Chief of Staff

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP

POSITION TITLE: CHIEF OF STAFF

DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The University of Windsor is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa the Odawa and the Potawatomie. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations people in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex peninsula and the straits les détroits of Detroit.

WHO WE ARE:
The University of Windsor (the University or UWindsor) is a globally relevant regionally focused University that welcomes over 16000 students in a range of comprehensive and research-intensive graduate and undergraduate programs. The University consists of eight academic faculties which include Arts Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Human Kinetics; Education; Law; Engineering; Nursing; and Business. The UWindsor campus is home to a medical program offered by Western Universitys Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The University employs a passionate and dedicated faculty and staff numbering approximately 2500 of whom approximately 600 are tenured or tenure-track faculty.

The Universitys unique position on an international border between Canada and the United States has contributed to its identity as a diverse university community providing rich cultural recreational and educational opportunities for faculty and students. The University is a key player in a wide range of distinctive industrial entrepreneurial and cultural activities throughout the City of Windsor and Essex County and in an evolving network of international academic and industrial partnerships particularly with leading American universities in Michigan.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Chief of Staff is a senior strategic advisor to the President and Vice-Chancellor and a key member of the Universitys senior leadership team providing high-level counsel coordination and executive support in advancing the institutions vision mission and strategic goals. The Chief of Staff provides strategic leadership and operational oversight in supporting the President and the Vice-Presidents contributing to institutional priorities government compliance narrative development and executive decision-making. As a senior leader the Chief of Staff facilitates alignment and leads issues management and strategic communications among the executive leadership team ensuring the reputation of the President and the University is preserved and strengthened.

The Chief of Staff interacts and consults regularly with members of the executive leadership team while building strong connections and relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance institutional objectives. Their cross-functional perspective supports executive alignment and fosters partnerships essential to the Universitys success. The Chief of Staff ensures that the executive leadership team operates cohesively with access to timely information resources and strategic guidance to be successful.

The Chief of Staff leads key institutional initiatives and special projects at the discretion of the President particularly those requiring cross-divisional coordination and executive leadership. This includes addressing complex challenges managing cross-functional projects and supporting institutional transformation. They act in a leadership capacity to support and where appropriate represent the President.

The Chief of Staff supports the Chancellor Board of Governors and executive leadership in fulfilling their responsibilities and institutional engagements. They advise the President on emerging issues institutional risks and opportunities requiring executive attention or intervention.

The Chief of Staff works closely with the President on operational matters strategic communications and stakeholder relations of critical importance to the University. The Chief of Staff oversees the Office of the President providing management of operations and directions to staff within the this capacity the Chief of Staff also works closely with the Presidents Executive Assistant and the Communications Officer.

The Chief of Staff participates in University-wide initiatives ensuring policy alignment and integration of strategic directions across campus. The Chief of Staff often represents the Office of the President at events on committees and in interactions with external stakeholders including government industry and sector associations.

The Chief of Staff partners with the President and the Associate Vice-President External in donor stewardship strategic fundraising efforts and the development of advancement opportunities.

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic gatekeeper ensuring the Presidents engagement is focused on high-impact priorities and decision points. They help identify institutional priorities establish success metrics and lead progress evaluations to inform strategic decision-making.

Key Job Functions:

1. Strategic Planning & Advisory Support

• Serves as a senior advisor ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Provides analysis and briefings to support strategy policy and decision-making.
• Tracks priorities performance indicators and progress on initiatives.
• Represents the President and liaises with internal and external stakeholders.

2. Communications & Stakeholder Relations

• Builds strong relationships with campus and external partners.
• Oversees Presidential communications and events to ensure consistency and impact.
• Coordinates and reviews correspondence and inquiries for the Presidents Office.

3. Office & Operations Management

• Ensures efficient professional daily operations of the Presidents Office.
• Manages agendas meeting materials and follow-up actions.
• Streamlines office systems and workflows for optimal effectiveness.

4. Project & Initiative Leadership

• Leads or supports strategic initiatives from the Presidents Office.
• Develops and implements process improvements and operational enhancements.

5. Leadership & Supervision

• Oversees recruitment performance and supervision of office staff.
• Performs related duties in support of Presidential and institutional priorities.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in a related field.
• Seven to ten years experience working in progressively senior administrative roles with demonstrated ability to support senior level administrators and to work effectively and discretely with confidential and sensitive information.
• Excellent analytical and interpretative skills with the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources and recommend strategies for dealing with an array of issues.
• Problem solving systems thinking and strong business acumen.
• Positive driven and motivated participant in an integrative team environment.
• Strong emotional intelligence (self-awareness self-regulation self-motivation empathy).
• Excellent judgment with the ability to recommend and make decisions independently with authority and confidence.
• Ability to assess a situation quickly recognize when matters are of a serious nature and handle them with expediency frequently without prior reference to the President.
• Exceptional listening oral and written communication skills including the ability to write and edit documents professionally and constructively and present ideas fluently and logically.
• Outstanding interpersonal and collaborative skills with the ability to interact effectively with both internal and external members of the community and to build positive and productive relationships with individuals and groups.
• Proven ability to problem solve and mediate complex issues finding mutually beneficial solutions and encouraging innovation in others.
• Proven project management skills and demonstrated success in leading multi-stakeholder project teams.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-starter excellent organizational and planning skills with follow through with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple competing demands.
• Thorough knowledge of the University its policies procedures and governance structures administration and culture.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Accountability.
• Tact and diplomacy.
• Training and experience in cultural racial and equity matters.
  

Since 1963 the University of Windsor has been a forward-looking community that comes together to study to learn to teach and to serve. Our symbol is the bridge; our vista is cross-border; our commitment is local; and our impact is global. We are a dynamic inclusive community of higher learning with roots going back more than 160 years and with a future full of promise.

We are committed to equity and supports diversity in its teaching learning and work pursuit of the Universitys Employment Equity Plan members from the designated groups (Women Aboriginal Peoples Visible Minorities Persons with Disabilities and Sexual Minorities) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify.

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process please notify the Employment Coordinator (). Should you require further information on accommodation please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights Conflict Mediation and Resolution (OHRCM) at qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in the University of Windsor however only those under consideration will be contacted. Applications submitted through employment agencies will not be considered.

EMPLOYEES INTERESTED IN THE ABOVE ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY ON UWINSITE PEOPLE (CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES) on or before November 7 2025 at 4:00PM