Chief of Staff, Graduate School of Education: University of Pennsylvania

Chief of Staff to Dean, Graduate School of Education

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) seeks a Chief of Staff to serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Dean. This role sits at the center of the School’s leadership infrastructure and is responsible for advancing the Dean’s priorities through disciplined execution, cross‑functional coordination, and high‑level problem solving.

Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief of Staff is a key senior leader, translating strategy into action, overseeing critical initiatives, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and supporting decision‑making on matters of institutional importance.

• Serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Dean, playing a central role in advancing the school’s most critical priorities and strategic vision.
• Provides strategic counsel on institutional priorities, emerging issues, and organizational challenges.
• Leads the implementation and management of high‑impact strategic and operational projects aligned with the school’s vision.

• Drives progress on key priorities by coordinating across units, tracking deliverables, and ensuring accountability.
• Supports the effectiveness of the Senior Leadership Team by organizing meetings, structuring agendas, and ensuring alignment on goals, decisions, and implementation.
• Serves as a central point of coordination across the School, facilitating communication and collaboration among academic and administrative units.
• Works closely with the Dean’s Executive Assistant to manage the Dean’s time and attention, including prioritizing requests and preparing briefing materials.

• Drafts and coordinates communications on behalf of the Dean, including remarks, correspondence, and materials for internal and external audiences.
• Represents the Dean in meetings and engagements, as appropriate, with internal and external stakeholders.

• Oversees the planning and execution of Dean’s Office initiatives and events, including supervision of the Dean’s Office Coordinator.
• Manages sensitive and confidential matters with the highest level of discretion and professionalism.
• Undertakes additional responsibilities as needed to support the work of the Dean’s Office and the School.

• Master’s degree and a minimum of five to seven years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast‑paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to connect long‑term institutional goals to near‑term actions.
• Proven capacity to lead through influence, coordinate across diverse stakeholders, and drive initiatives to completion.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with careful attention to detail and a commitment to follow‑through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing materials for senior leaders and varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion, judgment, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across a wide range of constituencies.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership, engaging effectively with a diverse community.
• High degree of initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as needed to support the responsibilities of the role.

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range: $110,500 – $180,000 Annual Rate

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts
  :
  Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
• Tuition
  :
  Tuition assistance for the employee, spouse, and eligible dependent children, including assistance for dependent children at other institutions.
• Retirement
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  Generous Basic, Matching, and…