Deputy Chief of Staff

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief of Staff for the President of Columbia University, the Deputy Chief of Staff provides strategic and operational leadership in support of the University’s highest executive office. The incumbent serves as a trusted advisor and principal partner to the Chief of Staff, acting on their behalf in key matters and representing them in their absence. The Deputy Chief of Staff plays a critical role in strategic planning, institutional coordination, and implementation of initiatives and policies that advance the President’s agenda. This role requires a high degree of discretion, executive judgment, and the ability to operate effectively across a complex and dynamic academic enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior strategic partner to the Chief of Staff, contributing to the execution of the President’s priorities across academic and administrative units.
• Represents the Chief of Staff in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership, communication, and decision-making within the Office of the President.
• Acts as a liaison to faculty, staff, students, trustees, government officials, and community partners on behalf of the Office of the President.
• Leads coordination of institutional initiatives involving senior officers, schools, and administrative units, ensuring timely progress and alignment with university goals.
• Anticipates and identifies issues requiring executive attention; leads preparation of briefings, presentations, reports, and high-level correspondence.
• Develops and maintains executive dashboards or reporting mechanisms to track institutional priorities and performance indicators aligned with the President’s goals.
• Leads or co-leads cross-institutional working groups or task forces focused on presidential initiatives or University-wide priorities.
• Coordinates the implementation and monitoring of executive directives and policies issued by the Office of the President to ensure compliance and alignment across the university.
• Directs special initiatives sponsored by the President or Chief of Staff that require collaboration across academic and administrative units.
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff, develops agendas and assembles materials for the President’s meetings with the University Leadership Team, Council of Deans, Trustees, and other groups, and monitors progress on action items that emerge from these meetings.
• Manages day-to-day operations within the Office of the President, and recommends improvements to administrative systems, workflows, and internal protocols through regular assessment and application of best practices.
• Supports strategic planning and executive governance functions in collaboration with the Chief of Staff and other University leaders.
• Participates in and represents the Office of the President at senior leadership meetings, committees, and university-wide working groups.
• Handles sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications