Chief of Staff

Chief Of Staff

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan is looking for a Chief of Staff to provide high-level strategic, operational, and executive support to the Dean and senior leadership team. You will report to the Dean.

As Chief of Staff, you will help advance the Ford School's academic vision, institutional priorities, and operational effectiveness. You will provide counsel to the Dean, lead and support school-wide strategic projects, strengthen executive operations, support faculty governance, and connect teams, units, and university partners to advance priorities including Resilient Democracies, Democracy and Civic Empowerment, and related efforts in academics, research, student experience, public engagement, and operational alignment.

The Ford School is one of the nation's foremost policy schools, housed at one of the world's great public universities. We are a community dedicated to the public good. We inspire and prepare leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. To learn more about the Ford School, read About Us.

Responsibilities*

Strategic Leadership and Project Management (35%)

• Partner with the Dean and senior leadership team to advance the Ford School's strategic priorities, institutional goals, and long-term planning efforts
• Lead and manage high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment, accountability, and measurable progress
• Provide strategic and operational guidance for school-wide initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and support mission-driven outcomes
• Monitor progress on key priorities, identify risks or barriers, and recommend solutions to keep initiatives moving forward

Engagement and Communication (30%)

• Strengthen coordination between the Ford School, university-wide initiatives, senior leaders, communications staff, and key internal and external partners
• Support engagement with university leaders, public officials, alumni, donors, community partners, and external partners, while also advancing collaboration across internal teams, committees, and school priorities
• Collaborate with the Dean, senior leaders, and communications staff to develop messaging, planning materials, response strategies, and leadership communications for internal and external audiences
• Draft and coordinate Dean's Office communications to faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, partners, and other key audiences
• Identify and advance opportunities for cross-unit collaboration, institutional visibility, public impact, internal alignment, stronger decision-making, and improved organizational processes
• Represent the Dean's Office in select meetings, working groups, and engagements with university, school, and external partners as appropriate

Dean's Office Leadership and Executive Support (25%)

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean on academic, operational, administrative, and community matters
• Provide leadership and coordination for Dean's Office operations, including workflows, supervision of designated staff, follow-up processes, and priority management
• Prepare executive reports, proposals, agendas, talking points, correspondence, and meeting materials for internal and external audiences
• Coordinate closely with the Dean's assistant to align communications, scheduling priorities, meeting preparation, and action items

Faculty Governance and Academic Administration (10%)

• Support faculty governance processes, including agenda development, committee coordination, policy updates, leadership assignments, and follow-up actions
• Partner with Academic HR and school leaders on faculty reviews, hiring processes, appointments, and related academic personnel matters
• Help ensure academic and administrative processes are clear, consistent, well-coordinated, and aligned with school and university priorities
• Provide guidance and project support for academic planning, governance improvements, and faculty-related initiatives

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five or more years of experience managing complex projects or strategic initiatives
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience
• Experience working with senior leaders and diverse constituencies
• Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, proofreading, and developing clear presentations
• Ability to use sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment

Why Work at Michigan?

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• Retirement plan with two-for-one university matching contributions and immediate vesting
• Health insurance options
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Paid parental leave

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.