Deputy Chief of Staff

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Generous time off

Tuition assistance

Healthcare plans

Retirement plans

PSLF opportunity

Job summary

University of Minnesota Deputy Chief of Staff for Office Operations is responsible for translating executive priorities into daily operational excellence within the Office of the President. You will oversee internal office operations, supervise the administrative support team, and align processes with strategic goals to ensure agile and discreet execution.

Reporting to the President's Chief of Staff, you will drive project portfolios, implement continuous improvements, and maintain high

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, higher education administration, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible administrative and operations experience.
• Experience leading, supervising, coaching, and evaluating teams.
• Experience handling executive-level administrative operations.
• Exceptional written/oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct internal office operations, facilities management, budget tracking, and HR logistics.
• Supervise and develop executive administrative staff to build a high-performing team.
• Establish operating frameworks and standardized workflows across administrative functions.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to modernize processes.
• Develop dashboards and reporting for internal office goals.
• Represent the Office of the President on internal committees as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic communication

Team supervision

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, higher education administration, finance, or related field

Job description

Job Details

• Job ID: 376105
• Location: Twin Cities
• Job Family: Administration
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Job Code: 9352AO
• Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

The Deputy Chief of Staff for office operations serves as the operational leader within the Office of the President, translating executive priorities into daily operational excellence. Reporting directly to the President's Chief of Staff, this role focuses on internal office operations-overseeing operating frameworks, leading the administrative support team, streamlining business processes, and managing project portfolios. The position acts as a bridge between presidential strategy and initiatives and the internal administrative execution, ensuring the office operates with agility, efficiency, discretion, and strategic alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Office Operations & Administrative Leadership (50%)

• Direct internal office operations, managing facilities, space utilization, local budget tracking, technology integration, and HR logistics.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for executive administrative support staff, fostering a high-performing, service-oriented team culture.
• Establish, refine, and maintain operating frameworks to ensure consistent responsiveness, standardized workflows, and reliable follow-through across all administrative functions.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, discretion, and integrity when managing sensitive information and complex executive issues.
• Establish and maintain a culture of collaboration across the administrative teams that support the University's senior leadership team (including vice presidents, chancellors, collegiate deans, etc.)
• Serve as the office's University policy expert through advising team members and participating in policy review, consultation, and revision processes on behalf of the Office of the President.

Executive Support & Workflow Alignment (30%)

• Partner with the deputy chiefs of staff to align internal workflows, presidential meeting preparations, and briefing materials that directly support the president's strategic priorities and initiatives.
• Manage operational logistics, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements, ensuring strict compliance with University policies.
• Serve as an internal operational liaison to other University leaders and administrative staff to resolve issues and administrative bottlenecks.

Project Management & Continuous Improvement (20%)

• Lead concurrent internal office projects and operational initiatives, ensuring accountability, clear timelines, and systematic tracking of commitments.
• Apply Lean principles and continuous improvement frameworks to streamline administrative processes, eliminate redundant workflows, modernize technology usage, and create a culture of continuous improvement.
• Establish operational dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track progress on internal office goals.
• Represent the Office of the President on internal committees and operational matters as needed and requested.

Work Hours

• 7:45am - 4:30pm

Work Mode

• In-person Currently, 4 days in the office - Mondays - Thursdays, with Friday remote, based on business need. Occasional evening and weekend flexibility based on operational needs, including on-site staffing for 2-3 home football games during the fall season. Subject to change as dictated by business needs.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, higher education administration, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible administrative and operations experience within a complex organization.
• Experience leading, supervising, coaching, and evaluating teams and staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in project management and continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrated experience handling executive-level administrative operations.
• Exceptional written/oral communication skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Higher Education Leadership.
• PMP, Lean/Six Sigma, or Change Management (e.g., Prosci) certification.
• Prior experience within a higher education institution or major public system, with knowledge of institutional governance structure.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $120,000 - $140,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment; 12 month

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.