Chief of Staff, The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Chief of Staff, The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Chief of Staff, The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Job Profile Title

Director D, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) seeks a Chief of Staff to serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Dean. This role sits at the center of the School's leadership infrastructure and is responsible for advancing the Dean's priorities through disciplined execution, cross-functional coordination, and high-level problem solving.

Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief of Staff is a key member of the senior leadership team and plays a central role in translating strategy into action. The Chief of Staff works closely with the Dean and senior leaders to shape priorities, drive implementation, and ensure alignment across the School. This includes overseeing critical initiatives, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and supporting decision-making on matters of institutional importance.

The Chief of Staff will lead and manage a portfolio of strategic and operational projects that cut across academic programs, administrative functions, and external engagement. They will help ensure that the School's efforts are coherent, well-coordinated, and aligned with its mission and strategic vision. The role also requires cultivating strong relationships across Penn GSE, the University, and external constituencies, serving as a trusted representative of the Dean when appropriate.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, intellectual agility, and discretion, with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive matters. They will be equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and attending to executional detail, and will contribute to a culture of excellence, inclusion, and impact.

Job Description

Strategic Leadership and Advising

• Serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Dean, playing a central role in advancing the school's most critical priorities and strategic vision. Leads the implementation and management of high-impact strategic and operational projects that are of the utmost importance to the school, working in close collaboration with the Dean to translate vision into action and ensure key initiatives are executed with excellence.
• Provide strategic counsel to the Dean on institutional priorities, emerging issues, and organizational challenges.

Execution, Coordination, and Institutional Effectiveness

• Drive progress on key priorities by coordinating across units, tracking deliverables, and ensuring accountability and follow-through.
• Support the effectiveness of the Senior Leadership Team by organizing meetings, structuring agendas, and ensuring alignment on goals, decisions, and implementation.
• Serve as a central point of coordination across the School, facilitating communication and collaboration among academic and administrative units.
• Work closely with the Dean's Executive Assistant to manage the Dean's time and attention, including prioritizing requests and preparing high-quality briefing materials.

Communications and Representation

• Draft and coordinate communications on behalf of the Dean, including remarks, correspondence, and materials for internal and external audiences.
• Represent the Dean in meetings and engagements, as appropriate, with internal and external stakeholders.

Operations and Administrative Oversight

• Oversee the planning and execution of Dean's Office initiatives and events, including supervision of the Dean's Office Coordinator.
• Manage sensitive and confidential matters with the highest level of discretion and professionalism.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as needed to support the work of the Dean's Office and the School.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and a minimum of five to seven years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect long-term institutional goals to near-term actions.
• Proven capacity to lead through influence, coordinate across diverse stakeholders, and drive initiatives to completion.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with careful attention to detail and a commitment to follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leaders and varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion, judgment, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across a wide range of constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse community.
• High degree of initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as needed to support the responsibilities of the role.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range

$110,500.00 - $180,000.00 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.