Vice President, Presidential Initiatives & Chief of Staff to the President at UT San Antonio

About the role

This position combines two Cabinet-level roles: Vice President for Presidential Initiatives and Chief of Staff to the President. The primary work location is the executive offices at the Academic Campus of UT San Antonio.

Responsibilities

• Execute all functions of the Office of the President: special events and protocol, administration and operations, presidential initiatives, and presidential communications
• Oversee direct reports leading the functional areas above
• Facilitate coordination, alignment, and follow-through across Cabinet on presidential priorities, institutional initiatives, and matters requiring cross-functional executive leadership
• Coordinate with UT System executive offices and the Board of Regents Office of the Secretary as needed
• Provide strategic insights and implementation for strategic initiatives related to the Office of the President
• Leverage opportunities with strategic partners that further university missions and strategic efforts
• Coordinate with Cabinet members and other institutional leaders to identify, assess, monitor, and address significant enterprise risks
• Coordinate enterprise risk reporting and engagement with UT System and the Board of Regents as appropriate
• Ensure emerging risks and issues are elevated to the President and appropriate executive leaders to support timely decision making and response
• Serve as an ambassador of the Office of the President
• Collaborate closely with the Chief of Staff to the SEVP for Health Affairs and Health System
• Collaborate with Cabinet members and executives across the institution
• Represent the President and the university at community events as needed
• Oversee the annual State Employee Charitable Campaign
• Serve as the internal liaison/coordinator and mentor for the Staff Advisory Council, Staff Emergency Fund, Association of Retired Faculty and Associates (ARFA), and others as needed
• Serve in an internally and externally facing leadership role
• Serve as a liaison with members of the Board of Regents and the University of Texas System regarding presidential topics and related support of issues and opportunities
• In partnership with the Office of Human Resources, manage and oversee the search process for VPs directly reporting to the President as needed, including collaborating with selected search advisory committee chair, selected search firm, and other key stakeholders
• Ensure effective planning of presidential activities and special events (both internal and external), including receptions, Presidential Awards, holiday events, VIP visits, graduation speakers, and coordination of annual Presidential Ambassador Scholars
• Support organizational efforts and compliance with all required reporting and certifications related to state and federal legislation that are due by this office
• Oversee the compilation of various reporting documents to the State of Texas relative to the President (e.g., President’s Annual Personal Financial Statement)
• Coordinate with responsible institutional offices to ensure matters requiring presidential awareness, certification, action, or escalation are appropriately managed and addressed
• Lead the team that plans, coordinates, and prepares agendas for President’s Cabinet meetings
• Oversee presidential initiatives that vary in scale, timeframe, and relative involvement of other divisions, ranging from small, short-term, simple projects to large, multiyear, institutional-scale, complex projects
• Develop strategy, communication, and analysis around presidential initiatives that shape the institution’s trajectory in close collaboration with the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications and the President’s Cabinet
• Oversee and establish strategic communications and engagement directives for the Office of the President
• Address issues and devise solutions to proactively and reactively preserve and promote the university on behalf of the President
• Maintain a commitment to professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliation to keep abreast of the latest developments in higher education, crisis management, marketing, media, and other related areas
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MA, MBA, JD, or PhD highly preferred
• Progressively senior-level leader experience, including prior service as a Chief of Staff, senior strategy/business operations leader, or comparable executive role supporting a C-suite leader, preferred
• Experience in a higher education or academic health institution preferred
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience working in strategy, strategic planning support, and/or business administration and operations required
• Extensive knowledge of executive leadership, organizational governance, and administrative practices within a large, complex organization, with the ability to effectively support the priorities and operations of the Office of the President
• Advanced strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex institutional issues, develop actionable recommendations, and drive execution of enterprise-wide priorities and presidential initiatives
• Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise risk management principles and practices, including the ability to identify, assess, communicate, monitor, and facilitate mitigation of significant organizational and emerging risks
• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship management, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to establish credibility and collaborate effectively with executive leadership, governing boards, community partners, and other internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional written, verbal, and executive communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex and sensitive information, prepare executive-level communications and reports, and represent the President and university with professionalism and discretion
• Advanced organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple high-profile, complex, and time-sensitive initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and varying levels of institutional impact
• Strong knowledge of institutional compliance, governance, and reporting requirements, with the ability to coordinate matters requiring executive-level awareness and ensure appropriate follow-through
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when managing highly sensitive matters and anticipating organizational needs

Benefits

• Medical: UT SELECT medical insurance offered free for employees (administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas); family members can be added via payroll deduction; discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians network
• Life Insurance: $50,000 group term life insurance and $50,000 basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance provided free; options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage at group rates
• Dental: Three plan options available through Delta Dental Insurance Company (two PPOs and one dental HMO)
• Vision: Two plan options offered by Superior Vision Services (standard or enhanced benefits)
• Disability: Enrollment in disability insurance providing income if a non-work-related illness or injury prevents work
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Options to set aside pre-tax earnings for dependent day care or out-of-pocket health care expenses
• Retirement: Eligibility for Teacher Retirement System (TRS) with UT matching contributions or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP); voluntary retirement programs available with five provider choices
• Time Off: Generous leave program including front-loaded Paid Time Off (128 to 208 hours based on years of service), Extended Illness Bank (8 hours), and other leave options