Chief of Staff - Office of the CFO

Chief of Staff - Office of the CFO

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for Business & Finance / Chief Financial Officer, helping advance the College's financial, operational, administrative, governmental, and community engagement priorities. This role acts as an extension of the CFO's office, supporting cross-functional initiatives, strategic projects, institutional partnerships, government relations efforts, and executive communications.

The Chief of Staff focuses primarily on organizational effectiveness, project execution, stakeholder engagement, business development, and administrative coordination while maintaining familiarity with budgetary and financial matters. The position works closely with senior leadership, trustees, government officials, community partners, donors, business leaders, and external organizations to advance institutional objectives.

The successful candidate is a highly organized and collaborative professional who can manage complex initiatives, navigate competing priorities, build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and represent the Office of the CFO with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment. The individual must be comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, coordinating across departments, engaging with external partners, and supporting executive-level decision-making. Their ability to foster collaboration, build trust, and advance institutional priorities through effective relationship management will be essential to success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Executive Support

• Support the CFO in advancing institutional strategic priorities, operational initiatives, and special projects.
• Coordinate complex initiatives spanning multiple administrative and academic departments.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and executive summaries for the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.
• Manage follow-up and implementation of key decisions arising from Cabinet and Board meetings.
• Monitor strategic initiatives and project milestones, providing regular updates to the CFO.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner on institutional and operational matters.
• Manage special projects and initiatives assigned by the CFO.

Operations, Project Management, and Business Support

• Lead and coordinate high-priority institutional projects on behalf of the CFO.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication across administrative divisions.
• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and accountability structures.
• Support organizational improvement efforts, including process redesign, efficiency initiatives, and operational assessments.
• Identify operational risks and recommend solutions to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Monitor the status of institutional initiatives and ensure projects remain on schedule.

• Assist the CFO with budget planning, resource allocation discussions, and financial analyses related to strategic initiatives.
• Support financial due diligence activities related to partnerships, acquisitions, leases, contracts, and strategic investments.
• Coordinate with the Controller, Senior Associate- FP&A, and Business Office staff to assemble information needed for executive review.
• Assist in monitoring key performance indicators and institutional operating metrics.

Government, Community, and External Relations

• Support the CFO's engagement with regional business leaders, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings, communications, and outreach efforts with external partners, including those with local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Represent the College at community meetings, economic development events, and external engagements as assigned.

• Support efforts to secure state and federal funding opportunities, grants, and economic development resources.

Board Relations and Executive Communications

• Support preparation of Board of Trustees and committee meeting materials.
• Draft reports, presentations, speeches, talking points, correspondence, and other executive communications on behalf of the CFO.
• Assist in developing agenda materials and presentations for senior leadership meetings.
• Coordinate follow-up actions and communications resulting from Board and committee meetings.
• Ensure communications reflect institutional priorities and maintain a consistent professional tone.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information responsibly and discreetly.

Other Duties

• Participate in institutional committees, task forces, and working groups.
• Represent the Office of the CFO at internal and external meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Business & Finance / CFO.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Higher Education Administration, Communications,…