University Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor and COO

POSITION DETAILS

Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer (EVC and COO), the Senior Advisor leads strategic initiatives, identifies challenges and implements solutions across the University in collaboration with members of the senior administration at the Central Office and campus leadership. Serving as a member of the Executive Vice Chancellor’s senior executive team, the Senior Advisor supports broad functional objectives; manages highly sensitive, complex projects and activities on behalf of the Executive Vice Chancellor; and fosters communication and knowledge sharing across the organization as a trusted partner and resource. The Senior Advisor ensures the ongoing monitoring of - and alignment between - mission, vision, values, strategy, structure and University culture.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Works collaboratively with the Executive Vice Chancellor and Central Office executives to develop, implement, and enhance strategic initiatives and innovation.
• Initiates, plans, and manages complex, large-scale projects across functional areas.
• Works to develop a project management structure.
• Serves as the lead out of the EVC’s office for major real estate projects and initiatives.
• Understands and supports the EVC’s vision and leadership; effectively articulates these with the EVC’s staff and executives of the University offices and campus leadership.
• Develops productive and collaborative relationships with senior level administration and external parties and serves as a liaison to the University’s Office of the EVC and COO on matters related to Budget and Finance, Facilities Planning, Construction and Management, Computing and Information Services, and AI in Operations.
• Oversees the successful execution of high priority, cross functional operations and projects and communication of priorities to internal and external constituencies.
• Serves as subject matter expert, handling inquiries and developing action plans to address them, and administers and implements new policies and revisions to current policies and practices in collaboration with the EVC and other senior executives.
• Assesses inquiries directed to the EVC, determines the proper course of action and delegates as appropriate.
• Represents EVC, as appropriate, to University and external groups and committees.
• Researches issues, prepares and presents reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on a variety of policies, projects and strategic issues.
• Reviews Research Foundation or other entities for fundraising and corporate ventures.
• Enhances and/or develops, implements, and enforces policies and procedures that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the services delivered.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

NOTE: Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: This position is in CUNY’s Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience.

Preferred:

• Progressively responsible experience supporting executive leadership in a higher education nonprofit or complex public institution.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with Senior Management Teams.
• Strong work ethic, character, and personal integrity to work with the utmost professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Demonstrated collaborative, relationship-building, and interpersonal communications skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders in a multi-constituency environment.
• Proactive and detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to establish plans, manage a large and varied workload of assignments with conflicting priorities; strong follow-through and the ability to meet established deadlines.
• Ability to work productively as an individual contributor and collaboratively as a team member in a fast-paced, time sensitive, customer-responsive and team-oriented office.
• Experience with high-level negotiations and strategic communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of higher education principles, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to embrace the culture and values of the University and persuasively articulate its mission and aspirations.
• Familiarity with New York State and City politics and priorities, strong interpersonal skills, and a track record of success in fostering collaboration.
• Ability and availability to travel across New York City and work evening hours as needed.