Chief of Staff

Boise State University; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 108,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Retirement plan contributions

Medical and dental insurance

Tuition benefit

Job summary

Boise State University is seeking a Chief of Staff reporting to the President to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner. You will coordinate presidential priorities, improve organizational effectiveness, and direct Office of the President operations, translating priorities into action with executive leadership collaboration.

The role requires leading critical initiatives, managing complex projects, and serving as a liaison to campus leadership while supporting presidential

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
• 9–10 years relevant experience, including 5–6 years’ senior leadership managing managers and cross-functional programs.
• Level 2 requires 11–12 years experience with responsibility for multiple functional areas and budget authority.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to the President and coordinate strategic opportunities.
• Advance presidential initiatives and monitor implementation across campus.
• Lead the operations of the Office of the President and university leadership teams.
• Support fundraising and external engagement with senior officers and events.
• Handle special presidential assignments and governance improvements.

Skills

Senior leadership

Managing managers

Cross-functional programs

Institution-wide initiatives

Strategic advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Summary/Basic Function

Reporting to the President, the Chief of Staff serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner and is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. The Chief of Staff is responsible for coordinating presidential priorities, strengthening organizational effectiveness and directing assigned President’s Office operations. This position supports presidential decision-marking and translates presidential priorities and complex projects into action by partnering with other executive leaders to execute strategic initiatives, coordinating across teams, ensuring follow-through on key decisions, and maintaining high-level communications and stakeholder alignment. The position represents the President and communicates presidential direction within expressly delegated authority.

Level Scope

Recognized master in professional discipline with significant impact and influence on campus policy and program development. Establishes critical strategic and operational goals; develops and implements new products, processes, standards or operational plans to achieve strategies. Regularly leads projects of critical importance to the campus; these projects carry substantial consequences of success or failure. Requires significant influence and communication with executive leadership. Problems faced are frequently complex and multidimensional, requiring broad based consideration of variables that impact multiple areas of the organization.

This job may be filled at a Level 1 or Level 2, with essential functions and qualifications for each level listed below.

Essential Functions

Act as a trusted advisor and strategic resource for the President

• Collaborate with President and University Leaders to identify strategic opportunities both within and outside the university, then facilitate and coordinate initiatives to benefit the university.
• Collaborate with the President, Foundation, Public and External Affairs, Operations, Athletics, and Research and Economic Development in strategies to strengthen the College's connections with the local regional community, and Idaho State Board of Education.

Level 2 includes level 1, plus

• Provide analysis, confidential advice, and actionable recommendations to the President on institutional priorities, emerging issues, and operational concerns.
• As a member of the Executive Team, participates in executive-level discussions and decision-making by providing analysis and recommendations on matters affecting presidential priorities and University operations.

Advance Presidential initiatives, priorities, and projects

• Communicates and coordinates executive decisions and priorities with appropriate campus leadership and monitors assigned actions through implementation.
• Serves as a senior institutional liaison on behalf of the President, as delegated, communicating presidential priorities and expectations to divisional and campus leadership, facilitating resolution of matters requiring coordination among multiple organizational areas, and ensuring issues with significant University-wide implementations are appropriately elevated for executive consideration.
• Track and manage the projects or assignments with critical strategic and operational goals; develop and implement new or updated operational plans to achieve strategic goals.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership Team members to support and execute strategic internal and external projects and initiatives; regularly lead/facilitate projects of critical importance to campus.

Level 2 includes level 1, plus

• Manage complex and sensitive matters submitted for presidential review by assessing the nature, urgency, institutional impact, and appropriate level of executive involvement; obtaining and analyzing information from responsible divisions and leaders; identifying policy, operational, fiscal, legal, reputational, or stakeholder considerations; developing options or recommendations for presidential consideration; and coordinating communication and implementation of executive decisions.
• Provides executive-level strategic leadership to streamline and optimize university governance, leadership structures, and administrative operations-ensuring cross-functional alignment, clear accountability, and cohesive execution of high-priority institutional decisions.

Lead and coordinate the operations and priorities of the Office of the President and the University leadership teams

• Overall responsibility and oversight for the President’s office’s administrative functions working closely with the executive assistant to the president to ensure that the office of the president is a welcoming, safe, and professional environment for both staff and visitors.
• Directs the executive workflow to identify matters requiring executive consideration, established agenda priorities, evaluate readiness and completeness of proposed items, coordinate supporting analysis and materials, document executive decisions and commitments.
• Prepares agendas, coordinates and facilitates meetings, and university leadership structures, communications, meetings, and decisions.

Level 2 includes level 1, plus

• Manage complex and sensitive matters submitted for presidential review by assessing the nature, urgency, institutional impact, and appropriate level of executive involvement; obtaining and analyzing information from responsible divisions and leaders; identifying policy, operational, fiscal, legal, reputational, or stakeholder considerations; developing options or recommendations for presidential consideration; and coordinating communication and implementation of executive decisions.
• Provides executive-level strategic leadership to streamline and optimize university governance, leadership structures, and administrative operations-ensuring cross-functional alignment, clear accountability, and cohesive execution of high-priority institutional decisions.

Support the President’s fundraising and external engagement efforts

• In collaboration with Public and External Affairs staff and partners, ensure Presidential events meet Presidential protocol standards, the President is briefed ahead of key events, and university leadership is present when needed.
• Works with the President and senior officers to develop the President's calendar key events on and off campus, ensuring appropriate balance of support and engagement with all constituencies.
• Manage presidential correspondence, briefing materials, external visits, and executive events.

Special Presidential Assignments

• Provide strategic leadership for special projects, assessments, and administrative assignments specifically delegated by the President.
• Represents the Office of the President on working groups/committees as assigned.

Level 2 includes level 1, plus

Regularly serve as the President’s proxy with authority to make decisions and give direction on the President’s behalf.

Other Duties as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical decision making.
• Ensures compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
• Exhibits political acumen and strategic communication skills to navigate complex organizational dynamics, build institutional alignment, anticipate stakeholder interests, and advance strategic priorities.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness to successfully lead through influence, mediate conflicting priorities, and manage high-stakes executive interactions with composure and tact.
• Uses analysis, judgement, and innovation to resolve issues and improve outcomes.
• Aligns work with institutional strategy while leading innovation and continuous improvement.
• Applies specialized professional knowledge and continuously develops expertise.
• Builds productive relationships and collaborates effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Delivers responsive, high-quality service and builds trusted stakeholder relationships.
• Leads people and work through coaching, accountability, and strategic leadership.
• Plans, organizes, priorities, and executives work to achieve organizational objectives.
• Use business analysis, technology, and data to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrates attention to detail, ability to work independently and an ability to manage multiple tasks without oversight.

Minimum Qualifications

Level 1

• Bachelor’s degree; preferred Master’s degree
• 9-10 years relevant experience, including 5-6 years’ senior leadership experience managing managers, cross-functional programs, or major initiatives.

Level 2

• Bachelor’s degree; preferred Master’s degree
• 11-12 years relevant experience, including 7-8 years’ senior leadership experience, with demonstrated responsibility for multiple functional areas, significant budget authority, or institution-wide initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

Proven success in the same or similar type of role within the executive-level administration of a higher education institution.

Salary and Benefits

Salary ranges: Level 1: $107,619.20-$134,513.60 and Level 2: $163,467.20-$204,339.20 annually and are commensurate with experience.Boise State University provides a best-in-class

• 12paid holidaysAND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 10.76% University contribution to yourORP retirement fund(Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to yourPERSI retirement fund(Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and otherhealth-related insurancecoverages
• Tuition fee waiverbenefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
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About Us

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/