Chief of Staff

Job Details

  • Position Title : Chief of Staff
  • Job Type : Full Time
  • Institution/Organization : Salt Lake Community College
  • Location (city, state) or remote : Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Published Date :
  • Application Deadline : July 20, 2025

The Position:

The Chief of Staff (COS) serves as a strategic advisor and partner to the President, supporting the executive team in implementing the President’s priorities and the strategic plan of the College. This new role oversees presidential initiatives and special projects. In addition, it provides leadership and oversight for the College’s institutional effectiveness, legal, and audit staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the President, the Chief of Staff will be a member of the Cabinet and will coordinate the internal work of the Cabinet. The COS will monitor and track progress for Cabinet-level strategies and plans, helping the College’s executive team meet timelines and milestones. Through supervision of the College’s institutional effectiveness office, the COS will support data-informed decision-making and progress tracking. The COS will coordinate strategic presidential communication and will ensure effective internal communication among members of the Cabinet. The COS will develop and oversee strategic and operational planning structures and processes, facilitating participation by work teams and involvement by the broader college in executing strategies and plans. The COS will identify and analyze problems and barriers to progress and facilitate collaborative solutions.

Job Duties:

As a Strategic Advisor and Partner to the President, the Chief of Staff will:

·         Develop, plan, coordinate, support, and/or lead strategic and special initiatives and projects for the President.

·         Provide strategic advice to the President and keep the President apprised of significant issues.

·         Assist the President with ad hoc emergent matters and troubleshooting as needed.

·         Represent the President on various committees and oversee standing committees that report to the President.

To Support the Work of the President’s Executive Team, the Chief of Staff will:

·         Provide coordination support within the executive team for implementing the President’s priorities.

·         Serve as a liaison and provide coordination support to the President’s other direct reports.

·         Coordinate and oversee searches for positions reporting to the President.

As an Administrative Supervisor, the Chief of Staff will:

·         Oversee the daily operations and internal functioning of Institutional Effectiveness, Office of the General Counsel, and Internal Audit.

·         Oversee the growth plan for specific programs in coordination with the President and provide status reports to the board and funders as needed.

·         Ensure the coverage and completion of leadership and management responsibilities in the absence of a Vice President.

·         Monitor and advance strategy and plans for growth and eventual expansion of programs.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

·         Capacity to translate high-level strategy into operational plans that advance the achievement of key institutional goals.

·         Exceptional organizational and time management skills.

·         Able to support strategic communication by President Peterson with College stakeholders.

·         Attention to detail and accuracy.

·         Ability to adapt to changing priorities and demands.

·         Skilled in analysis and use of data for decision making.

·         Ability to see and think ahead and take initiative in addressing emergent issues.

·         Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate issues and opportunities.

·         Ability to convene, motivate, and lead both standing teams and ad hoc groups focused on particular issues.

·         Strong leadership and management skills.

·         Ability to work well under pressure with a high level of emotional intelligence and diplomacy.

·         Expertise in process improvement and project management fostering a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.

·         Significant experience in executive support roles, preferably at a senior level.

·         Experience in managing complex projects and initiatives with multiple priorities and deadlines.

·         Proven ability to provide outstanding customer service to stakeholders.

·         Possesses written and verbal communication that facilitate effective communication with different stakeholders.

·         A collaborative work and communication style with the ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

·         Commitment to the College’s mission, vision, and values.

Minimum Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related management field.

·         Ten years of related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Master’s degree.

·         Familiarity with federal and state education regulations, student advisement, and technical education policies.

·         Project management certifications and/or Six Sigma certifications.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

·         Responsive Community College: Salt Lake Community College is responsive to the needs of its students and the various communities it serves.

·         Opportunity for Impact: The Chief of Staff will join a team of transformative and strategic leaders and will support plans and initiatives to improve the College’s service to the Salt Lake region’s people.

·         Location: The Salt Lake area offers a lively mix of city life and nearby natural beauty. The greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area has grown to a population of over one million people. The region’s growing diversity fuels a lively and diverse cultural scene.

·         Compensation and Benefits: Highly competitive salary and benefits package.

  • July 20, 2025