The posting
Job Description Summary
As a member of the Enrollment Management (EM) senior leadership team, the Chief of Staff (COS) to the Vice President of Enrollment Management (VP) serves as a strategic partner and skilled problem solver to facilitate cross-functional efforts, nurture synergies, and foster a culture of inclusive excellence across the EM division. This position ensures effective coordination among EM’s senior leaders by facilitating internal and external communication, managing projects, resolving conflicts, and driving strategic initiatives forward. This role balances operational execution with strategic vision to ensure EM’s culture of service, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties:
Operations:
- Budget Management and Vendor Relations: Oversees and facilitates the division’s annual budget process as well as mid-year forecasting and multiyear budget strategy; Works with EM leaders and university partners to ensure effective use of financial resources and accurate financial projections; Facilitates contract negotiations, procurement processes, and ongoing vendor management for key contracts.
- Communications and Stakeholder Management: Builds and maintains successful working relationships with a wide range of offices, staff, and stakeholders, internal and external to the university; Ensures effective communication within the EM division and with campus partners across the university; Prepares reports, presentations, and other communications on behalf of the VP.
- Board Relations: Supports the VP in preparing updates and materials, in collaboration with the VP for Strategy and Innovation, for the Board of Trustees and the Enrollment Management Committee; Liaises with the office of the Secretary on Board matters for EM and staffs the Enrollment Management Committee.
- Policies and Procedures: Collaborate with EM leadership to educate EM staff in relevant university and divisional policies and procedures and support efforts to ensure compliance across the division; Coordinate efforts to maintain EM’s business continuity plans; Liaise with university partners in developing and/or implementing policies and procedures that impact EM; May represent EM on university planning and policy-making committees.
Strategy:
- Strategic Initiatives: Manages high-priority projects and special initiatives; Oversees key collaborative, cross-functional efforts and decision-making through the EM Executive Team, EM Leadership Team, EM Inclusive Excellence work groups, and similar standing or ad-hoc teams; Strives to ensure all EM units are aligned with overall University policies, goals, and mission.
- Staff Development and Engagement: Drives EM’s culture of inclusive excellence and employee engagement; Serves as a strategic partner to the VP in advancing the professional development of EM executive directors by leveraging a division-wide perspective to identify talent, growth opportunities, and leadership gaps; Proactively surfaces opportunities for executive directors and emerging leaders to expand portfolios and engage in projects that build EM’s capacity and effectiveness; Supports EM leaders in team dynamics and change management to strengthen overall performance within and across EM units; May oversee the direct or indirect supervision of assigned administrative personnel.
- Advisory: Serves as a trusted advisor to the VP and EM senior leadership, maintaining appropriate confidence while providing insights and recommendations on key decisions; Gathers, investigates, researches, analyzes, and/or synthesizes information affecting enrollment; Anticipates, identifies and troubleshoots issues of concern or significance; Participates with the VP and EM leadership in strategic planning and problem resolution; Ensures matters requiring the attention of executive leaders are thoroughly developed, researched and evaluated.
Other Duties:
- Coordinates with the VP’s administrative assistant in managing the VP’s calendar and activities; Triages and prioritize requests for the VP.
- Plans and executes events for the VP and/or division.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred)
- Experience: At least 8 years of directly related experience in higher education, preferably within enrollment management
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic partner to senior leadership, aligning operational priorities with institutional goals and enrollment strategy.
- Advanced skills in strategic planning, project management, and execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong organizational and operational leadership capabilities, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather, synthesize, and interpret complex information to inform decision-making and resolve issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and correspondence.
- Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across all levels of the organization and with external partners.
- High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
- Experience leading or supporting organizational change, including process improvement, policy development, and operational redesign.
- Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to develop talent, support performance management, and strengthen team effectiveness across units.
- Knowledge of higher education administration, including policies, regulatory environments, and the structure and operations of a complex university setting.
- Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
- Ability to independently lead initiatives while anticipating needs, identifying risks, and proactively addressing challenges.
Pay Transparency
At Bentley we offer a “total rewards” package designed to attract, motivate, retain, and reward our employees. This includes competitive compensation, robust benefits, career development and opportunities, generous paid time off, workplace flexibility and a positive, engaging employee experience. In alignment with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act and our commitment to equity and transparency, we’re sharing the salary grade range for this role. The grade range is based on market data and the scope of responsibilities. Final pay will depend on your experience, education, and other relevant qualifications.
Salary Grade Range:
$142,346 - $249,147 per year
If you have questions about the salary grade range or need additional information, please contact us at [email protected].
Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.
Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
