Chief of Staff - Office of the CFO

Summary

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for Business & Finance / Chief Financial Officer, helping advance the College's financial, operational, administrative, governmental, and community engagement priorities. This role acts as an extension of the CFO's office, supporting cross-functional initiatives, strategic projects, institutional partnerships, government relations efforts, and executive communications.

The Chief of Staff focuses primarily on organizational effectiveness, project execution, stakeholder engagement, business development, and administrative coordination while maintaining familiarity with budgetary and financial matters. The position works closely with senior leadership, trustees, government officials, community partners, donors, business leaders, and external organizations to advance institutional objectives.

The successful candidate is a highly organized and collaborative professional who can manage complex initiatives, navigate competing priorities, build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and represent the Office of the CFO with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment. The individual must be comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, coordinating across departments, engaging with external partners, and supporting executive-level decision-making. Their ability to foster collaboration, build trust, and advance institutional priorities through effective relationship management will be essential to success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Executive Support

• Support the CFO in advancing institutional strategic priorities, operational initiatives, and special projects.
• Coordinate complex initiatives spanning multiple administrative and academic departments.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and executive summaries for the President, Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.
• Manage follow-up and implementation of key decisions arising from Cabinet and Board meetings.
• Monitor strategic initiatives and project milestones, providing regular updates to the CFO.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner on institutional and operational matters.
• Manage special projects and initiatives assigned by the CFO.

Operations, Project Management, and Business Support

• Lead and coordinate high-priority institutional projects on behalf of the CFO.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication across administrative divisions.
• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables, and accountability structures.
• Support organizational improvement efforts, including process redesign, efficiency initiatives, and operational assessments.
• Identify operational risks and recommend solutions to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Monitor the status of institutional initiatives and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Assist the CFO with budget planning, resource allocation discussions, and financial analyses related to strategic initiatives.
• Support financial due diligence activities related to partnerships, acquisitions, leases, contracts, and strategic investments.
• Coordinate with the Controller, Senior Associate- FP&A, and Business Office staff to assemble information needed for executive review.
• Assist in monitoring key performance indicators and institutional operating metrics.

Government, Community, and External Relations

• Support the CFO's engagement with regional business leaders, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings, communications, and outreach efforts with external partners, including those with local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Represent the College at community meetings, economic development events, and external engagements as assigned.
• Support efforts to secure state and federal funding opportunities, grants, and economic development resources.

Board Relations and Executive Communications

• Support preparation of Board of Trustees and committee meeting materials.
• Draft reports, presentations, speeches, talking points, correspondence, and other executive communications on behalf of the CFO.
• Assist in developing agenda materials and presentations for senior leadership meetings.
• Coordinate follow-up actions and communications resulting from Board and committee meetings.
• Ensure communications reflect institutional priorities and maintain a consistent professional tone.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information responsibly and discreetly.

Other Duties

• Participate in institutional committees, task forces, and working groups.
• Represent the Office of the CFO at internal and external meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Business & Finance / CFO.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Higher Education Administration, Communications, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in business operations, project management, administration, government relations, community development, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and business productivity software.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, government, or public-sector organizations.
• Experience supporting senior executives or organizational leadership.
• Familiarity with budgeting, financial planning, and business analysis.
• Experience in government relations, public affairs, economic development, or community engagement.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
• Experience supporting board governance and trustee relations.

Supervisory Duties

This position may supervise administrative staff, student employees, interns, or project teams as assigned. Direct supervisory responsibilities may evolve based on institutional needs.

Disclaimer

The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the position.

Job Description Status

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Washington & Jefferson College reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract.

Application Instructions

Apply for this job at https://washjeff.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please submit a cover letter and resume. It is recommended that all documents be in PDF format and uploaded at one time. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Employee Benefits

Washington & Jefferson College offers a comprehensive benefit package for benefit eligible employees; including health, vision, and dental coverage, group life insurance, AD&D and LTD coverage, retirement plan, generous leave time, and the tuition benefit programs. These benefits add significantly to the employee's total compensation package.

Getting to Know W&J

Washington & Jefferson College is the best of both worlds: a small-town college setting in historic Washington, Pa., with easy access to the bustling business and cultural districts of nearby Pittsburgh, Pa. just 30 miles to the north. Founded in 1781, W&J College is a private, residential liberal arts college that is focused on student success. Our dedicated, experienced professors are passionate about teaching and work closely with our students to ensure that they receive a quality, comprehensive education. For more than 200 years, our alumni have influenced change in business, politics, medicine, and the arts and sciences as CEOs, lawyers, doctors, researchers, writers, teachers, and in many other equally worthy professions.

Celebrating Community

Washington & Jefferson College welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs who wish to participate in a diverse educational community. The College strives to be a place where all students, faculty, administrators and employees are able to live, study and work in an atmosphere free from bias and harassment. The College encourages civil debate and lively exchange of ideas in the belief that such exchanges promote understanding that will grow beyond simple tolerance of difference to embracing and celebrating the richness of diversity. Our graduates acquire knowledge and learn skills that help them thrive in a culturally diverse world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender identity, or national origin.