Senior Advisor to the Chancellor

Job Summary

The Senior Advisor to the Chancellor serves as the Chancellor's lead strategic advisor, overseeing the campus's full operational and programmatic agenda. As a core member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, this senior strategic leader drives institutional priorities across a broad and dynamic portfolio, encompassing office operations, messaging, special events, budgets, personnel, community engagement, strategic planning and cross-divisional coordination.

Department Information

Indiana University Northwest is a regional campus of Indiana University committed to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. The Office of the Chancellor leads institution-wide initiatives to advance IU Northwest's mission, collaborating across IU regional campuses and University Administration to serve Northwest Indiana and beyond.

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Serves as the Chancellor's representative and liaison to the University Administration, IU regional campuses, government officials, and key external partners, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with the university's strategic vision.
• Serves as a principal senior advisor to the Chancellor and primary liaison to university leadership, the Office of the President, regional campuses, government officials, external stakeholders, and other high-priority constituents.
• Translates the Chancellor's vision into actionable plans by aligning departments on major initiatives and projects. Leads special initiatives and cross-functional projects that improve institutional effectiveness, strengthens operational performance, and advances the campus's strategic priorities on behalf of the Chancellor.
• Covers agendas, prepares briefing materials, and facilitates Cabinet and special meetings convened by the Chancellor including on- and off-campus engagements, evenings, and weekends.
• Oversees prioritization, coordination and timely execution of Chancellor's Office initiatives and executive workflow. Monitors progress toward institutional priorities, establishes accountability mechanisms, and provides regular updates to the Chancellor and executive leadership regarding key initiatives, strategic priorities, and outcomes.
• Represents the Chancellor at meetings, events, and strategic forums; interpret and execute policies across administrative units to ensure institutional operational success.
• Facilitates the resolution of sensitive, high-priority matters requiring Chancellor-level attention, ensuring timely and informed decision-making.
• Directs daily operations of the Office of the Chancellor while supervising professional staff and ensuring effective, responsive administrative support.
• Oversees fiscal coordination and budget administration for the Office of the Chancellor Responsibility Center, including the budgets for the Chancellor's Office, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, Ceremonies and Special Events.
• Manages the Chancellor's Representation Account and Foundation Accounts; ensure compliance and strategic alignment in all fiscal matters.
• Oversees and leads the Office of Special Events, while collaborating with the Offices of Enrollment Marketing, Communications, and Alumni Engagement and Development to maximize strategic communications and support highest-level advocacy initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Creates, directs, monitors, and implements the organization's strategic and operational agenda.
• Advises the executive on day-to-day operations and manages them to ensure efficiency and effectiveness within available resources.
• Oversees the operations of the executive office team, prioritization and assignment of tasks, and supervision of other office personnel. May have oversight of office resources, including space and operational budget.
• Facilitates communication and coordination within the organization and ensures that priorities are established, assigned, and completed on time.
• Oversees broad communications, including official emails and other correspondence, directed to the executive office.
• Convenes and participates in key constituent meetings to ensure appropriate and responsive follow-up and accountability.
• Provides guidance and support to junior-level peers.

Qualifications

• Education: Required - Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Preferred - Masters degree, postgraduate professional degree, or Juris Doctor (J.D.) strongly preferred.
• Work Experience: Required - 8 years of progressive leadership experience in a complex organizational setting. Preferred - Previous experience serving as a Senior Advisor/Chief of Staff is highly preferred.
• Skills: Required - Effective leadership skills, excellent collaboration and team-building skills, excellent judgment and decision-making skills, ability to maintain confidential information, time management and priority-setting skills, effective communication skills, knowledge of and experience in higher education, ability to interact effectively with a wide range of audiences, including administrators, trustees, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and parents of current/prospective students.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Job Classification

Career Level: Expert
Job Function: General Administration
Job Family: Administrative Support

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

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