Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
7–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, complex organizations, consulting, communications, or mission-driven enterprises.
Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional initiatives and executive-level projects.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
High emotional intelligence and political acumen.
Proven ability to operate with discretion and sound judgment.
Interest in representing, understanding, and supporting John Carroll’s Jesuit Catholic mission to inspire individuals of intellect and character to learn, lead, and serve in the community and throughout the world.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree.
Data Visualization (Tableau/Looker)
Customer Relationship Management ( CRM ) experience
Experience serving in or supporting executive leadership and/or governance bodies preferred.

Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Advising and Vision Translation

Partner closely with the President and other senior leaders to translate strategic vision into actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.
Lead integration efforts across academic and administrative units to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and goals.
Support the development and execution of multi-year institutional priorities (e.g., student experience innovation, enrollment growth, national expansion).
Monitor progress against key institutional priorities and provide regular executive- level performance insights.
Facilitate strategic planning processes, executive retreats, and senior leader professional development.

Organizational Integration

Serve as a cross-functional connector across the Senior Leadership Team ( SLT ), academic leadership, and administrative units.
Coordinate enterprise-wide initiatives requiring collaboration across divisions.
Reinforce shared understanding of institutional priorities and track execution.
Design and manage leadership cadence structures ( SLT agendas, retreats, cross- functional councils).
Act as a central integration point for major initiatives and special projects.
Establish and maintain accountability frameworks (e.g., RACI models) to clarify decision rights and ownership.

Executive Communications & Messaging

Develop and manage a comprehensive internal and external communications cadence aligned with presidential priorities across multiple channels.
With the President and communications team, draft speeches, presentations, board materials, campus communications, and public messaging.
Identify strategic platforms and speaking opportunities to amplify the President’s voice and institutional narrative.
Establish and nurture relationships with business, civic, philanthropic, and higher education leaders, coordinating closely with University Advancement, Academic Affairs Office, Onward Launch Taskforce, and the Onward Steering Committee.
Coordinate closely with Integrated Marketing & Communications, particularly the AVP and Directors of Content Strategy and Public Relations to ensure consistent brand alignment and message discipline.
Ensure effective executive storytelling tied to institutional mission and strategic objectives; prepare the President for all public engagements, and accompany or represent the President when appropriate to ensure maximum reach and effectiveness.
Serve as official university spokesperson.

Culture Stewardship, Internal Communications & Change Management

Manage internal communications strategy for faculty, staff, and students on behalf of the Office of the President and the SLT , including event mix, messaging and SLT presence in order to advance the president’s priority of transparent leadership and communication.
Lead change management planning and communications for major initiatives.
Facilitate leadership development efforts and cross-divisional trust-building.
Support leadership team effectiveness and alignment.
Reinforce institutional culture grounded in mission and values.
Serve as an advocate for institutional culture, staying closely tuned to campus morale and sharing meaningful, honest perspectives with the President and other senior leaders.

Executive Operations & Strategic Project Management

Oversee workflow management within the President’s Office to ensure effective prioritization and decision-making.
Support structured decision processes and implementation of accountability tools.
Lead and coordinate high-impact special projects and cross-functional strategic initiatives.
Coordinate with the Executive Assistant to prepare briefing materials, decision memos, and follow-up action tracking.
Ensure alignment between presidential commitments and institutional capacity.
Supervise the Onward Project Manager and join the Onward Steering Committee as a core contributor and proxy for the President.

Crisis & Issues Management

Support the President and SLT in managing reputational, financial, academic, and student-life risks.
Assist in proactive scenario planning and risk mitigation strategies at least quarterly.
Coordinate executive response efforts during crises.
Ensure communication consistency during sensitive situations.

Governance & Board Engagement

Serve as a formal liaison and execute high-level strategy for Board of Directors engagement initiatives.
Partner with the Executive Assistant in preparation for and execution of Board of Directors meetings and committee engagement.
Provide guidance to the Executive Assistant in coordinating board communications, materials, and follow-up.
Facilitate alignment between administration and faculty governance bodies.
Ensure strategic issues are clearly framed for governance deliberation.

External Proxy & University Relations

Represent the institution in key business, civic, philanthropic, and community forums as delegated by the President.
Develop and execute a visibility strategy for the President and each member of the SLT .
Strengthen institutional relationships within regional and national networks.
Serve as primary contact and relationship manager with the cities of University Heights and Shaker Heights.
Facilitate the relationship with the university’s government relations advisors and manage advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
Identify and manage strategic partnerships and associations that advance institutional priorities.

Supervision of Staff

The Chief of Staff may directly supervise additional department or unit leaders, as assigned by the President.

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