Chief of Staff, Division of Business Services

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The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Chief of Staff, Division of Business Services

Job Profile Title

Director D, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary

The Chief of Staff (CoS) for the Division of Business Services (BSD) acts as a strategic advisor and operational leader, providing support to the Vice President in the coordination of initiatives within the division's diverse portfolio. This includes housing, dining, transportation, parking, conference services, the bookstore, the childcare center, ice rink, mail services, shipping, and more. The CoS ensures effective coordination of strategic initiatives, operational oversight, and the Vice President’s communications, fostering collaboration among internal and external stakeholders. This position, in partnership with senior division leadership, plays a crucial role in advancing the division’s objectives, aligning operations with the university's strategic mission, and driving initiatives related to inclusivity, climate action, sustainability, and customer service excellence.

Additionally, this role is categorized as essential personnel and involves being on-call (24 hours/7 days) to respond to emergencies and receive urgent notifications.

Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Planning:

• Collaborate with the Vice President to develop, implement, and monitor strategic goals and initiatives for Business Services.
• Lead cross-departmental planning efforts, ensuring seamless coordination across housing, dining, transportation, and other business units.
• Collaborating with senior leadership and benchmarking divisional services against peer institutions to ensure best-in-class operations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Vice President, providing counsel on complex issues and facilitating informed decision-making.

Project & Operations Management:

• Manage key divisional initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorit