JOB DESCRIPTION
CHIEF OF STAFF
OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR
The Chief of Staff is the senior executive staff person in the Office of the Chancellor, reporting directly to the Chancellor. The Chief of Staff will provide coordination and liaison with other senior executive officers on virtually any matter of interest to the Chancellor; and will provide coordination and liaison between the Chancellor and other officials and constituencies in the region and the state. Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:Serves as administrator and member of the Chancellor’s Executive Council, the senior administrative leadership team on Western’s campus.
- Coordinates and chairs meetings of the Chancellor’s Executive Council.
- Assists in establishing priorities and agendas, researches issues of importance and sensitivity, and produces briefing materials and information on all significant matters which require the Chancellor’s attention.
- Supports the Chancellor in leading an effective senior management team; manages the team’s agenda, designs meetings, prepares or secures suitable materials to advance the team’s deliberations.
- Interacts with administrators, faculty and professional staff to affect two-way communication between and among the Chancellor and all campus constituencies. Represents the Chancellor as appropriate, in resolving problems and complaints from students, parents and other constituencies; responds to daily requests for Chancellor assistance in handling inquiries, correspondence, complaints, and human resource matters, or gathers appropriate background information for Chancellor to make a decision.
- Responds to and meets with broad range of internal and external individuals and groups, frequently related to matters of immediate concern, and coordinates responses, solutions, and follow-up with the Chancellor and other appropriate university officers. Evaluates and researches variety of issues, problems, etc. and makes assessments in order to advise and assist the Chancellor.
- Manages the timely and accurate completion of special projects which cross organizational lines. Monitors initiatives established by the Chancellor to ensure timely and successful completion by all staff.
- Coordinates special initiatives as determined by the Chancellor.
- Communicates on behalf of the Chancellor with local and regional officials and agencies.
- Assists the Chancellor with correspondence, reports, and speeches.
- Assists in the planning of special events for the Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Director of Event Planning.
- Coordinates and oversees platform party activities related to WCU commencement activities including special presentations such as honorary degrees.
- Coordinates and oversees the Fall Opening Address and the Spring Faculty Awards Convocation. When funding is available, coordinates the Chancellor’s Speaker Series.
- Plans and executes retreats for the Executive Council.
- Serves as the Chancellor’s representative on campus committees or to outside organizations as the Chancellor may direct.
- Serves as liaison with university governance through attendance at University Advisory Council and Staff Forum. Assists the Chancellor in communicating responses to all campus governance entities.
- Handles special projects and monitors public policy issues. Provides substantive and analytic information for the Chancellor in relation to the Chancellor’s dealing with the academic and external communities.
- Attends campus and special events on behalf of Chancellor.
- Attends each meeting of the Board of Trustees.
- Responsible for preparing and managing the budget for the Chancellor’s Division which includes the offices of University Planning, Legal Counsel, Internal Auditor, Equal Opportunity Programs, Athletics, and the Center for Regional Development, as well as the Office of the Chancellor.
- Prepares, allocates, and monitors the Chancellor’s Discretionary Account and Overhead Receipts Account.
- Represents the Chancellor to the campus community through participation in select committees involving campus-wide issues (i.e., budget, technology, SACS, etc.)
- Attends weekly meetings of the Chancellor and his External Affairs representatives.
- Makes decisions related to the following: operation and management of the Office of the Chancellor; problems and issues that reach the Office of the Chancellor related to students, faculty, or staff; issues arising through external inquiries; handling of crises, sensitive issues, and confidential matters; planning, budgeting, and carrying out variety of short-term and long-term projects; and day-to-day problem solving.
- Advises the Chancellor on policy and organizational issues.
- Appoints members to award committees such as Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and Paul Reid Service Awards and monitors the work of the committees.
- Identifies important issues confronting the campus and develops appropriate information and data to produce policy and action recommendations.
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