Chief of Staff, Office of the Dean, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

As the Dean’s senior strategic partner and principal advisor, the Chief of Staff is responsible for advancing the mission and priorities of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences through exceptional organizational leadership, coordination, and execution. This role requires a unique combination of strategic judgment, operational excellence, political acumen, and emotional intelligence.

The Chief of Staff functions as one extension of the Dean within the leadership team, helping represent the Dean’s perspective, managing institutional relationships, and ensuring that the College’s priorities are advanced with discipline, coherence, and clarity. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief of Staff provides leadership across the Dean’s Office, overseeing strategic communications, special projects, faculty governance engagement, and Trinity Board of Visitors liaison functions. The Chief of Staff also serves as the Dean’s senior advisor and trusted representative, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making when operational or strategic demands require it.

Worked Performed   

Strategic Leadership and Partnership:

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Dean on institutional priorities, governance matters, and organizational challenges.
• Coordinate execution of the College’s strategic ambitions, ensuring follow-through, accountability, and alignment across divisions.
• Represent the Dean’s perspective in meetings, committees, and institutional decision-making processes.
• Support continuity and coordination in the Dean’s absence, as appropriate.
• Anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, providing strategic counsel grounded in political and institutional insight.
• Lead the Dean’s Office in issue-response, crisis coordination, and reputational risk management, partnering with University Communications, Legal, and senior leadership.

Organizational Management and Integration:

• Coordinate operations within the Dean’s Office, ensuring effective coordination, communication, and workflow across the senior leadership team.
• Facilitate effective information flow to and from the Dean, helping ensure decisions are well-informed and implemented with precision.
• Facilitate alignment among the activities of divisional deans, department chairs, and administrative partners to support the Dean’s strategic agenda.

Communications and External Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Communications and Marketing to develop and implement strategic communications for the Dean’s Office, including internal messaging, institutional statements, and leadership correspondence.
•  Partner with the College’s Office of Communications to ensure clarity, tone, and consistency in representing the Dean’s voice and Trinity’s priorities.
• Support the Dean’s preparation for speeches, public remarks, and stakeholder communications.
• Support the Dean’s engagement with the Trinity College Board of Visitors, including planning for the board’s twice-annual meetings, and coordinating with the Development office and university partners supporting the Duke Board of Trustees.

Strategic Planning and Special Projects:

• Lead and coordinate special projects of strategic importance to the Dean and the College.
• Translate high-level goals into actionable plans with measurable outcomes.
•  May manage a small portfolio of temporary project staff to support strategic execution and institutional innovation.
• Ensure regular tracking and reporting of progress on initiatives to the Dean and senior leadership.

Faculty and Governance Engagement:

• Engage with faculty governance bodies, department chairs, and elected committees to ensure alignment between the Dean’s strategic agenda and faculty priorities.
• Facilitate communication and consultation processes that respect shared governance and promote institutional transparency.
• Serve as a trusted bridge between administrative leadership and the faculty community, ensuring context, trust, and clarity in decision-making.

Institutional Representation and Relationship Management:

• Represent the Dean in internal and external engagements as delegated.
  Maintain trusted relationships with senior university leaders, faculty, staff, students, and donors.
• Serve as a key conduit between the Dean’s Office and central administration, including the Provost’s Office, Communications, and other university divisions.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information and politically sensitive issues.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Education/Training:

Work generally requires organizational, analytical and communication skills normally acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience:

Seven years of administration, management, or supervisory experience (including project management) is required. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Strongly Preferred Qualifications 

Education:

Master’s Degree

Skills & Experience:

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or a similarly complex organization
• At least eight years of administrative, management/supervisory, and project management experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate needs and develop practical solutions
• Deep understanding of academic culture, governance, and institutional decision-making
• Experience managing communications, special projects, and/or board relations within a higher education setting
• Familiarity with Duke University systems, policies, and administrative processes
• Exceptional organizational, project management, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, along with a communication style that reflects maturity, poise, sensitivity, and collaboration
• Ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead in ways that foster understanding, engagement, progress, and effective resolution
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team, meet deadlines, and guide others in doing the same
• High energy, ability to multitask, and a creative approach to problem solving