Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President of Operations

Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President of Operations

Yale University | Posted Mar 6 | Full-time | Connecticut | Unknown

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Operations (SVP), the Chief of Staff (CoS) will serve as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and key member of the leadership team. The role oversees leadership collaboration, guides cross‑functional initiatives, and ensures organizational alignment with the SVP’s vision. The CoS advances the SVP’s strategic agenda, monitors progress, coordinates key initiatives, and represents the SVP in internal and external contexts.

Partnering with other chiefs of staff across the institution, the role helps move priorities forward effectively. In a fast‑paced, high‑visibility environment, the CoS guides and consults with the SVP on day‑to‑day matters, ensuring the necessary information is available for sound decision‑making. Exceptional communication skills are required to liaise on behalf of the SVP with faculty, students, staff, and external stakeholders, triaging delicate matters and leading multiple initiatives across Operations in partnership with colleagues institution‑wide.

The CoS will manage multiple priorities with composure, flexibility, and a proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset. This is a primarily on‑site position, minimum four days per week, with potential after‑hours responsibilities and occasional travel.

• Enterprise Strategic and Operational Leadership:
  Demonstrated ability to lead strategy and operations at the enterprise level, aligning cross‑divisional stakeholders and translating institutional priorities into actionable plans. Proven success balancing competing demands, long‑term outcomes, and risk while maintaining focus on mission, governance expectations, and operational performance.
• Executive Judgment and Decision Support:
  Strong executive judgment with the ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous, and politically sensitive environments. Skilled at framing issues, options, risks, and trade‑offs to support timely, informed decision‑making by senior leadership.
• Ability to Influence Without Authority:
  Proven capability to build alignment and drive execution across diverse units without direct authority. Demonstrated success leveraging credibility, trust, relationship‑building, and institutional knowledge to achieve shared enterprise outcomes.
• Governance, Risk Management, and Accountability:
  Knowledge leading governance processes, decision‑making cadences, and escalation pathways. Ability to monitor enterprise risk and ensure accountability through coordinated follow‑through, tracking commitments, and partnering effectively with senior leaders and operational teams.

High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion. Advanced political awareness and understanding of complex institutional environments, including shared governance and academic or labor‑related contexts. Ability to anticipate stakeholder impact, manage conflict sensitively, and mitigate reputational and organizational risk.

• Serve as an advisor and representative of the SVP of Operations in resolving problems and inquiries. Work closely with university leadership in all planning functions of the University, including academic policies, budget, space, and personnel. Implement the Sr. VP's decisions and directives.
• Serve as a confidential resource and liaison for the SVP regarding developing issues and concerns. Review matters to be brought to the SVP’s attention and prepare background information. Analyze and manage sensitive issues exhibiting a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Advance and monitor progress on the SVP's initiatives. Identify, assign, prioritize and track specific assignments and projects.
• Facilitate and manage communications and collaboration among the SVP senior staff and the leadership of the University.
• Conduct research and assist with the development and drafting of university policy.
• Initiate and coordinate major planning projects and strategy arising in the SVP’s Office. Develop planning documents for the projects and…