Secretary of the University

Job Description

1. Develops goals and implements plans for various administrative function.
2. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree and fifteen or more years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Overview

The Secretary of the University at Yale University ("Secretary") is the chief officer responsible for the support of the university’s governance bodies, reporting directly to the President. The Secretary works closely with senior leaders to support the President and Fellows of the Yale Corporation, or board of trustees, in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities. The Secretary is a member of the President’s senior leadership team, the Vice Presidents Council, and the University Cabinet. The Secretary serves as Secretary to the Corporation, leading the support of trustee governance, Corporation meetings, committee meetings, and trustee recruitment, and overseeing trustee orientation and the maintenance of and access to official records. The position also serves as a member of the Alumni Fellow nominating committee, oversees administration of the Alumni Fellow election, and is responsible for the University Council as a key alumni advisory body. This is an exciting opportunity to assume a crucial role for governance at Yale, working closely with a new President, and at a moment of institutional evolution. The Secretary will help shape how Yale’s trustees and senior administrative leadership partner to sustain core values while leading change and continuing to evolve the institution to capitalize on the opportunities to advance its mission. The next Secretary must possess exceptional diplomatic, organizational, communication, and leadership abilities to manage complex operations, leverage the skills and expertise of leadership volunteers, and support effective decision-making at the highest levels within the University.

Key Responsibilities

Corporation Strategy and Support

1. Serve as the Secretary to the Corporation, recording and maintaining the records of Corporation activities, including the formal minutes of Yale Corporation meetings.
2. Principal staff supporting the development of the content and organization of Corporation meetings and other trustee activities.
3. Principal staff responsible for identification and development of an ongoing pipeline of potential Alumni Fellow and Successor Trustee candidates.
4. Principal University liaison to the trustees for their range of board-related activities.
5. Cognizant officer for the Corporation’s Trusteeship Committee and Committee on Honorary Degrees, and helps guide the work of the Corporation’s other committees.
6. Oversee the preparation of Corporation meeting materials and maintenance of the formal records of the Corporation.
7. Develop and lead the orientation of new trustees and University Council members.
8. Oversee the University-related outreach and engagement activities of the trustees as appropriate.
9. In concert with other offices, assure that the President and the trustees have the support and services necessary to fulfill their fiduciary roles.

Alumni Fellow Elections

1. Serve as a voting member of the Alumni Fellow Nominating Committee of the Yale Alumni Association Board of Governors to select Alumni Fellow candidates.
2. Responsible for the administration of the Alumni Fellow election, including determining eligibility of candidate nominations, preparation of election materials, and appointment and oversight of a third party to administer and certify the election.

University Council

Plans and manages the meetings of the University Council, a nonfiduciary, university-wide alumni advisory body to the president of the University charged with studying and making recommendations on particular facets of University life.

Yale Signatory

1. Responsible for the safekeeping of the seal and other official insignia of the university.
2. Signs all diplomas and other official and ceremonial documents.

University Records

In consultation with the University Archivist, the Secretary is responsible for authorizing any exceptions to the restricted access of university records.

Team Leadership

Leads a team of four in ensuring the efficient and effective execution of the above responsibilities.

Required Skills and Abilities

Yale’s next Secretary will be an experienced leader with sound judgment and strong interpersonal skills, able to work effectively in a complex and demanding environment. This individual will value collaboration, institutional stewardship, and thoughtful change, and will bring the credibility and presence needed to engage productively with trustees, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Leadership Experience

Extensive experience in senior operations management within a highly complex organization, working closely with board and senior leadership on governance, organizational priorities, and complex institutional issues.

A track record of managing high‑stakes processes, balancing competing interests, and providing steady counsel in a dynamic environment.

Stakeholder Engagement

Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across a broad range of teams, stakeholders, and constituent groups. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and diplomatic skills, with a proven ability to manage confidentiality, trust, and sensitive relationships.

Governance Acumen

Demonstrated experience working with boards, trustees, or high-level volunteer leadership, with the ability to both support and appropriately challenge. Understanding and appreciation of governance, institutional decision-making, and organizational dynamics; higher education experience valued but not mandatory.

Intellectual Range

Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and drive operational excellence across functional areas, with an intellectual curiosity to operate in uncharted territories.

Mission Orientation

A demonstrated passion for and connection to Yale’s mission of improving the world today and for future generations through outstanding scholarship, education, preservation, and practice.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

1. Prioritizes Yale’s necessarily varied needs and interests, nimbly adjusting and refining strategic direction to best serve the entire university.
2. Cultivates authentic relationships across Yale’s alumni base to facilitate a robust and accomplished pipeline of board volunteers and supporters.
3. Understands and appreciates Yale’s history, while bringing a forward-thinking, innovative mindset.

Collaborating and Influencing

1. Considers and solicits input from a variety of stakeholders, engaging others in open dialogue to embed a culture of openness and inclusivity.
2. Builds relationships at all levels within the university, fostering a trusting and supportive culture while leading through influence and modeling the "One Yale" identity.
3. Approaches stakeholder engagement and influence through the lens of partnership and shared success, demonstrating the ability to work with important external constituencies.

Driving Results and Leading Change

1. Fosters an environment where continuous improvement and change are expected.
2. Recruits, retains, and develops a team that works cohesively and is inspired to regularly go above and beyond to realize the institution’s aspirations.
3. Consults broadly, questions assumptions, and establishes practices and systems to support, measure, and reinforce high performance.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. High emotional intelligence, discretion, and integrity.
2. Strategic thinker with a strong vision and ability to execute initiatives effectively.
3. Collaborative, team-oriented leader who seeks impact over personal credit.
4. Comfortable operating in ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and maintaining availability to trustees and senior leaders.
5. Commitment to Yale’s mission, values, and long-term success.