Position Details

Position Information

Vacancy IDS2538Job TitleCHIEF OF STAFFDepartmentPresidentSchool/Parent OrganizationPresident Parent OrgDivisionPresident DivisionEmployment CategoryFulltime-RegularAnticipated start date01/06/2020If temporary, expected end dateHours per week37.5Weeks Per Year52.20Normal Start Time08:30Normal End Time17:00Position/Job Summary

Ithaca College’s Office of the President is seeking applications for the Chief of Staff, a senior administrator who provides leadership and serves as a strategic advisor to the President and member of the Senior Leadership team.

The successful candidate will:
- Work closely with the President on a wide variety of administrative and executive matters, high priority projects and initiatives and organize, coordinate and translate initiatives and plans into action.
- Oversee the administrative, operational, and financial affairs of the Office of President.
- Serve as a primary liaison between the President and the senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, board of trustees and distinguished individuals outside of the College.
- Respond on behalf of the President in addressing complaints, questions or inquiries; develop communications and prepare special correspondence.

Position/Job Responsibilities

1.Provide direct assistance and serve as strategic advisor to the President of the College. Serve as a resource and point of contact for key constituents to resolve complex issues and move forward strategic priorities. Identify special projects, issues or problem areas; research and organize related materials; coordinate with appropriate administrators, report progress and/or results to the President.

2.Serve as the primary liaison within the Office of the President for parents, students, and alumni, as well as faculty, staff, and administrators; and as a supplementary [or secondary] contact for alumni, trustees and other friends of the college; demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust, and support. Strengthen and maintain relationships and inform the President, and relevant Vice Presidents, on constituent relations.

3.Facilitate a strategic management process and provide expertise and program management for specific strategic initiatives out of the President’s office that are critical in meeting the College’s strategic planning goals. Oversee all aspects of Presidential Fellows Program, which enables faculty, staff and students to have the opportunity to develop professionally while advancing the strategic priorities of the college. Interact with colleagues across the college, particularly the Provost and the VP of HR and Planning, to ensure alignment and synergy with the strategic plan.

4.Interact with members at all levels of the College community for the purpose of defining, advancing and assessing the work of the Office of the President to ensure continued effectiveness. Serve as liaison to the Board of Trustees on key executive matters as delegated by the President.

5.Exercise considerable judgment in analyzing policy issues, identifying College-wide impacts and coordinating responses to the President on strategies and alternatives for dealing with issues; Prepare and or contribute to the preparation of reports, proposals, briefing, presentations, and responses on college and strategic issues. At the direction of the President, assist in all aspects of College administration.

6.Participate in key meetings with faculty, administrators, and others; accurately represent the President’s position in internal meetings and discussions to help drive understanding and move decision-making forward.

7.Serve as a member of the senior leadership team; Organize senior leadership team retreats, meetings and team development opportunities. Alert key college officials on matters of sensitivity and/or importance as they come to the attention of the Office of the President. Leverage relationships and utilize analytical skills to stay aware of and/or anticipate issues that may impact the campus and/or potential problems. Maintain strict confidentiality.

8.Assemble information and develop nuanced perspectives for potential responses to questions or suggestions about the college. Respond on behalf of the president in addressing complaints, questions or inquiries submitted to the Office of the President; review draft messages from the president based on agreed points to be made. Manage items from the president@ithaca.edu email account that need to be escalated.

9.Work in collaboration with the appropriate budget and finance individual(s) in overseeing and managing the budget of the Office of the President; including restricted accounts. Assist in preparing the office operational budget; oversee staff who monitor the processing and reconciliation of expenses to include requisitions, balance transfers, and processing of payroll information. Ensure that decisions made are fiscally sound and in line with the financial targets and goals of the Office of the President.

10.Develop, demonstrate, and promote multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse and respectful College community. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a college priority, communicate to employees an expectation of behavior that is civil and inclusive when interacting with all staff, faculty, students and visitors and promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment.

11.Oversee the office of government and community relations for the College. Attend government and community events and serve on boards and/or committees as needed. Respond or facilitate/co-facilitate responses to inquiries and requests for information from community stakeholders; collaborate with the Office of College Communications to develop accurate, concise, consistent, and cogent responses to requests for information. Ensure President is informed and advised on changes in NYSED; federal, state, and local requirements, issues, legislation, or government direction.

12.Working with College Communications, partner on developing communications strategies and advise on content and tone for staff engaged in writing, reviewing and editing various publications, preparing presentations, and correspondence; participate in identifying courses of action, communications strategies, meetings, and outreach opportunities to assist the President in advancing the college’s agenda and/or communicating the college’s direction. Ensure smooth and timely communication of information to the college and the community about what is happening both on and off campus regarding town-gown relations.

13.Work collaboratively with office staff to ensure the smooth operation of the Office of the President. Supervise staff assigned to the Office of the President; provide guidance and direction on daily work tasks and projects, review completed tasks to ensure compliance with policies and procedures; interview, hire, and train; plan, assign, and direct work; and conduct annual performance reviews.

Position/Job Qualifications

Master’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience in a progressively responsible executive and/or management position or equivalent combination of education and experience; demonstrated strong leadership skills, excellent writing, interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and verbal communication skills; strong attention to detail, the ability to work effectively with a diverse student, faculty, staff, and alumni population; ability to cultivate an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment; ability to treat all people equitably and with a sensitivity and awareness to cultural difference; demonstrated ability to hold others accountable for behavior that is supportive of a community that is diverse and inclusive; demonstrated ability and skill in strategic planning, experience in government and community relations, and ability to work within the President’s schedule, including evening and weekends are required. Serve as a calming presence in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information from a variety of sources. Serve as advocate and source of support for office staff.

EEO Statement

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Instructions for submitting your application:

Interested applicants must apply online at http://ithaca.edu/jobs/ and attach a cover letter and resume. Questions about online application should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000. Screening of applications will begin immediately. To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by December 1, 2019.

Work authorization (select one):Visa sponsorship is not provided for this positionDepartment descriptionCollege Description

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of 6,500 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu

Market Hiring RangeFLSA StatusExemptIs this position eligible for benefits?YesQuick Linkhttp://ithaca.peopleadmin.com/postings/17081Documents Needed to ApplyRequired Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

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