Chief of Staff

Job Description

St. Norbert College, a nationally ranked, private, Catholic, liberal arts college, is seeking a Chief of Staff (CoS). This position serves as a trusted strategic and administrative partner to the President, supporting the advancement of the College's mission, institutional priorities, and initiatives. The Chief of Staff provides support and insight in planning, policy development, project management, communication, problem-solving, and the coordination of key internal and external activities of the President and the President's Office. The role manages the day-to-day operations and initiatives of the President's Office in a highly detail-oriented, confidential, and professional manner. Through frequent interaction with trustees, administrators, faculty fellows, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and friends of the College, the Chief of Staff builds strong relationships and helps ensure that the President's Office represents the College with professionalism, responsiveness, and care.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Education -

- Bachelor's Degree.
- Master's degree in higher education administration, business administration, organizational leadership, communications, or a related field preferred.

Experience and Credentials -

- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive administration, institutional planning, project management, data analysis and reporting, operations, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience supporting senior-level leaders with data and analysis to support decision-making and competency managing complex, sensitive, and confidential matters in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating cross-functional projects, including the development of work plans, timelines, deliverables, accountability measures, and progress reports.
- Experience working with, monitoring, and reporting on institutional research data related to key institutional performance metrics.
- Experience preparing executive-level communications, including correspondence, briefing materials, presentations, talking points, reports, and other written materials for varied internal and external audiences.
- Experience managing calendars, meetings, event logistics, and follow-up for senior leaders or executive teams.
- Experience with budget monitoring, invoice and payment processing, purchasing-card reconciliation, or other financial and administrative processes.
- Higher education, nonprofit, government, or other mission-driven organizational experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a mission-focused, student-centered, and performance-based campus environment that creates a strong sense of belonging for all community members

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities -

- Knowledge of and strong commitment to the College's Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts mission, along with a willingness to actively participate in the life of the College.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate change among all constituent groups including the strategic direction of the College to become a more hybrid campus to better serve the needs of all learners.
- Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and monthly reports of progress to the President.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, concise, and appropriately tailored communications on behalf of the President.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information, personnel matters, institutional issues, and executive communications.
- Ability to build productive relationships, work collaboratively, and manage conflict with senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community partners, and other College constituents.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, anticipate needs, and respond effectively to changing circumstances and frequent interruptions.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to establish systems for tracking decisions, action items, deadlines, and strategic initiatives.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, document outcomes, and support accountability for agreed-upon actions and commitments.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex calendars and coordinate meetings, meals, events, travel, and other logistical details with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, calendar-management tools, shared digital filing systems, presentation software, and financial or expense-management systems; ability to learn new technologies as needed.
- Ability to maintain accurate, organized, secure, and accessible electronic records and confidential files.
- Strong attention to detail, responsiveness, and commitment to providing professional and welcoming service as a representative of the Office of the President.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining close communication and alignment with the President, senior leadership, and deans and directors, as appropriate.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends in support of the President, events, campus functions, and other institutional priorities.

Benefits package:
The College offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan; paid time-off and tuition waiver.

Application instructions:
This position will be posted for a minimum of five business days, and applications will be reviewed upon receipt until the position is filled.

Applicants are required to submit a letter describing how their professional experience, leadership approach, and personal qualities align with the mission and values of St. Norbert College. This letter should address how the candidate would actively advance the Catholic, Liberal Arts, and Norbertine traditions in the context of this role. Mission alignment will be considered a significant factor in the evaluation process.

St. Norbert College (SNC), a Catholic, Norbertine, and Liberal Arts College, provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual, and personal development. As the only Norbertine institution of higher learning in the world, our roots, traditions, and commitments create a unique and enriching educational experience for our students.

At SNC, our commitment to communio - the Norbertine ideal of one heart, one mind in God - is grounded in the principles of truth, dignity, and justice. Consistent with these principles, St. Norbert is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

We seek those who will embrace our mission and are committed to building a vibrant, welcoming, and spiritually engaged community (https://www.snc.edu/mission/gettingtoknow.html).

About the Employer

As one of the nation's top Catholic liberal arts colleges, St. Norbert enjoys a proud history and a foundation rooted in tradition. When Norbert of Xanten founded the Norbertine order of priests in the 12th century, he could little have imagined the impact his life and mission would have on the world nearly nine centuries later. Today, at St. Norbert College, the spirit of Norbert lives through this modern, bustling riverfront community dedicated to transforming and empowering a new generation of world-changers.

St. Norbert was named one of the 2026 "Best in the Midwest" by The Princeton Review.

St. Norbert College has approximately 1,600 undergraduate students, a 4-year graduation guarantee, 14:1 student-faculty ratio, an average GPA of 3.58, and 27 NCAA Division III sports.