Chief of Staff to the Dean — Strategic Operations Partner

Howard University; Washington; On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Mental health support

PTO and holidays

Flexible work arrangements

403(b) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Career advancement paths

Wellness programs

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Howard University’s Graduate School seeks a Chief of Staff to serve as an operational partner and strategic advisor to the dean. The role leads cross-functional execution, aligns programs with the Dean's priorities, and manages high-level initiatives across academic and administrative functions.

The successful candidate will drive disciplined execution, coordinate schedules, and oversee critical projects with senior leaders and external partners to advance the school’s mission and strategic

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication for senior leaders and diverse audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving with ability to connect long-term goals to actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust across faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief integrator for the Graduate School’s strategic agenda.
• Translate the Dean’s vision into actionable plans, dashboards, and timelines.
• Manage the Dean’s time and briefing materials.
• Identify risks, barriers, and opportunities impacting implementation.
• Architect and manage the Dean’s office cadence, governance, and meetings.
• Prepare the Dean for high-stakes engagements and external presentations.
• Coordinate cross-unit initiatives and external partnerships.

Skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Discretion & judgment

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Howard University’s Graduate School seeks a Chief of Staff to serve as an operational partner and strategic advisor to the dean. The role leads cross-functional execution, aligns programs with the Dean's priorities, and manages high-level initiatives across academic and administrative functions.

The successful candidate will drive disciplined execution, coordinate schedules, and oversee critical projects with senior leaders and external partners to advance the school’s mission and strategic