Chief of Staff

Company: San Francisco Bay University
Location: Fremont
Posted on: June 26, 2025

Job Description:

About SFBU San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Special Assistant to the President for Community Engagement. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good. At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable, quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan . Position Summary The Chief of Staff is a member of the President’s Cabinet, reporting directly to the President. As the principal aide to the President, the Chief of Staff coordinates all presidential office operations and activities in support of institutional priorities and supports the President and Board of Directors. Additionally, the Chief of Staff advises the President on policy, procedural and operational issues of the university, and may be charged with leading the operationalization of strategic initiatives for the President. The Chief of Staff represents the President to senior vice presidents, campus officials, and critical external constituents. Key Responsibilities Executive Leadership & Strategic Advising Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, actively participating in institutional strategic planning, policy development, and problem-solving. Provide counsel and act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the President on sensitive matters. Synthesize information from internal and external sources to support informed presidential decision-making. Represent the President on University committees or task forces as assigned. Accompany the President to meetings and conferences as needed; prepare notes, track action items, and ensure timely follow-up with stakeholders. Drive the integration of institutional strategic priorities into operational plans across departments and monitor progress against SFBU’s strategic plan. Collaborate with Institutional Research and Assessment to develop dashboards and tools that track institutional performance metrics. Cabinet & Leadership Coordination Plan and facilitate Cabinet meetings, including setting agendas, managing logistics, and ensuring follow-up on action items. Oversee annual goal-setting and progress tracking for the Cabinet; draft communications, reports, and memos as needed. Foster information sharing among Cabinet members and departments to support timely and effective decision-making. Support executive team development through the coordination of performance evaluation cycles, leadership development opportunities, and succession planning initiatives. Initiative & Project Oversight Lead, manage, and coordinate cross-departmental and university-wide initiatives to advance strategic goals, serving as project manager on large efforts, tracking progress and deliverables, and aligning activities across divisions. Support the President in prioritizing institutional initiatives, driving change management efforts, and ensuring accountability through the development and monitoring of key performance metrics. Anticipate institutional risks and coordinate with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., Legal, Compliance, HR) to ensure SFBU remains proactive and compliant in all areas. President’s Office Operations & Staff Management Oversee the daily operations, staff, and budget of the President’s Office to ensure efficient, mission-aligned support for institutional priorities. Manage workflow, scheduling, internal protocols, and communications to promote organizational responsiveness and operational effectiveness. Coordinate with campus departments on internal events such as town halls, ensuring alignment with the President’s messaging, effective documentation, and timely follow-through. Draft high-level communications on behalf of the President for internal and external audiences, including speeches, statements, and strategic messaging. Coordinate crisis communications with the Office of Communications and ensure alignment with the presidential voice and the university's mission. Board & External Relations Coordinate Board of Directors communications and logistics—including agendas, meeting materials, and presentations—in partnership with the General Counsel. Support external engagement by preparing communications and materials for donors, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders. Partner with the Vice President of Advancement on donor relations and events hosted at the university house. Represent the President and the University in select external and internal interactions, helping shape presidential messaging and institutional presence. Advocate for inclusive decision-making processes and ensure that institutional initiatives reflect SFBU’s core values around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Minimum Requirements: Master’s degree and 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in executive-level support, strategic operations, or institutional planning; or Bachelor’s degree with 7–10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in complex organizations (e.g., higher education, nonprofit, government, or mission-driven industry).Demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities across departments or functions. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and deliver high-quality, responsive service. Experience leading or supporting organizational change or institutional strategic planning efforts. Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, MBA, MPA, or JD) in higher education leadership, public administration, business administration, law, or a closely related field. Experience supporting a President, Chancellor, or C-level executive in a complex organization. Familiarity with Board governance and executive-level communications. Project management experience, particularly with cross-functional or strategic initiatives. Appreciation for academia and the ability to work on strategic and operational initiatives in an academic environment. Experience managing a President’s or Chancellor’s Office, including staff supervision and budget oversight. Experience in event planning or coordination at the executive level, including board meetings or donor events. Familiarity with higher education compliance, accreditation (e.g., WASC), and institutional effectiveness frameworks. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to set priorities and meet deadlines. Collaborative work style, and the ability to maintain productive relationships across executive, internal, and external stakeholders. High attention to detail with an analytical orientation. Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills. Ability to work calmly and accurately under pressure. Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and adapt to change. Ability to define clear objectives and enforce accountability. Skilled in navigating and influencing within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Comfortable working across both strategic planning and daily operational tasks. Ability to manage up, across, and down in a matrixed leadership environment. Strong facilitation skills for leading meetings, retreats, or cross-functional teams. Advanced proficiency in productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace or Microsoft Office), project management software, and virtual collaboration platforms. Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $190,000- $210,000 annually, depending on experience. Competitive salary based on experience. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits. Voluntary benefits and 401(k) match (5%). Opportunity to shape the future of educational access and equity in the Bay Area and beyond. Application Materials: Current CV/resume. A letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities noted in the position profile and describes your leadership approach, commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 19, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Keywords: San Francisco Bay University, Santa Clara , Chief of Staff, Administration, Clerical , Fremont, California