Chief of Staff to the President/CEO

Position Overview

The Chief of Staff to the President/CEO serves as the President's principal strategic advisor and administrative partner and is responsible for advancing the priorities, initiatives, and daily operations of the Office of the President. As a member of the President's senior leadership team, the Chief of Staff provides executive-level support in planning, coordination, project management, institutional effectiveness, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

The Chief of Staff plays a critical role in helping the President advance Talladega College's vision of Reimagining Liberal Arts Education through innovation, student success, workforce relevance, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships. The position serves as a liaison among the President, Board of Trustees, Executive Cabinet, faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, accountability, and execution of institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Presidential Operations and Strategic Initiatives

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and provide support on strategic, operational, and institutional matters.
• Cook up and monitor the implementation of presidential priorities, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
• Aid the President in advancing the College's strategic vision and institutional goals.
• Manage executive-level projects and initiatives that span multiple departments and divisions.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, talking points, correspondence, and executive summaries for the President.
• Track progress on presidential directives and ensure timely follow-up and completion of assigned action items.
• Conduct research and analysis on institutional, higher education, legislative, and policy matters impacting the College.
• Support crisis management and executive decision-making processes as needed.

• Board of Trustees Relations and Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees.
• Cook up all logistics related to Board of Trustees meetings, committee meetings, retreats, and special sessions.
• Prepare Board agendas, reports, resolutions, supporting documentation, and meeting materials.
• Ensure timely distribution of Board materials and communication with trustees.
• Monitor and track Board actions and assist with implementation of Board directives.
• Maintain official Board records, minutes, and governance documents as assigned.
• Aid the President and Board Chair in fostering effective governance practices and trustee engagement.

• Executive Cabinet Coordination and Institutional Accountability

• Cook up Executive Cabinet meetings and retreats.
• Develop agendas, meeting materials, and action-item summaries.
• Monitor institutional progress toward strategic goals and key performance indicators.
• Develop accountability systems to track institutional initiatives and executive-level projects.
• Work collaboratively with Cabinet members to facilitate communication, coordination, and execution of institutional priorities.
• Support institutional planning, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Community, Governmental, and External Relations

• Represent the President and the College at meetings, events, and community functions as assigned.
• Aid in cultivating and maintaining relationships with alumni, donors, elected officials, community leaders, corporate partners, foundations, and other external stakeholders.
• Cook up governmental affairs activities and monitor legislative issues affecting higher education.
• Aid in developing partnerships that support enrollment growth, workforce development, student success, fundraising, and community engagement.
• Support the planning and execution of presidential events, institutional ceremonies, and special initiatives.

• Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance

• Partner with executive leadership to assess institutional operations, policies, and procedures for effectiveness and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Aid in accreditation-related initiatives, institutional reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Review policies, procedures, memoranda of understanding, contracts, and other institutional documents as assigned.
• Identify operational challenges and recommend solutions that improve institutional effectiveness and efficiency.
• Provide regular reports and updates to the President and Board of Trustees regarding strategic initiatives and institutional priorities.

• Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities

• Supervise assigned staff, interns, and student workers within the Office of the President.
• Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, Communications, or a related field required.

• Doctorate, Juris Doctor, or other terminal degree preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership, management, or executive-level administrative experience.

• Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership, boards, governing bodies, or senior administrators.

• Strong understanding of higher education administration, governance, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness.

• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and sensitive matters simultaneously.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

• Experience working at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a strong appreciation for the mission and value of HBCUs is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic planning and project management.

• Executive-level communication and relationship management.

• Board governance and trustee relations.

• Institutional assessment and accountability.

• Policy development and implementation.

• Event planning and executive protocol.

• Community engagement and governmental relations.

• Leadership, collaboration, and consensus building.

• Ability to work independently while managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Application Submission

Applications must include:

• Talladega College Employment Application
• Cover Letter addressing qualifications and leadership philosophy
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Copies of unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
• Contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.