Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Chief of Staff

  • Title: Chief of Staff
  • Category: Management
  • FLSA: Exempt
  • Grade: L

Job Summary

Under the direction of the President, provides complex and confidential project management in support of the strategic mission of the College. The primary duties and responsibilities involve managing special projects of the President’s office and the oversight of that office’s business and administrative functions. Typical responsibilities include: research and analysis of complex data, project management including budget oversight and representing the President with internal and external constituents.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Act as designee in the absence of the President and other senior officers.
  2. Represent the views of the President and introduce and promote college projects and initiatives to a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including members of local, regional and state government, alumni, friends, and Trustees of the college, and college employees. Manage communications, in coordination with the Office of Public Relations, with internal and external stakeholders and interested parties to increase and maintain visibility of the college’s projects and programming.
  3. Manage events to promote and support the college within the community, respond to inquiries about the college, produce written materials for approval.
  4. Respond on behalf of the President to inquiries from, and/or issues involving, students, employees, and members of the public.
  5. Work with campus leadership to oversee complex, high-priority projects with responsibility for outcomes.
  6. Develop and review strategies to ensure College projects align with the strategic plan and desired outcomes.
  7. Conduct special administrative and research studies on a wide range of subjects related to the overall management and operations of the college, as well as special projects and programs initiated by the President.
  8. Develop and deliver complex presentation materials including charts, graphs and other data representations and make recommendations for new operational strategies, programs and/or revisions to existing policies to senior leadership and other diverse groups.
  9. Provide on-going analysis and delivery of projects to maximize use of resources including time, people, and money. Monitor project costs and performance, service levels and other metrics required to ensure project goals and objectives are met.
  10. Manage the budget of the President’s office and follow up on budgetary issues and actions. May be assigned budget management responsibility for special projects.
  11. Supervise administrative services professionals, paraprofessionals, technical/support and classified staff and perform both direct and indirect supervision through subordinates. Hire, evaluate, train, discipline and recommend dismissal of staff as necessary.
  12. Participate in accreditation activities.
  13. Participate in the College Emergency Preparedness Program.
  14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily. Frequent travel to other college campuses and off-campus sites is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications or related fields. Five years of project management experience, including two years of supervisory experience.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:
  • Leadership and managerial principles;
  • Budgeting principles and practices;
  • Strategy development principles and procedures;
  • Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
  • Public administration principles and practices;
  • Policy and procedure development and administration principles and practices;
  • Public relations principles;
  • Strategic management principles and practices;
  • Program management and development principles;
  • Higher education principles and practices.
Skills in:
  • Directing and providing leadership to subordinate staff;
  • Providing strategic leadership;
  • Planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating programs, policies, and procedures;
  • Developing, administering, and managing budgets;
  • Speaking in public;
  • Managing multiple priorities simultaneously;
  • Analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
  • Managing change and sensitive topics;
  • Planning, analyzing, and evaluating programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints;
  • Preparing presentations, writing scripts and speeches.
  • Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, or provide information;
  • Working with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
  • Utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities, including Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint and other softwares.
  • Communicating effectively through oral and written mediums.

New: 06/2014