Chief of Staff

The University of Austin (UATX) is devoted to the values that have made American society dynamic and free: open inquiry, intellectual curiosity & rigor, and the fearless pursuit of truth. The university is deeply rooted in a classical education with a significant emphasis on STEM. The Chief of Staff will serve as a deputy, gatekeeper and thought-partner to the President. You will double as project manager for the President and air traffic controller for the team. Helping to pave our mission and broader vision, you’ll establish alignment across UATX and hold not only the President, but the team accountable for key goals. Fundamentally, the Chief of Staff will multiply the capacity of our President and get a hands-on, front row seat to building an institution. In serving as a sounding board to the President, you should feel comfortable articulating your viewpoints. The Chief of Staff should love nothing more than a to-do list and the hustle associated with touching nearly all aspects of the University. No task is too big or too small for you to handle. You’re energized by context-switching and feel confident tackling the minutiae of scheduling and day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities

• Maximize the President’s potential, alleviating bandwidth constraints by strategically orchestrating his day-to-day operations
• Identify key focus areas and develop associated KPIs, transforming ambiguity into action. Consistently reevaluate initiatives and hold team members accountable
• Attend select meetings with the President, helping to develop the agenda, preparation and notes. Facilitate next steps to ensure no balls are dropped
• Spearhead both internal and external communications from the President
• Manage the President’s calendar, ensuring that all scheduling is optimized to his daily workflow and meetings are prioritized in tandem with institutional goals
• Proactively assess information and frame decisions for the President. Always think one step ahead to anticipate potential obstacles, brainstorm solutions and recognize when to flag dynamics and issues
• Dive into special projects to help the President evaluate opportunities
• Support relationships with external partners to ensure engagements are running smoothly
  
  
  
  
  

Requirements

• 3 years in a management consulting, business development, project management, communications or executive assistant role
• Fast, adaptive learner and creative problem solver. You enjoy flexing between quick thinking and strategic planning
• Genuine passion for the mission and principles of UATX
• Exceptional communicator that values collaboration, mentorship, and a culture of learning
• Strong writing abilities, impeccable grammar, sense of humor, and a quick wit
• Expertise in project management, with demonstrated ability to wrangle and set the course for large teams of internal or external collaborators. Keen to evaluate and leverage new technology to drive operational efficiencies within the office of the President
• An expert in diplomacy, comfortable being privy to and guarding sensitive information
• Values honesty and direct feedback to ensure UATX embodies its core tenets and lives up to its potential
  
  
  
  
  

Chief of Staff isn't a fit if

• You prefer to work solo with clearly defined expectations
• You don’t find a packed day to be exhilarating
• You like to dive deep into one focus area
• You don’t tend to believe that anything is possible
• Attention to detail isn’t your strong suit
• You don’t enjoy writing or spending time in an inbox