How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your:
- Specific interest in this position, and;
- Skills and experience which directly relate to this position
Note: In order for the career portal system to accept the cover letter, please include this as the first page of your resume document, so that you are submitting only ONE combined document. This combined document will be reviewed to assess how you meet the stated qualifications, including your written communication skills.
Who We Are
The School of Kinesiology (SOK) is currently the fourth largest school at the University of Michigan - the top public research institution in the country. Currently, we have three undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs, and 35 research labs and centers. We are proud to occupy the fully renovated School of Kinesiology Building, a 221,600 gross square foot space adjacent to the Diag. It is an exciting time to be in the School of Kinesiology; read more about us here!
Job Summary
The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic advisor to the Dean of the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology and supports the Dean in advancing the School's mission, priorities, and long-term goals. In close collaboration with the Dean and the SOK leadership team, the Chief of Staff drives the strategic planning process and institutional initiatives, enables high-quality decision-making, and ensures alignment between SOK strategy, executive communications, and marketing efforts to advance the School's mission, visibility, and impact.
This executive leadership role drives alignment, prioritization, and coordinated execution of the Dean's vision across academic, research, and administrative domains. The Chief of Staff works closely, and facilitates shared ownership of strategic priorities, with the Associate Deans, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Chief Development Officer, Senior Assistant to the Dean, and Senior Director of Communications. The position fosters cohesion among academic, administrative, development, and communications activities while respecting the distinct responsibilities and expertise of each leader.
Success in this role requires exceptional relationship-building skills, political acumen, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to influence and align stakeholders in a complex academic environment. The Chief of Staff accomplishes this work primarily through relationship-building, facilitation, and strategic coordination rather than through direct operational authority over academic or administrative units.
Supervision and Scope
The Chief of Staff reports to the Dean. The position may supervise staff or project teams as organizational needs evolve and may coordinate the work of individuals assigned to strategic initiatives. The role requires regular interaction with School leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, university officials, and external partners.
Responsibilities*
Note: (EF) = Essential Function
Strategic Leadership and Execution (30%) (EF)
- Translate the Dean's priorities into clear plans, milestones, responsibilities, and measures of progress
- Coordinate major cross-functional initiatives that require collaboration among academic and administrative units
- Monitor progress on strategic commitments, identify barriers, and help responsible leaders resolve issues
- Conduct research, analysis, and benchmarking to support executive decisions and long-range planning
- Ensure that decisions and commitments from leadership discussions are documented, assigned, and followed through to completion
- Support the Dean in cultivating strategic relationships with government and community partners, industry representatives, and other external stakeholders
- Identify and help advance partnerships and connections that strengthen the School's visibility, extend its impact, and support its academic, research, development, and engagement priorities
Executive Coordination and Decision Support (30%) (EF)
- Prepare briefing materials, decision memos, presentations, talking points, and background documents for the Dean
- Coordinate leadership agendas and planning processes in partnership with the Senior Assistant to the Dean
- Support effective communications with the School's senior leadership team, including meeting planning, agenda development, follow-up, and accountability
- Anticipate risks and competing priorities that may require the Dean's attention
- Represent the Dean in selected meetings and initiatives when delegated
- Establish regular Dean's listening and feedback mechanisms with SOK faculty, staff, and students
- Synthesize stakeholder feedback into strategic recommendations and actionable plans for the Dean and SOK leadership team
Leadership Team Partnership (20%) (EF)
- Serve as the primary coordinator and integrator of strategic priorities across the Dean's leadership team, helping leaders identify interdependencies, remove barriers, and advance shared goals
- Help identify emerging organizational, operational, reputational, or strategic risks, as well as support responses to sensitive institutional issues
- Partner with the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer to align strategic priorities with financial planning, human resources, facilities, information technology, operations, and administrative capacity
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to connect fundraising priorities, donor engagement, and campaign planning with the Dean's strategic agenda
- Work with the Senior Assistant to the Dean on executive workflow, scheduling priorities, leadership meetings, briefing materials, correspondence, and follow-up
- Collaborate with the Senior Director of Communications to ensure that executive communications, internal messaging, public positioning, and stakeholder engagement reflect the Dean's priorities and the School's strategy
- Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision rights across shared initiatives to promote collaboration and avoid duplication
- Build trusted relationships with associate deans, program chairs, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and university partners
- Coordinate leadership retreats and reviews of organizational progress
- Improve systems for information sharing, decision-making, implementation, tracking, and accountability
- Provide strategic support during leadership transitions, organizational changes, and other complex or sensitive situations
- Handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion, sound judgment, and integrity
Stakeholder Engagement and Special Initiatives (20%) (EF)
- Coordinate high-priority projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders
- Develop relationships with university offices and peer units to advance School priorities
- Support the Dean's engagement with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, advisory groups, and external partners
- Lead or support special projects as assigned by the Dean
- Prepare analyses and recommendations on emerging opportunities, institutional challenges, and matters requiring coordinated action
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in higher education, business, public administration, organizational leadership, communications or related field
- At least eight years of significant and progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, executive advising, organizational leadership, project management, higher education administration, or a related area
Demonstrated success in:
- Leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from conception through implementation
- Using exceptional judgment, discretion, and political acumen to manage confidential matters
- Applying strong analytical, problem-solving, written communication, and presentation skills
- Synthesizing complex information and presenting clear options and recommendations to senior leaders
- Building productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and influencing outcomes without relying solely on formal authority
- Managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment, with excellent organizational skills
- Commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative organizational culture, with the ability to support our core values.
Skills You Have
- Strategic and systems thinking
- Executive presence and trusted counsel
- Sound judgment and discretion
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership
- Facilitation and consensus building
- Clear and persuasive communication
- Project and portfolio management
- Organizational awareness and political acumen
- Accountability and results orientation
- Adaptability in complex environments
Desired Qualifications*
- Advanced degree in higher education, business, public administration, organizational leadership, communications, or a related field
- Experience working directly with a dean, president, chief executive, governing board, or senior leadership team
- Experience in a complex research university, academic health setting, professional school, nonprofit organization, or similarly decentralized institution
- Familiarity with academic governance, faculty affairs, university budgeting, development, and strategic communications
- Experience supporting organizational change, strategic plan implementation, or enterprise-level initiatives
- Knowledge of kinesiology, health sciences, education, research, athletics, or related fields
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Maternity and parental leave
- University commitment to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
This is an onsite position with the potential for a hybrid schedule with a remote option up to 2 days/week (with Wednesdays being a required in-office day). Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization throughout employment.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.