Chief of Staff

Engineering Management Student Association (EMSA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 193,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California seeks a Chief of Staff for the Office of the Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations in Los Angeles. The role advises the EVP, oversees staff and budget, and coordinates across schools and units to advance strategic priorities.

Responsibilities include leading day-to-day operations, developing plans and performance measures, and serving as a liaison with university leadership and external partners. Deadline for full consideration is December 6, 2026.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or combined experience and education as a substitute for the minimum education requirement.
• Seven (7) years of directly related administrative management experience in a university, corporate or similarly complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated experience planning, organizing and supporting the operations of a large, complex organization.
• Thorough knowledge of management principles, budgeting, finance and applicable laws and regulations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to establish credibility and build productive relationships throughout an organization.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence and judgment to communicate candidly with senior leaders.
• Ability to use technology efficiently and effectively in support of operational and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor and thought partner to the EVP, providing candid counsel, sound judgment and a broad institutional perspective.
• Help maximize the EVP’s effectiveness by identifying priorities, anticipating needs and creating additional capacity to address complex financial, operational and organizational matters.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the EVP’s office, including staff leadership, budget administration, workflow, resource allocation and operational planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across USC, creating connections among schools, administrative units and university leaders to advance shared priorities.
• Facilitate collaboration and cooperation across organizational boundaries, bringing together multiple perspectives and helping stakeholders navigate complex or sensitive issues.
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic plans, priorities and performance measures, including processes for monitoring progress and ensuring appropriate follow-through.
• Coordinate short- and long-range initiatives, integrating competing requests and priorities in alignment with the EVP’s objectives and the university’s broader mission.
• Lead and support special projects, including conducting analyses, evaluating proposed initiatives, interpreting findings and developing recommendations.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the EVP’s office and university leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, donors, civic leaders and other internal and external partners.
• Directly or indirectly manage administrative and professional staff, establishing effective organizational structures, staffing priorities and performance expectations.
• Oversee the office’s financial activities, including expenditures, financial reporting, trend analysis and budget forecasting.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operations, improve communication and create greater coordination and efficiency across the university.
• Recommend, interpret and implement policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate compliance and consistent application.
• Address complex or sensitive matters referred to the EVP’s office and work with appropriate stakeholders to determine an effective path forward.
• Oversee executive-level meetings, events and special initiatives, including the preparation of agendas, presentations, correspondence, briefing materials and other supporting documentation.
• Represent the EVP on university committees, councils, task forces and other internal or external groups, as requested.
• Remain informed of current events, legislation and emerging issues that may affect the university or the EVP’s portfolio.

Education

Master’s degree or combined experience and education as a substitute for the minimum education requirement

Job description

Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations

Los Angeles, CA

Job ID: REQ20182623

Job Summary

The Office of the Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations is seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as a senior advisor and trusted partner to the Executive Vice President (EVP). Reporting directly to the EVP, the Chief of Staff will help extend the EVP’s capacity to address complex issues, advance strategic priorities and effectively lead a broad portfolio of financial and operational functions.

The Chief of Staff will oversee the day-to-day operations of the EVP’s office while helping connect priorities, people and initiatives across the university. This individual will build strong relationships and networks throughout USC, facilitate collaboration across organizational boundaries and ensure appropriate coordination and follow-through on matters requiring the EVP’s attention.

The successful candidate will be a confident, highly collaborative leader who communicates with candor, exercises sound judgment and is comfortable offering direct and thoughtful counsel. The Chief of Staff must be willing to challenge assumptions, raise concerns and provide an independent perspective, while remaining flexible and supportive. A cooperative working style, strong interpersonal instincts and the ability to build trust at all levels of the university will be essential.

For full consideration, please submit materials by the priority deadline of December 6, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor and thought partner to the EVP, providing candid counsel, sound judgment and a broad institutional perspective.
• Help maximize the EVP’s effectiveness by identifying priorities, anticipating needs and creating additional capacity to address complex financial, operational and organizational matters.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the EVP’s office, including staff leadership, budget administration, workflow, resource allocation and operational planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across USC, creating connections among schools, administrative units and university leaders to advance shared priorities.
• Facilitate collaboration and cooperation across organizational boundaries, bringing together multiple perspectives and helping stakeholders navigate complex or sensitive issues.
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic plans, priorities and performance measures, including processes for monitoring progress and ensuring appropriate follow-through.
• Coordinate short- and long-range initiatives, integrating competing requests and priorities in alignment with the EVP’s objectives and the university’s broader mission.
• Lead and support special projects, including conducting analyses, evaluating proposed initiatives, interpreting findings and developing recommendations.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the EVP’s office and university leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, donors, civic leaders and other internal and external partners.
• Directly or indirectly manage administrative and professional staff, establishing effective organizational structures, staffing priorities and performance expectations.
• Oversee the office’s financial activities, including expenditures, financial reporting, trend analysis and budget forecasting.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operations, improve communication and create greater coordination and efficiency across the university.
• Recommend, interpret and implement policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate compliance and consistent application.
• Address complex or sensitive matters referred to the EVP’s office and work with appropriate stakeholders to determine an effective path forward.
• Oversee executive-level meetings, events and special initiatives, including the preparation of agendas, presentations, correspondence, briefing materials and other supporting documentation.
• Represent the EVP on university committees, councils, task forces and other internal or external groups, as requested.
• Remain informed of current events, legislation and emerging issues that may affect the university or the EVP’s portfolio.

Perform other related duties as assigned. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or combined experience and education as a substitute for the minimum education requirement.
• Seven (7) years of directly related administrative management experience in a university, corporate or similarly complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated experience planning, organizing and supporting the operations of a large, complex organization.
• Thorough knowledge of management principles, budgeting, finance and applicable laws and regulations.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to establish credibility and build productive relationships throughout an organization.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence and judgment to communicate candidly with senior leaders.
• Ability to use technology efficiently and effectively in support of operational and organizational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative or operational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within an academic institution or similarly complex, mission-driven organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful and highly organized leader who can manage competing priorities, navigate sensitive matters and bring sound judgment to complex challenges. They will have experience advising a senior executive, leading through others and working with senior leaders and other high-level stakeholders. Success in this role will also require the ability to build relationships across a large, complex organization, offer an independent perspective and remain collaborative when decisions differ from their recommendations.

Required Documents And Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be submitted as one attachment).

The annual base salary range for this position is $193,000 - $250,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive Total Rewards program that includes health and welfare benefits, retirement programs, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and other resources designed to support employees and their families.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.