle/feel

X

Climbing or balancing

X

Bending, pulling, pushing

X

Driving

X

Lifting Requirements

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_ Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_X_ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

_X_ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

_X_ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
  
  
• Dental Insurance
  
  
• Vision Insurance
  
  
• Pet Insurance
  
  
• 401k employer match
  
  
• Employee & dependent life insurance
  
  
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
  
  
• PTO program
  
  
• Flexible work schedules
  
  

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.