Chief of Staff to the Chancellor

Chief of Staff to the Chancellor

Working with Chancellor Gary S. May, this key role encompasses critical leadership opportunities supporting the mission and vision of UC Davis. Review the Candidate Profile link, the posted position description, and apply by Monday, May 25, 2026. For questions and nominations, please contact Michele Haynes, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Leadership Recruitment at mchaynes@ucdavis.edu.

Key Responsibilities Themes

Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment

• Serve as principal strategic advisor to the Chancellor on institutional priorities, policy matters, emerging risks, and executive decisions.
• Translate the Chancellor’s vision into actionable objectives and coordinated implementation strategies across academic and administrative units.
• Ensure alignment among Academic Affairs, Finance & Operations, Research, Student Affairs, Inclusive Excellence, Innovation, Advancement, and UC Davis Health.
• Monitor progress on strategic plans and institutional performance metrics; identify barriers and drive timely resolution.
• Lead and coordinate high-impact cross-campus initiatives on behalf of the Chancellor.
• Advise on organizational design, executive transitions, and structural alignment to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks that may impact institutional stability, reputation, or performance.

Shared Governance & Academic Engagement

• Support the Chancellor’s engagement with the Academic Senate and its leadership.
• Ensure transparent consultation and alignment with shared governance processes.
• Coordinate executive preparation for Senate meetings, Representative Assembly sessions, and systemwide Academic Council engagement.
• Maintain trust and credibility with faculty leadership while balancing operational and institutional imperatives.
• Facilitate alignment between academic priorities and administrative execution.

Executive Operations & Leadership Effectiveness

• Oversee operations of the Office of the Chancellor and ensure high-performing executive administrative functions.
• Establish disciplined executive workflow systems that promote timely decision-making, accountability, and follow-through.
• Lead agenda planning and facilitation for the Chancellor’s Leadership Council and Executive Leadership Team.
• Ensure preparation of high-quality briefing materials, policy analyses, decision memoranda, and executive communications.
• Represent the Chancellor in high-level meetings, negotiations, and cross-functional initiatives as appropriate.
• Provide candid counsel to the Chancellor while maintaining strict discretion and confidentiality.
• Support continuity of executive operations during leadership transitions or institutional change.

Administrative Oversight Responsibilities

In addition to strategic advisory responsibilities, the Chief of Staff exercises direct administrative authority over designated units within the Chancellor’s portfolio and holds responsibility for:

• Budget oversight and fiscal stewardship
• Personnel supervision and performance management
• Operational effectiveness and service excellence
• Institutional compliance and risk mitigation within assigned units
• Protection and responsible stewardship of institutional resources

Units Reporting to the Chief of Staff:

• Ceremonies and Special Events
• Ombuds Office (Administrative Oversight Only)
• Government and Community Relations
• Finance, Human Resources & Operations (Office of the Chancellor and Office of the Provost)

Systemwide & Regents Coordination

• Serve as senior liaison to the UC Office of the President.
• Coordinate preparation for Board of Regents meetings and committee presentations.
• Support and staff the Chancellor for Regents and systemwide engagements.
• Align campus positions with systemwide policy and strategic direction.
• Monitor and coordinate campus compliance with systemwide initiatives.

Health System Integration

• Support coordination among the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Human Health Sciences, and CEO of UC Davis Health.
• Ensure strategic alignment between campus and health enterprise priorities.
• Assist in navigating regulatory, clinical, academic medical center, and compliance considerations affecting both campuses.

Crisis & Issues Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor in response to institutional risks, reputational challenges, and crises.
• Anticipate and mitigate sensitive issues that may impact the institution.
• Coordinate executive-level response to student protests, faculty
• concerns, labor matters, research compliance issues, and other high-
• impact events.
• Convene cross-functional leadership teams during periods of institutional
• tension.
• Support transparent, values-aligned communication and institutional resilience planning.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.