Chief of Staff

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

The Chief of Staff is the President’s senior strategic and operational partner, extending the President’s capacity to lead and helping translate institutional priorities into coordinated action. The role advises the President, aligns senior leaders around shared objectives, oversees high-priority initiatives and the effective operation of the Office of the President, and serves as a trusted liaison to the Board of Trustees and key internal and external constituents. Through sound judgment, clear communication, disciplined follow-through, and collaborative problem-solving, the Chief of Staff advances the University’s mission, strategic plan, and reputation.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Strategic counsel and institutional alignment: Advise the President on institutional priorities, emerging issues, policy considerations, and significant internal and external matters. Help convert the President’s direction and the strategic plan into clear priorities, coordinated work, and measurable progress.

• Presidential initiatives and execution: Lead or coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives sponsored by the President. Establish plans, clarify ownership, monitor milestones and risks, resolve barriers, and ensure timely follow-through.

• Executive leadership coordination: Plan and facilitate Cabinet and senior leadership meetings, including agenda development, decision support, documentation of commitments, and tracking of action items. Strengthen communication and coordination across leadership teams.

• Issue triage and resolution: Assess sensitive or high-priority inquiries, concerns, and requests directed to the President. Determine the appropriate path, engage responsible leaders, monitor resolution, and elevate matters that require presidential attention.

• Board of Trustees support: Serve as a principal liaison to the Board of Trustees and coordinate with University leadership on meeting planning, agendas, materials, communications, records, and follow-up, consistent with institutional governance practices.

• Executive communications and briefings: Oversee the flow and quality of communications for the Office of the President. Prepare or coordinate correspondence, speeches, presentations, reports, talking points, research, and briefing materials in collaboration with Communications and other partners.

• Presidential engagement and office operations: Ensure the President is prepared for meetings, events, and external engagements by aligning objectives, participants, materials, and follow-up. Provide strategic guidance on the President’s schedule and priorities and supervise Office of the President staff to support responsive, consistent operations.

• Support constituent and community relations: Represent the President, as assigned, with faculty, staff, students, alumni, community organizations, government officials, and other partners. Partner with the VP of External Affairs and Advancement team to build constructive relationships, surface stakeholder perspectives, and advance partnerships that support the University’s mission and community engagement goals.

• Policy, compliance, and institutional risk: Collaborate with responsible University leaders, including General Counsel, on policy development, regulatory matters, government relations, and institutional risks within the scope of presidential priorities.

• Resource stewardship: Support planning and oversight for the Office of the President budget and other assigned resource, in partnership with the CFOs. Exercise delegated authority, when provided, in accordance with University policy and established controls.

Qualifications

Background, Knowledge, and Skills

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

• Leadership experience in higher education and familiarity with shared governance, board relations, strategic planning, institutional policy, and external affairs.

•  Substantial progressively responsible experience supporting an executive, leading strategic initiatives, or managing complex work in higher education, government, a nonprofit organization, or another comparably complex environment.

•  Demonstrated success coordinating work across functions and influencing outcomes without relying solely on formal authority.

•  Exceptional judgment, discretion, integrity, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters.

•  Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.

•  Strong project management, organization, research, analysis, and problem-solving skills.

•  Ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively through ambiguity, and respond calmly to changing circumstances.

•  Demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively with people from varied backgrounds and roles.

•  Experience with executive communications, government or community relations, fundraising support, or organizational change.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to –

• Regular use of computers and other standard office technology, with extended periods of seated work.

• Regular interaction with campus and external constituents in office, meeting, event, and community settings.

• Occasional travel and evening or weekend work may be required to support University events and presidential commitments.

Special Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s license and insured vehicle

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

Work Environment

Physical Activity

Lifting Requirements 

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_        Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_X_        Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___         Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

_X_        Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

_X_        Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

___         No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• 401k employer match

• Employee & dependent life insurance

• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents

• PTO program

• Flexible work schedules

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.