Chief of Staff

Comprised of 8 unique schools with more than 1,000 faculty, 12,000 students and 30,000 staff, the University of Rochester is a leading research university with a long tradition of breaking boundaries. As a community, the University is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that motto are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability.

The University of Rochester Office of Equity and Inclusion is dedicated to cultivating an equitable, respectful, and welcoming culture at the University of Rochester. We strive to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the University’s mission to learn, discover, heal, and create. We celebrate our connections to the Rochester community and affirm that in a pluralistic culture, the definition of community includes individuals who represent every race, creed, color, ability, sexual identity, and gender.

The University of Rochester Office of Equity and Inclusion is seeking a dynamic Chief of Staff. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer and coordinates all Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) activities in support of institutional priorities.

The Chief of Staff is charged with maximizing the effectiveness of the Office of Equity and Inclusion through strategic planning, change management, digital transformation and OEI professional development. The Chief of Staff is deputy to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and ensures that the Vice President is positioned for success regarding scheduling, communications, administration, and workflow.

Key responsibilities and areas of focus for the Chief of Staff include:

Leadership:

• Acts as principal aide to the Vice President of OEI, coordinating all activities to support institutional priorities and advising on DEIJ and strategic issues.
• Organizes interdisciplinary teams, manages meetings, strategies, and briefing materials for the Vice President, while overseeing OEI Division Directors.

Relationship Development & Engagement Management:

• Manages Vice-President’s engagement schedule, coordinating with various departments. Represents OEI effectively in all communications and actions with internal and external stakeholders.

Strategy:

• Coordinates leadership projects and provides analysis for executive decision-making, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic plan.
• Ensures there is an OEI focus on priority objectives and communicates results of analyses to the Vice President.

Project Management:

• Manages operations, scheduling, staff, and budget to support institutional priorities within OEI.
• Serves on cross-functional teams to promote the vision and direction of the Vice President and OEI.

Digital Transformation:

• Directs development and management of technology to enhance tracking, reporting, trendspotting and OEI’s reach across campuses.

Professional Development:

• Oversees professional development opportunities for OEI staff, ensuring that OEI team members are positioned to use DEIJ best practices in their work; ensures implementation of professional development initiatives.

The ideal candidate for the Chief of Staff to the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer will bring 7 to 10 years of related experience in a leadership role, higher education, academic medicine or related functional area.

This individual possesses solid demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so. The ideal candidate will exemplify collaborative/cross functional skill sets, possess the ability to embrace and drive change and has demonstrated experience performing analysis of complex programs and implementing large-scale changes for improvement.

Candidates will also need to demonstrate their ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion when dealing with sensitive information.

Job ID: 251545

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, create – and Make the World Ever Better.

In support of our values and those of our society, the University will select faculty and staff without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law.

This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.