Chief of Staff

St. Norbert College, a nationally ranked, private, Catholic, liberal arts college, is seeking a Chief of Staff (CoS). This position serves as a trusted strategic and administrative partner to the President, supporting the advancement of the College’s mission, institutional priorities, and initiatives. The Chief of Staff provides support and insight in planning, policy development, project management, communication, problem-solving, and the coordination of key internal and external activities of the President and the President’s Office. The role manages the day-to-day operations and initiatives of the President’s Office in a highly detail-oriented, confidential, and professional manner. Through frequent interaction with trustees, administrators, faculty fellows, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and friends of the College, the Chief of Staff builds strong relationships and helps ensure that the President’s Office represents the College with professionalism, responsiveness, and care.

Specific responsibilities:

Facilitate Strategic Planning, College of the Future, Institutional Project Execution, and Work with the Board of Trustees.  Partner with the President, President’s Cabinet, senior leaders, and community members to advance the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Translate institutional priorities into clear work plans, timelines, milestones, and persons responsible, as well as tracking monthly measures of progress toward institutional goals using various forms of internal and external data requiring cross-campus coordination. Serve as the primary liaison for College of the Future initiatives and other cross-functional efforts. Facilitate implementation, identify barriers and dependencies, monitor progress, and provide regular updates, briefing materials, and recommendations to the President. Lead or coordinate special projects on behalf of the President, including research, stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and follow-through. It is anticipated that this role will serve as Secretary to the Board in year two of service and beyond. 

Facilitate the Work of the President’s Cabinet, Governance Structure, and Support Executive Decision-Making.  Collaborate with the President and Cabinet members to develop agendas, prepare meeting materials, coordinate pre-read materials, review weekly reports for issues requiring follow-up, and facilitate productive President’s Cabinet meetings. Document key decisions, action items, responsible parties, and deadlines, and maintain an effective system for tracking follow-through and accountability. Support the President’s regular one-on-one meetings with Cabinet members and others by preparing agendas, gathering background information, taking notes as appropriate, and monitoring commitments and next steps. Track agendas, minutes, and regular meetings with governance structure representatives (Senate, Staff Council, and SGA) and Deans and Directors. Manage searches and external reviews on behalf of the President’s Office, as appropriate. Coordinate calendar requests with the President each week and ensure the President is appropriately prepared for each engagement.

Manage Presidential Communications, Correspondence, and Constituent Engagement.  Serve as a highly professional, welcoming, and responsive representative of the Office of the President for internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, parents, and community partners. Manage and monitor incoming correspondence and email for the President; assess urgency, route matters appropriately, draft responses, and ensure timely follow-up. Research, draft, edit, and coordinate presidential communications, including letters, emails, memoranda, talking points, speeches, presentations, and briefing materials. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications and other campus partners on key institutional, executive, and crisis communications, as appropriate. Exercise sound judgment and maintain discretion in handling sensitive, confidential, and high-profile matters.

Manage President’s Office Operations, Financial Administration, and Records.  Oversee the daily operations of the President’s Office to ensure an organized, efficient, and professional environment. Manage the Office of the President budget; process invoices, reimbursements, and payments; reconcile purchasing-card transactions; monitor expenditures; and maintain appropriate financial records. Coordinate review and approval process for use of Packer tickets; facilitate office purchases and supplies; submit and follow up on work orders; and address the office’s facility, technology, and equipment needs. Establish and maintain secure, accurate, and accessible digital filing systems for confidential correspondence, meeting materials, institutional records, and historical documents.

Coordinate Presidential Meetings, Engagements, Events, and Logistics.  Plan and coordinate logistics for presidential meetings, lunches, dinners, receptions, campus events, and other internal and external activities. Arrange meeting locations, catering, invitations, guest lists, room setup, audiovisual needs, presentation materials, and event run-of-show details. Coordinate all travel and related logistics for the President. Ensure the President is fully prepared for meetings, events, and presentations through timely briefing materials, logistical support, and follow-up.

Perform Other Duties as Assigned.  Perform additional duties, special assignments, and College-required training as assigned by the President. Maintain regular attendance and conduct all responsibilities in a manner consistent with College policies, confidentiality expectations, safety requirements, and the mission and values of St. Norbert College.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Education -  

• Bachelor’s Degree. 

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, business administration, organizational leadership, communications, or a related field preferred.

Experience and Credentials - 

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive administration, institutional planning, project management, data analysis and reporting, operations, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience supporting senior-level leaders with data and analysis to support decision-making and competency managing complex, sensitive, and confidential matters in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating cross-functional projects, including the development of work plans, timelines, deliverables, accountability measures, and progress reports.

• Experience working with, monitoring, and reporting on institutional research data related to key institutional performance metrics.

• Experience preparing executive-level communications, including correspondence, briefing materials, presentations, talking points, reports, and other written materials for varied internal and external audiences.

• Experience managing calendars, meetings, event logistics, and follow-up for senior leaders or executive teams.

• Experience with budget monitoring, invoice and payment processing, purchasing-card reconciliation, or other financial and administrative processes.

• Higher education, nonprofit, government, or other mission-driven organizational experience preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a mission-focused, student-centered, and performance-based campus environment that creates a strong sense of belonging for all community members

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – 

• Knowledge of and strong commitment to the College’s Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts mission, along with a willingness to actively participate in the life of the College. 

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate change among all constituent groups including the strategic direction of the College to become a more hybrid campus to better serve the needs of all learners.

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and monthly reports of progress to the President.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, concise, and appropriately tailored communications on behalf of the President.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information, personnel matters, institutional issues, and executive communications.

• Ability to build productive relationships, work collaboratively, and manage conflict with senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community partners, and other College constituents.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, anticipate needs, and respond effectively to changing circumstances and frequent interruptions.

• Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to establish systems for tracking decisions, action items, deadlines, and strategic initiatives.

• Ability to facilitate meetings, document outcomes, and support accountability for agreed-upon actions and commitments.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex calendars and coordinate meetings, meals, events, travel, and other logistical details with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, calendar-management tools, shared digital filing systems, presentation software, and financial or expense-management systems; ability to learn new technologies as needed.

• Ability to maintain accurate, organized, secure, and accessible electronic records and confidential files.

• Strong attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to providing professional and welcoming service as a representative of the Office of the President.

• Ability to work independently while maintaining close communication and alignment with the President, senior leadership, and deans and directors, as appropriate.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends in support of the President, events, campus functions, and other institutional priorities.

Benefits package:

The College offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan; paid time-off and tuition waiver. 

Application instructions:

This position will be posted for a minimum of five business days, and applications will be reviewed upon receipt until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.

Applicants are also required to submit a letter describing how their professional experience, leadership approach, and personal qualities align with the mission and values of St. Norbert College. This letter should address how the candidate would actively advance the Catholic, Liberal Arts, and Norbertine traditions in the context of this role. Mission alignment will be considered a significant factor in the evaluation process.  

St. Norbert College (SNC), a Catholic, Norbertine, and Liberal Arts College, provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual, and personal development. As the only Norbertine institution of higher learning in the world, our roots, traditions, and commitments create a unique and enriching educational experience for our students.

At SNC, our commitment to communio – the Norbertine ideal of one heart, one mind in God – is grounded in the principles of truth, dignity, and justice. Consistent with these principles, St. Norbert is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

We seek those who will embrace our mission and are committed to building a vibrant, welcoming, and spiritually engaged community (https://www.snc.edu/mission/gettingtoknow.html). 

Exempt

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the job if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the job. Percentage of time may vary widely depending on the needs of the position during any particular time period. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.