Chief of Staff, Student Academic Engagement & Success; HR Director PRO

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools:
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) is a multi-unit division within SMU’s Office of the Provost focused on helping undergraduates persist, thrive, and graduate. It spans Honors and Scholars, Experiential Learning, Career Services and Professional Development, Student Advising and Academic Success, General Education and Pre-Major Academic Records, and University Foundations, supported by central teams for budget, data and systems, and operations.

Working with partners across the University, it leads a shared retention and graduation strategy and is mission-driven, collaborative, and data-informed. Its work reaches across schools, faculty and staff, and academic and student-facing offices, and it measures success by what happens for students: persistence, progress, and graduation. Each effort depends on coordination among leaders and teams who do not share a reporting line, and on shared priorities, clear ownership, and reliable follow-through.

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Chief of Staff serves as a senior strategic and operational partner to the Associate Provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES). The position is responsible for ensuring that the priorities of the Associate Provost are translated into coordinated strategy, effective operations, clear accountability, and measurable results across the division.

Working closely with the Associate Provost, the Chief of Staff provides leadership for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Associate Provost, helps develop and advance student academic success strategy, coordinates cross-functional initiatives, and ensures effective communication and execution across the division.

The Chief of Staff directly supervises key administrative and operational functions within the office, including staff responsible for data and systems management and budget and financial management. The Chief of Staff ensures that financial, operational, and data resources are aligned with divisional priorities and that the Associate Provost has the information necessary to make timely and informed decisions.

The Chief of Staff also represents the Associate Provost in designated working meetings, committees, and project teams, providing continuity in decision-making and ensuring appropriate follow-through. The position works in close partnership…