Job description

Columbus, GA

Job ID: 286371
Location: Columbus State University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions – and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Department Information

Office of the President

Job Summary

As a member of the President’s executive leadership team (ELT), the Chief of Staff (COS) serves as a senior advisor and operational leader who supports the President in advancing the mission, values, and strategic priorities of the institution. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President, the COS plays a central role in shaping and sustaining a positive and collaborative campus culture. This position will provide oversight in coordinating strategic initiatives. As a visible campus leader, the COS will work to strengthen trust, engagement, and shared purpose among students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. The complexity of this position requires a servant leader that is creative, engaging and diplomatic and successful in building a consensus and collaboration with internal and external constituents. The ideal candidate must be able to create a balance between institutional strategy and other emerging priorities. This position requires exceptional people, project management, and verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with a group of highly motivated peers.

Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Strategy:

‘ Serve as a principal advisor and thought partner to the President, supporting high-level decision-making, institutional strategy, and organizational alignment.
‘ Lead and manage strategic initiatives and special projects on behalf of the President, ensuring cross- functional collaboration and measurable outcomes.
‘ Serves as the President’s liaison to various committees, constituent groups, and task forces across the university and externally as needed. Assesses regular inquiries from internal and external constituents directed at the President and liaises with the appropriate persons to ensure issues are addressed appropriately and timely.
‘ Responds to routine inquiries as needed or as delegated by the President.

Campus Culture and Community Engagement

‘ Champion a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned campus culture that reflects the institution’s and the University System of Georgia’s mission and core values.
‘ Lead and support efforts to foster a respectful, student-centered environment across campus divisions.
‘ Partner with campus leaders to assess and strengthen the institution’s climate and culture through initiatives, feedback mechanisms, and engagement strategies.
‘ Serve as a convener for campus-wide conversations and collaborations that promote a sense of belonging, trust, and shared governance.

Office and Operational Management

‘ In collaboration with the Executive Assistant, provide oversight of the operations for the Office of the President, ensuring efficiency, professionalism, and responsiveness.
‘ Monitors the information flow in office to ensure the President is involved in projects or is informed when decisions are required at his/her level.
‘ In collaboration with the President and Executive Assistant, plans and monitors budgets and financial matters for the Office of the President.
‘ Manages scheduling, communications, and follow-up actions to support the President’s priorities and time.
‘ Prepare briefing materials, reports, speeches, and correspondence for internal and external audiences.

Required Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Master’s degree is preferred). Minimum of 7’10 years of progressively responsible experience in a higher education or nonprofit setting,with demonstrated experience in executive leadership, project management, or campus affairs. Proven ability to manage complex projects, build consensus, and communicate effectively across multiple constituencies. Excellent judgment, interpersonal skills, and organizational acumen.

Proposed Salary

The proposed annualized salary range for this position is $112,000 – $123,000 and includes full benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

‘ Excellent people leadership, project management, and verbal and written communication skills; experience working with or advising college presidents, trustees, or senior leadership teams.
‘ Ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels
‘ Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community
‘ Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment
‘ Knowledge of higher education organizational culture, policies and processes
‘ Knowledge of government affairs and legislative strategy development and execution
‘ Strategic planning skills
‘ Knowledge of fundraising programs, methods, and techniques
‘ Knowledge of the goals, objectives, structure and operations of a public university
‘ Ability to prioritize needs and demands
‘ Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and sound judgments
‘ Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions
‘ Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects
‘ Ability to analyze and solve complex problems
‘ Skill in crisis communication, conflict resolution, and cultural transformation efforts

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources, via email at [email protected].

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at h ttps://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policym anual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

• Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
• Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
• Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
• Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
• Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
• Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

• A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;
• Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does have financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.

This position requires a credit check.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit + Education

How to apply

Visit Columbus State University’s online Careers portal to drive your career with us! The online applicant system provides you with the ability to review job opportunities and apply to those that you are interested in and feel qualified for. Each job posting has a summary description of the position and required qualifications. All job applications must be submitted through the online portal system.

To apply, visit