Chief of Staff to the Provost

Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Academic Affairs

Position Title Chief of Staff to the Provost

About the Position
The Chief of Staff to the Provost serves as a senior member of the Provost's leadership team and helps advance the strategic and operational priorities of the Division of Academic Affairs. Reporting directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Chief of Staff works closely with vice provosts, deans, faculty leaders, and administrative partners to facilitate alignment across academic and administrative units, support implementation of key priorities and and ensure alignment across the division.

The position oversees special projects and institutional initiatives on behalf of the Provost and supports executive planning and communications for Academic Affairs. It also provides leadership for institutional accreditation activities, including coordination of accreditation reporting, compliance, and reaffirmation efforts.

The successful candidate will bring strong organizational and communication skills, sound judgment, political acumen, change management expertise, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative and shared governance environment.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Project Coordination

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Provost on divisional priorities, emerging issues, and operational matters.
• Lead implementation of Academic Affairs initiatives and strategic projects by monitoring progress, identifying barriers, and working with stakeholders to advance execution.
• Facilitate communication, collaboration, and change management among colleges, departments, and administrative units.
• Conduct research, prepare briefing materials, and provide analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Represent the Provost in meetings and university committees as assigned.

Office of the Provost Operations

• Manage operational processes and workflows that support effective functioning of the Office of the Provost.
• Coordinate and facilitate leadership meetings, retreats, and divisional planning activities, including implementation of resulting actions
• Track and monitor progress on divisional initiatives and action items. Provide updates and recommendations to support execution and accountability.
• Coordinate development and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational practices.
• Manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.

Institutional Accreditation and Effectiveness

• Coordinate the university's institutional accreditation activities, including Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) reaffirmation processes, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Work collaboratively with academic and administrative units to support accreditation standards, assessment activities, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead the institution's accreditation efforts, including a team of faculty and staff to coordinate preparation and submission of accreditation reports, substantive change proposals, annual updates, and related documentation.
• Create a broad strategy for communication and integration of accreditation expectations into institutional planning and assessment processes.
• Monitor developments in accreditation and higher education policy and make recommendations to the Provost regarding relevant changes to university policy and process.

Shared Governance and Campus Engagement

• Foster effective communication and collaboration with faculty governance bodies, staff leadership groups, and campus partners.
• Coordinate the development of materials for the Board of Trustees and university leadership groups.
• Facilitate initiatives that involve multiple divisions and stakeholder groups across the university.
• Support communication, transparency, and collaboration between Academic Affairs, governance groups, and administrative initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Progressive professional experience in higher education, public administration, government, or a similarly complex organization.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership to advance strategic priorities and coordinate complex or cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, public administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• Progressive experience working in Academic Affairs leadership or within a provost's office.
• Experience with institutional accreditation, assessment, compliance, or institutional effectiveness activities.
• Completion of Peer Evaluation Training for NWCCU accreditation, or equivalent for other accreditation bodies.
• Experience with change management and strategic planning at an institutional level in higher education.
• Experience working within a shared governance environment.
• Demonstrated experience working across university functions and understanding the intersection of Academic Affairs, operations, and strategy.
• Experience preparing executive-level communications, reports, or presentations.

Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to [email protected] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Salary Hiring range for the position is $153,776 - $176,842/year depending on qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $199,909/year.

Benefits Information
Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position.

Application Instructions
Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

A cover letter and resume are required and should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include the names and contact information of three professional references. References will only be contacted for finalists, with notice provided beforehand.

A complete application also requires a separate equity and inclusion statement (1-2 pages) demonstrating your ability and commitment to cultivating learning and/or working environments that are equitable and inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of different backgrounds and identities.

Closing Date Notes Application review begins on August 11, 2026, position open until filled.

Job no: 503153
Advertised: Jul 22 2026 08:00 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

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