The University of Virginia (UVA), a leading public institution, seeks a dynamic and experienced leader for the inaugural role of Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff (AVP-COS). Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the AVP-COS will be a key member of the UVAFinance leadership team, supporting strategic initiatives during a transformative period. COS serves as trusted thought partner to the CFO, providing input and recommendations on divisional strategy, key decisions and priorities.  
 

The AVP-COS will oversee and drive initiatives while representing and communicating CFO’s vision and strategy to both internal team and external stakeholders. Where appropriate, AVP-COS will liaise and engage with stakeholders across grounds on behalf of the UVA Finance. The role will facilitate critical functions, including internal UVAFinance human resource related activities, project and change enablement, communications and training, business operations and systems, and other strategic initiatives. This position will provide the connectivity across three UVA Finance functions: budget, treasury, and controllership, ensuring divisional alignment and consistent communication and accountability.   

Portfolio:  AVP-COS will manage a portfolio of functions critical to the UVAFinance infrastructure, including: 

Business Operations: Manages administrative operations, enhancing internal human resource initiatives, support processes, and facility management for Carruthers Hall.  

Communications and Training: Leads communications team in implementing best-practice communication strategies that ensure faculty, staff, and team members receive essential UVAFinance information.  This includes developing and aligning external communication strategies while optimizing internal information flow and collaboration across multiple platforms and modalities. Oversees the training team, fostering cross-functional collaboration across UVAFinance and grounds to enhance training and development opportunities. This role is responsible for executing a comprehensive training strategy and driving innovating training solutions to strengthen competencies and professional growth.   

Project Management & Continuous Improvement: Coordinates and aligns UVAFinance and project management teams, translating high-level goals into actionable plans.  Through alignment and resource allocation, UVA Finance aims to establish and implement project management best practices that encourage collaboration, standardization, and improvement by growing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement which enables increased efficiency and workplace satisfaction. Serves as a key driver of organizational change and transformation; an extension of the CFO to reinforce organizational culture, values and leadership principles. 

UVAFinance Strategy and Special Projects: Supports VP&CFO in development and execution of overall UVAFinance strategy. Assists with special projects, and may serve on various cross-functional teams or committees, such as the critical incident management team (CIMT), ensuring coordination and alignment with University-wide priorities.  

Business Services and Systems: Provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for technology and processes that support UVAFinance operations and end user success.    

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted representative and liaison for the VP&CFO, handling sensitive and confidential matters with tact and diplomacy while engaging with internal and external stakeholders. 

Prioritize and manage the VP&CFO's workflow and top priorities to ensure efficient operations, timely communication, and maximum effectiveness. 

Collaborate with UVAFinance leadership and teams to implement strategies, analyze data, and prepare executive summaries and briefings. 

Partners with UVAFinance leadership and Finance functional areas and project teams/workstreams to develop and implement strategy, deliver tactical results, provide data and critical analysis, and develop and deliver executive summaries and briefings.  

Oversee the creation of an integrated communications strategy for UVA Finance. 

Stay informed about industry trends and engage in best practice discussions with national peers.  

Ensure the accurate and timely flow of information to and from the VP&CFO Office, fostering collaboration across teams and addressing emerging issues promptly. 

Manage and escalate emerging issues, identifying those requiring immediate attention and coordinating timely responses with appropriate stakeholders. 

Works closely with other University leaders and chiefs of staff in senior leadership to ensure coordination and alignment of the University's strategic priorities. 

Facilitate decision-making by conducting research, structuring undefined issues, and providing relevant information to support informed resolutions. 

Coordinate with the Communications team to support not only external reporting but also forward-facing presentations and engagement. 

Serves as a thought partner and facilitator to the VP&CFO and UVAFinance leadership team. 

Education 

Bachelor's degree required.  A Master's degree in a related field is a plus. 

Experience 

The ideal candidate will have at least ten (10) years of administrative and leadership experience organizing and operating in a large, complex organization and have directly related administrative management experience in a Finance, University or Academic environment.  

Core Skills and Expertise Needed  

Ability to craft UVAFinance strategies and key messages  

Skill to navigate across multiple stakeholders, often with varying viewpoints  

Ability to define UVAFinance success measures, monitor the effectiveness of initiatives, and adjust tactics for improved outcomes  

Strong financial oversight and leadership skills  

Ability to coordinate, plan and create meeting materials 

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, have difficult conversations with stakeholders at all levels, and maintain a high-level of execution on strategically complex projects. 

Experience with strategic planning, project management, governance structures, and process transformation. 

Demonstrated high level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality. Proven ability to build trust and consensus among colleagues, customers, and leaders across the organization. 

Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and leadership teams within complex organizations 

Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are required.  

Excellent planning and organizational skills and demonstrated acumen using different technology platforms and practices 

Ability to work with diverse constituencies 

Strong conflict resolution skills 

Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously, with attention to detail and a high level of professionalism 

Ability to lead and manage effectively in a consensus-driven environment 

Adaptability to shifting priorities through leadership transitions and alignment with the UVAFinance values of trusting in people, acting courageously, being creative, and seeing things through 

Demonstrated track record and commitment to enabling a welcoming environment for diverse stakeholders 

Willingness to handle both complex and routine matters 

Ability to combine strategic thinking with operational follow-through 

Demonstrated ability to work individually and collaboratively 

A high degree of tact, discretion, and sound judgment 

Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information 

Ability to work under pressure, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism, and a sense of humor. 

This position will remain open until filled.  This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. Anticipated Hiring Range: $215,000 - $235,000  per year. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu. 

Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA, and search for R0069526.  

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs’ or through their ‘Jobs Hub’.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Masters degree required.

Experience: Ten years of relevant experience required.

Licensure: None required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.