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 material