Chief of Staff, Research Innovation and Impact

The Division of Research, Innovation and Impact at the University of Arizona is excited to welcome applicants for the role of Chief of Staff. This is a senior leadership position responsible for supporting the Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation (SVPRI), advancing the work of the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact, and serving as the liaison to the leadership, faculty, committees and various other stakeholders across campus.

The Chief of Staff will represent the interests and priorities of the SVPRI through effective communication, coordination, and strategic integration. As a member of the Executive Team, the successful incumbent will work collaboratively with senior management, the SVPRI Executive Associate and her team, faculty and staff, and will manage the SVPRI office. The Chief of Staff leads a wide range of confidential, complex, and sensitive executive, advisory, and strategic duties, and provides direct oversight to the division's projects and initiatives. The division of Research, Innovation and Impact is proud to serve a diverse and varied group of internal and external constituents, and a successful candidate will need to work effectively across these diverse communities. The role is responsible for overseeing strategic research priorities and objectives for the SVPRI, and as such, will demonstrate strong alignment with the U of A's mission, values, and strategic vision, and possess a record of success, sound judgment, integrity, discretion and flexibility working in a complex, dynamic, and demanding environment that requires complete confidentiality.

As a representative for the SVPRI, member of the senior leadership team, and liaison to campus, this position cultivates a sense of shared purpose and proactively prepares the SVPRI for critical issues, priorities, and engagements. This highly visible position provides exceptional and professional service.

Research, Innovation & Impact

Research is essential to strengthening our communities, driving innovation, growing our economy, preparing a competitive workforce, advancing society, and tackling the complex challenges we face.

The Office of Research, Innovation and Impact (RII) expands the capacity of U of A research and innovation enterprise with a focus on translating big ideas into important new knowledge and using the power of that knowledge to improve lives and communities in Arizona and across the globe.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Ensure that matters requiring the attention of the SVPRI are thoroughly developed, researched, and evaluated, and exercise sound judgement in assisting the SVPRI with communications.
• Build and maintain successful working relationships and coordination with a wide range of offices, faculty, staff, and internal and external stakeholders, and serve as an institutional point of contact to resolve complex matters and advance strategic priorities.
• Anticipate, identify, and troubleshoot issues of concern or significance, exercising discretion to provide timely information and necessary updates across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Manage high-priority and timely issues and initiatives in close coordination with the SVPRI, senior leadership team, communications and other stakeholders.
• Oversee and contribute to the preparation, accuracy, and timeliness of materials, briefings, and correspondence on university, research and strategic matters.
• Participate in key meetings of faculty, staff, students, community members, and/or stakeholders with or on behalf of the SVPRI to ensure understanding of institutional priorities and to move forward strategic decision-making.
• Provide direct support to the SVPRI at select appearances requiring travel, and frequent evening and weekend work.
• Supervise the staff in the SVPRI Office, helping to lead and sustain a culture of teaming, service, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Prioritize the workflow and align staff resources within the Office and advise the SVPRI on maintaining an efficient operation and organization.
• Ensure the Office's resources are used efficiently and in line with the SVPRI's priorities, overseeing effective and accurate tracking of expenditures and projection of needs, including any collaborative projects with other units or external partners. Inform and advise the SVPRI on allocation of resources and annual prioritization for their use.
• Collaborate and oversee strategic planning and goal-setting and ensure alignment with relevant policies and procedures. Monitor and report progress on goals to the SVPRI and obtain and organize data and other information needed to support the functions, initiatives, and priorities of the SVPRI.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team on communications for internal and external audiences ensuring consistent representation of strategic priorities that meet high standards of excellence.
• Oversee and participate in senior leadership meetings and retreats, including the preparation of agendas and materials.
• Facilitate communication and workflow among all areas reporting to the SVPRI, and delegate assignments not requiring the SVPRI direct involvement and track progress to ensure timely completion.
• Provide leadership and oversight of departments or offices within the RII umbrella, as assigned, on a temporary or permanent basis to support organizational goals and priorities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Master's
  degree.
• Minimum
  of 11 years of related work experience, including 7 years of managerial
  experience, in large complex institutions or organizations, or equivalent
  combination of education and work experience. Requires experience in
  leading multiple teams, projects, programs, and/or functions.
• Record
  of accomplishment in developing effective and strategic partnerships
  across diverse stakeholder groups, driving toward achieving successful
  results.

• Doctoral degree with experience as a faculty member at a Carnegie R1 institution of higher education.
  
• Five of more years of experience in research and creative activity with a demonstrated track record of success.
  
• Experience with research funding and fund raising
  
• 5 or more years of senior or executive level experience in higher education, non-profit, or public sectors.
  
• Eligible to obtain tenure at the associate or full professor level in a relevant department