Job Description

The Chief of Staff is a visionary and equity-focused leader who excels in strategic thinking and dynamic leadership. Partnering closely with the college’s President and the Executive Leadership Team, this role is instrumental in advancing the strategic plan, fostering coordination, and ensuring a clear understanding of the college’s mission, vision, and goals across campus. The Chief of Staff represents the President in interactions with the college’s Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders, including local and state legislators, business, and community leaders.

Under the direction of the President, this role provides comprehensive support for the President’s Office. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, and overseeing various assigned activities and operations. As a senior advisor, the individual reports directly to the President, managing a range of administrative and executive duties, special projects, and initiatives aligned with the President’s priorities. The role involves coordinating college-wide projects initiated by the President, and addressing questions, concerns, and requests on behalf of the President.

 

Requisition ID: 56
Employee Group: Exempt
Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks
Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000
Benefits: Full Time
Reports to: President
Posting Opens: August 6, 2024
Posting Closes: Open until filled. First applicant review on August 20, 2024 and weekly thereafter.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide Leadership: Lead and manage designated areas as assigned by President. Plan, organize, direct, implement, and monitor activities, operations, and services within these areas to ensure effective outcomes.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the President and the Executive Leadership Team to advance the strategic plan. Foster coordination and promote a clear understanding of the college’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Act as Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison for the President’s Office. Represent the President in interactions with various stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, management, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external entities such as local and state legislators, business, and community leaders. Ensure the accurate and timely flow of information to and from the President’s Office.
• Manage Communications: Oversee and direct the creation of executive-level communications, including speeches, reports, and presentations.
• Counsel and Advise: Evaluate risk factors when making critical business decisions. Provide strategic counsel and advisory support to the President on daily operations, ensuring efficient and effective management of resources and overseeing the budget for the President’s Office.
• Principal Management Support: Serve as the main management support for the President, addressing a wide range of issues related to faculty, staff, students, public, and governmental affairs. Handle significant institutional matters on the President’s behalf as appropriate.
• Executive Leadership Team Integration: Coordinate the activities of the President’s Executive Leadership Team in the development and implementation of core initiatives for the Office of the President.
• Action Plan Design and Implementation: Develop and implement action plans to achieve the College’s operational goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Strategic Management Facilitation: Facilitate strategic management processes and program management for key initiatives from the President’s Office. Ensure alignment with the institution’s strategic planning goals and coordinate efforts across the college. Steering strategic business initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Community Interaction: Engage with members at all levels of the college community to define, advance, and assess the President’s Office’s work, ensuring continued effectiveness.
• Governing Board Liaison: Act as the liaison to the Board of Trustees on key executive matters as delegated by the President.
• Report and Proposal Preparation: Prepare and contribute to the creation of reports, proposals, briefings, presentations, and responses to institutional and strategic issues, including sensitive public inquiries. Assist with resolutions and provide alternative recommendations.
• Correspondence Management: Actin on behalf of the President to answer inquiries and correspondence involving sensitive issues and subject matter requiring discretion, confidentiality, judgment, and negotiation.
• Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships with key constituents to support the President and resolve complex issues, advancing strategic priorities.
• Meeting Participation: Represent the President accurately in meetings with faculty, administrators, and others. Drive understanding and decision-making processes.
• Senior Staff Facilitation: Facilitate communication between senior staff and the President, raising critical issues and ensuring timely responses, guidance, and decisions.
• Administrative Support: Assist the President in all aspects of college administration and direct special projects as assigned
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving customers and performing the essential functions of this position.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education Credentials

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership or related field, required.
• Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership or related field, preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years or more experience working with higher education executives at an academic institution.
• Experience balancing strategic leadership with detailed involvement in support of accountabilities, highly preferred.
• Significant experience managing and operationalizing budgets, highly preferred.

Skills

• Operational Characteristics: Comprehensive understanding of the operational characteristics, services, and activities related to the functions, programs, and operations of the President’s Office.
• Institutional Structure: Knowledge of the organizational, operational, and structural functions of postsecondary institutions.
• Strategic Planning: Expertise in the principles and practices of strategic planning, including implementation and evaluation.
• Regulatory Framework: Familiarity with relevant state, federal, and local policies, rules, and regulations.
• Educational Best Practices: Awareness of best practices and emerging trends in the field of education.
• Leadership and Management: Proficient in methods and techniques of leadership and management, including organizational development.
• Program Development: Understanding of principles and practices related to program development, administration, and review.
• Budget Management: Knowledgeable in principles and practices of budget preparation and financial administration.
• Research and Analysis: Skilled in methods and techniques of research, analysis, and decision-making.
• Communication: Proficient in principles and practices of business communication, including business letter writing, fiscal, statistical, and administrative research, and report preparation.
• Representation: Techniques for effectively representing the college with government agencies, community groups, media, and other organizations.
• Technology: Proficiency in office procedures and equipment, including the use of computers and relevant software applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases)
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to interact with tact, patience, and courtesy, fostering effective relationships.
• Problem Resolution: Proficient in handling and resolving complex and sensitive situations and inquiries with tact and professionalism.
• Prioritization: Manage multiple priorities and tasks with competing deadlines, adapting to changing schedules while maintaining productivity.
• Problem-Solving: Analyze issues, identify alternative solutions, project consequences, and implement recommendations effectively.
• Data Management: Research, compile, and analyze data from diverse sources to support decision-making and prepare clear reports.
• Technology Utilization: Operate office equipment and software applications proficiently while managing pressure and frequent interruptions.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Work with and exhibit sensitivity to diverse populations.
• Effective Communication: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

 

Physical Demands

• The position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, and writing, listening and speaking.

Mental Demands

• Display patience, diplomacy and excellent public relations skills.
• Ability to plan and work independently as well as work as a part of a team.

Working Conditions

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

GRCC is only accepting online applications for this position at https://www.grcc.edu/careers. Submit a cover letter and resume. The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Grand Rapids Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Visa sponsorship is not available.

HIRING PROCESS

GRCC uses an Evidence Based Selection Process, where we make data driven hiring decisions to help mitigate bias throughout the hiring process. As part of this process, candidates will participate in assessments (cognitive and behavioral), reference checks and interviews.

 

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.

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