University of Nebraska System

Job Summary:

The Chief of Staff to the President serves as a senior advisor and strategic partner to the President of the University of Nebraska and provides leadership, coordination, and support for the priorities and activities of the Office of the President.

Working closely with the President, the Chief of Staff helps advance University-wide priorities; facilitates coordination among the University's campuses and System Administration; supports effective executive decision-making; and ensures that presidential decisions, commitments, and strategic initiatives are translated into timely and effective action.

The Chief of Staff serves as a principal coordinating point for matters requiring the President's attention and works closely with the Chancellors, Vice Presidents and other members of University leadership, the Office of the Corporation Secretary, and other internal and external stakeholders.

The position operates primarily through the authority delegated by the President and through collaboration, coordination, and influence. The Chief of Staff does not alter the authority or reporting relationships established by the Board of Regents for the Chancellors, Vice Presidents, or other University officers.

The position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, organizational awareness, and the ability to work effectively across a complex, geographically distributed public university system.

Additional Info

About Us:

University of Nebraska employees enjoy a flexible benefits program allowing you to customize your benefits to suit your personal needs; paid vacation and sick leave in addition to 13 paid holidays; access to career-advancing educational programs, including and employee and dependent tuition benefit applicable at any of the NU campuses; and immediate vesting pre-tax retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

3 years significant progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, government, business, nonprofit administration, or another large and complex organization.

Demonstrated experience working directly with senior executive leadership.

Experience coordinating complex initiatives involving multiple organizational units and senior leaders.

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, synthesize information, and provide clear recommendations to executive decision-makers.

Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority and time-sensitive matters simultaneously.

Demonstrated record of exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality in highly sensitive matters.

Equivalent combination of education and experience, that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree in higher education administration, business, public administration, law, public policy, or a related discipline.

Significant senior leadership experience in higher education, a university system, state government, or another large public organization.

Experience working directly with a university president, chancellor, governing board, cabinet, or comparable executive leadership structure.

Understanding of the governance, financing, academic mission, and public accountability of a major public research university.

Experience coordinating enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and organizational change.

Experience working in a multi-campus or geographically distributed organization.

Knowledge of Nebraska, its public institutions, communities, economy, workforce needs, and higher education environment.

Additional Information:

The ideal candidate is an agile professional with strong interpersonal communication skills, flexibility and responsiveness; exhibits high ethical standards; proficient in managing time and competing priorities; responsive and committed to managing, supporting and motivating staff; committed to the ideals of a major public research university.

Special Instructions:

Please note:  Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.