Chief of Staff to the Chancellor (EXEC ADVISOR MGR 3)

In partnership with the campus Chief Strategy Officer, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Chancellor serves as a senior strategic advisor, executive integrator, and operational leader supporting the Chancellor of UC Davis. The Chief of Staff advances institutional priorities across the Davis campus and UC Davis Health, ensuring enterprise-wide alignment, operational excellence, and effective shared governance engagement.

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Chief of Staff is a core member of the Chancellor's Executive Leadership Team. The Chief of Staff represents and acts on behalf of the Chancellor with delegated authority as appropriate, serving as a trusted advisor and institutional leader in high-visibility and politically sensitive environments.

This role combines strategic counsel with direct administrative oversight of key units within the Chancellor's portfolio. The Chief of Staff ensures disciplined execution of Chancellor-level priorities; strengthens executive leadership effectiveness; advances legislative, community, and systemwide engagement; and safeguards the institution's financial, operational, and reputational integrity.

Apply By Date

Monday, May 25, 2026 by 11:59p Pacific; screening and selection can begin any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; terminal degree preferred.
• Extensive years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in higher education, healthcare, government, or comparably complex institutions.
• Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership in politically and publicly visible environments.
• Strong understanding of shared governance in a highly complex setting.
• Experience overseeing administrative operations, budgets, and personnel.
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated discretion, sound judgment, and high emotional intelligence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within higher education environment.
• Experience working in or alongside an academic health center.
• Experience in research-intensive, AAU-level institutions.
• Familiarity with Academic Senate governance structures.
• Knowledge of state legislative and budget processes.
• Knowledge of federal legislative and budget processes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment (20%)

• Serve as principal strategic advisor to the Chancellor on institutional priorities, policy matters, emerging risks, and executive decisions.
• Translate the Chancellor's vision into actionable objectives and coordinated implementation strategies across academic and administrative units.
• Ensure alignment among Academic Affairs, Finance & Operations, Research, Student Affairs, Inclusive Excellence, Innovation, Advancement, and UC Davis Health.
• Monitor progress on strategic plans and institutional performance metrics; identify barriers and drive timely resolution.
• Lead and coordinate high-impact cross-campus initiatives on behalf of the Chancellor.
• Advise on organizational design, executive transitions, and structural alignment to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks that may impact institutional stability, reputation, or performance.

Shared Governance & Academic Engagement (10%)

• Support the Chancellor's engagement with the Academic Senate and its leadership.
• Ensure transparent consultation and alignment with shared governance processes.
• Coordinate executive preparation for Senate meetings, Representative Assembly sessions, and systemwide Academic Council engagement.
• Maintain trust and credibility with faculty leadership while balancing operational and institutional imperatives.
• Facilitate alignment between academic priorities and administrative execution.

Executive Operations & Leadership Effectiveness (15%)

• Oversee operations of the Office of the Chancellor and ensure high-performing executive administrative functions.
• Establish disciplined executive workflow systems that promote timely decision-making, accountability, and follow-through.
• Lead agenda planning and facilitation for the Chancellor's Leadership Council and Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure preparation of high-quality briefing materials, policy analyses, decision memoranda, and executive communications.
• Represent the Chancellor in high-level meetings, negotiations, and cross-functional initiatives as appropriate.
• Provide candid counsel to the Chancellor while maintaining strict discretion and confidentiality.
• Support continuity of executive operations during leadership transitions or institutional change.

Administrative Oversight Responsibilities (20%)

In addition to strategic advisory responsibilities, the Chief of Staff exercises direct administrative authority over designated units within the Chancellor's portfolio and holds responsibility for:

• Budget oversight and fiscal stewardship
• Personnel supervision and performance management
• Operational effectiveness and service excellence
• Institutional compliance and risk mitigation within assigned units
• Protection and responsible stewardship of institutional resources

Units Reporting to the Chief of Staff:

Ceremonies and Special Events

• Provide executive oversight of major institutional ceremonies and high-profile campus events.
• Ensure events reflect institutional values, strategic messaging, and executive priorities.
• Coordinate event planning across Advancement, Strategic Communications, Student Affairs, and UC Davis Health.

Ombuds Office (Administrative Oversight Only)

• Provide administrative and budgetary oversight while preserving the Ombuds Office's neutrality, confidentiality, and independence.
• Ensure adequate resources consistent with UC and international Ombuds standards.
• Receive and assess systemic or policy-level trends identified by the Ombuds, without involvement in confidential case matters.

Government and Community Relations

• Oversee campus and health legislative strategy in coordination with UC systemwide Government Relations.
• Align advocacy efforts with institutional priorities and budget strategy.
• Coordinate preparation for Regents meetings, legislative hearings, and state and federal engagement.
• Strengthen regional partnerships in Davis, Sacramento, and Northern California.
• Lead coordinated institutional responses to public policy developments affecting the campus and health enterprise.

Finance, Human Resources & Operations (Office of the Chancellor and Office of the Provost)

• Provide administrative leadership for shared finance, HR, and operational services.
• Partner closely with the Provost and senior members their team to ensure alignment with academic priorities.
• Ensure fiscal discipline, talent management excellence, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with systemwide and campus policy.
• Establish service standards and continuous improvement processes for executive administrative functions.

Systemwide & Regents Coordination (10%)

• Serve as senior liaison to the UC Office of the President.
• Coordinate preparation for Board of Regents meetings and committee presentations.
• Support and staff the Chancellor for Regents and systemwide engagements.
• Align campus positions with systemwide policy and strategic direction.
• Monitor and coordinate campus compliance with systemwide initiatives.

Health System Integration (10%)

• Support coordination among the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Human Health Sciences, and CEO of UC Davis Health.
• Ensure strategic alignment between campus and health enterprise priorities.
• Assist in navigating regulatory, clinical, academic medical center, and compliance considerations affecting both campuses.

Crisis & Issues Management (15%)

• Serve as a trusted advisor in response to institutional risks, reputational challenges, and crises.
• Anticipate and mitigate sensitive issues that may impact the institution.
• Coordinate executive-level response to student protests, faculty
• concerns, labor matters, research compliance issues, and other high-
• impact events.
• Convene cross-functional leadership teams during periods of institutional
• tension.
• Support transparent, values-aligned communication and institutional resilience planning.

Department Overview

UC Davis is a comprehensive public research university and academic health system distinguished by:

• A strong Academic Senate and shared governance tradition
• A dual-campus structure (Davis and Sacramento/UC Davis Health)
• Significant federal research funding and national leadership in agriculture, human health, and veterinary medicine
• Proximity to Sacramento and substantial state legislative engagement
• Active labor relations within a unionized workforce
• High public visibility and robust student engagement

The Chief of Staff must operate effectively across this broad, complex, and highly visible enterprise.

Position Information

• Full Salary Grade Range: $177,300.00 - $388,700.00
• Salary Frequency: Annually, paid monthly
• Salary Grade: Grade 30
• UC Job Title: EXEC ADVISOR MGR 3
• UC Job Code: 000559
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): TBD
• Location: Mrak (MRAK)
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Under the provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974, the successful candidate will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests. Confidential designation.

Special Requirements

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks

#LI-DNI