"Chief of Staff - Office of the Vice President for Research"

Position Overview

The Chief of Staff ensures that CMU's research and innovation strategy and priorities are clearly defined, aligned with institutional goals, and translated into effective execution. As the principal aide and trusted advisor to the VPR, the Chief of Staff provides strategic counsel, drives coordination across the research enterprise, and supports governance, decision-making, and special initiatives of institutional importance. This position reports directly to the VPR.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide counsel and support to the VPR and senior leaders on matters of strategic and tactical importance; surface and communicate emerging issues.
• Deliver high-level analysis of a wide variety of research-related opportunities and challenges, with recommendations for action or resolution.
• Facilitate effective and efficient decision-making by gathering data, convening appropriate stakeholders, and framing clear options and recommendations.
• Support the VPR in managing relationships with internal and external constituencies and balancing commitments for maximum strategic impact.
• Lead project management for time-sensitive projects and initiatives deemed critical by the VPR, including coordinating activities, managing timelines, and reporting on progress.
• Ensure teams are aligned and working in concert to achieve shared institutional objectives.
• Research, coordinate, and prepare reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on institutional and strategic issues.
• Engage with constituents across the university and externally to ensure initiatives and actions are aligned with the institutional strategic plan.
• Provide primary support to the VPR for the Board of Trustees, Faculty Senate, and other advisory boards and committees.
• Represent the VPR with internal and external constituencies, including attending meetings, committees, events, or boards and presenting information as appropriate.
• Assess inquiries directed to the VPR, determine appropriate courses of action, and delegate responses accordingly.
• Develop and review materials for the VPR's signature, including verifying facts and policy compliance, evaluating issues, presenting alternatives, and preparing responses.
• Oversee OVPR management, foster a culture of high performance, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Carry out projects that are highly sensitive and confidential in nature.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including select administrative or coordination tasks as needed.

Candidate Profile

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Ability to operate effectively at executive levels, manage ambiguity, and lead institution-wide initiatives.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven success advising senior leadership and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
• High analytical skills and ability to make decisions with attention to accuracy, detail and local context
• Understanding today's complex research and translation environment.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously and meet time-sensitive deadlines.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Ph.D. or other terminal degree strongly preferred.
• Experience: 10-15+ years of senior-level experience in research, higher education leadership, policy, or other complex, mission-driven organizations.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired may be considered.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time position based in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.

Applications, Nominations, and Inquiries

This search is being supported internally by the Carnegie Mellon University Talent Acquisition team.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications submitted by March 10th, 2026 will receive first consideration.

Nominations and confidential inquiries may be directed to Christopher Sciullo: csciullo@andrew.cmu.edu

All nominations and inquiries will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality, consistent with Carnegie Mellon University's commitment to discretion throughout the executive search process.