This position is open to internal candidates only. External candidates will not be reviewed or considered.

Salary/Position Classification

• Annual Salary $150,000 - $170,000, Exempt
• Full-Time position with some evening or weekend work and travel as needed. 
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

This position serves as a key advisor to the President, providing counsel on strategic and operational issues. The Chief of Staff leads strategic planning efforts, manages projects, and coordinates with members of the Executive Council. This position supports presidential engagement with key stakeholders on the campus, in the local community, with the ND University System/State Board of Higher Education, and with legislators. Reporting to the President, the Chief of Staff provides oversight and supervision to three members of the office staff and serves as a member of the President’s Executive Council.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Presidential Advising and Executive Alignment
  • Provides support to the president, with the primary goal of implementing the UND vision and mission and presidential priorities.
  • Works collaboratively with, and be a resource for, the Executive Council and UND leaders.
  • Counsels the president, provides a sounding board, advises on sensitive matters, and ensures the President has all information necessary to make informed decisions.
  • Convenes and sets the agenda for the Executive Council meetings in consultation with the president.
  • Provides guidance to the president on applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, based on legal advice provided by the designated Assistant Attorney General(s).
  • Understands and interprets SBHE, NDUS, and UND policies and procedures to ensure compliance and to guide decisions.
  • Participates with the president and senior leaders on institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution.
  • Assists in developing legislative priorities across university divisions and business units.
• Managing Workflow and Initiatives
  • Ensures alignment between administrative leaders and the president by examining, recommending, and implementing processes and systems for workflow between the Office of the President and the senior leadership team.
  • Supports projects and initiatives of the President and the Executive Council. Ensure those essential projects and initiatives stay on track and move forward as planned. Scope, plan, and execute multiple, often quick-turnaround projects.
  • Works with campus leadership to oversee complex, high-priority projects with responsibility for outcomes.
  • Reviews, researches, and summarizes a variety of information/data in support of campus decision-making.
  • Presents ideas for special projects that might facilitate the President’s/senior leadership’s objectives.
  • Serves as the focal point for internal and external tasks assigned to members of the Executive Council.
  • Tracks action items from and responses to the Chancellor, NDUS staff, SBHE members, legislators, and Governor’s Office.
  • Serves on select search committees, as requested by the President.
  • Participates in Emergency Operations and natural disaster responses.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Represents the President at internal and external events and meetings.
  • Cultivates and maintains active connections with students, faculty, and staff.
  • Works with the UND Alumni Association and Foundation to connect UND’s strategic needs and Presidential priorities with philanthropic goals and alumni support.
  • Works to align additional 501I(3) foundations with the UND mission and vision. These include the UND Aerospace Foundation, the UND Center for Innovation Foundation, the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, the Ralph Engelstad Arena board, and the Energy and Environmental Research Centers (EERC) Foundation and the UND Fellows.
  • Cultivates and maintains relationships with city, state, and national leaders. 
• Oversight of Internal Office Operations
  • Leads and manages the staff of the Office of the President to make the most efficient and effective use of the President’s time. This includes oversight of the president’s calendar, travel, briefings, State Board of Higher Education engagement, internal meetings, and other related areas.
  • Supervises the Events Coordinator/Administrative Support, the Administrative Specialist, and the Executive Assistant to the President.
  • Ensures the smooth operation of the Office of the President and its support to members of the Executive Council and the campus community.

Required Competencies

• Where appropriate and required by circumstance, serves as a spokesperson for the University of North Dakota
• Ability to respond to complex problems, issues, and situations that require the use of knowledge of existing processes/procedures/precedents, sound judgment, creativity, resourcefulness, adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to establish effective relationships and interaction with key internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally or written
• Excellent communication skills with the proven ability to educate and build trust across a wide variety of constituencies
• Ability to be an active listener who can learn from the broad range of constituencies and interact productively in the exchange of ideas
• Demonstrated skills in supporting and coordinating the creation of written communications, presentations, talking points and other similar materials
• Demonstrated ability to handle complicated issues with tact and diplomacy while exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to work independent of direct supervision and take initiative without specific instructions
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules and regulations, and to communicate the interpretation to others
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, lead, organize, and prioritize in a complex and dynamic setting

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, OR PhD, JD or equivalent terminal degree and a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• Experience managing multiple projects with strict deadlines
• Experience analyzing data to synthesize quantitative information to assist with decision making
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education
• Experience as a chief of staff either in higher education, private or public/NGO sector
• Experience working in a comprehensive research university with an emphasis on the liberal arts
• Significant experience in one or more of the following: strategic planning, strategic communication, legislative affairs, major project management, educational leadership, and/or C-level leadership