Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff

Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff

Join to apply for the

Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff

role at

The City University of New York

Kingsborough Community College (KCC) , founded in 1963, is a community college located in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, and one of 25 institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) system. KCC is committed to its mission of providing access to high‑quality educational opportunities for a diverse population, both in career‑related fields and in the liberal arts and sciences, to promoting student learning and development, and to strengthening and serving local communities. The college enrolls approximately 20,000 students each year, including 7,000 students working to earn an associate degree, supported by 1,500 full‑and‑part‑time faculty and staff. KCC consistently ranks among the leading community colleges in the country in associate degrees awarded to minority students. The college has been designated one of the most effective community colleges in the United States multiple times by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and is also an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction. The position of Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff reports directly to the President and serves on the President’s Senior Staff.

Responsibilities

Strategic plan design, implementation and ongoing management

External relations, including with government officials and community organizations

The President’s office operations and staff

Strategy and Planning

Ensure that the college carries out its mission and its central focus on student success through strategic planning, including the development and implementation of a five‑year strategic plan.

Finalize the college strategic plan with a set of collaboratively developed metrics to measure success, and create and manage an annual reporting and assessment process for the plan, including reporting to and coordination with the College Council and its committees, and monitoring and providing key data and assessment information to relevant constituencies on a periodic basis.

Frequently convene key leaders within the plan and closely monitor progress toward objectives, steering the process toward maximum effectiveness and adjusting strategies and tactics as needed in order to achieve the plan’s goals.

Design and lead other special strategic policy and program initiatives on behalf of the President, including, for example, a thorough analysis and evaluation of the college’s academic schedule.

Lead Vice Presidents, Deans and Department Chairs in annual planning for departments, divisions and units to ensure that all divisions within the college set strategic priorities that support the college’s mission and strategic plan goals, and ensure that those department‑level plans are incorporated into the college’s strategic plan implementation.

Manage the college’s participation with key organizations that support high‑quality higher education institutions, including the Aspen Institute and Achieving the Dream, ensuring that the college maintains its competitive participation in awards competitions and assessment processes.

External Affairs

Serve as the President’s and College’s lead and liaison for government and community affairs, building and maintaining relationships with business representatives, advocacy and civic groups, community boards, and elected and appointed officials at all levels.

Oversee daily external affairs activities, working closely with the Communications and Partnerships offices and senior leadership to ensure a cohesive approach to external initiatives and requests.

President’s Office and Staff Management

Provide leadership in the Office of the President, managing daily operations including staff supervision, budget administration, the development of systems to enhance operational performance, and recruitment for positions reporting to the President.

Represent the President in interactions with internal and external constituents.

Coordinate the President’s cabinet and senior staff, and support the President’s management of such.

Convene and ensure president’s office coordination and representation, as appropriate, with special events and initiatives at the college and in the community.

Collaborate with the Communications Office to respond to media inquiries.

Manage correspondence and communications from the President; draft letters, emails, invitations and other communications, as requested. Ensure that writing and design meet a high standard for quality.

Ensure efficient and timely responses to constituent inquiries and issues on an ad‑hoc basis, exercising judgment to analyze such issues and to develop solutions.

Ensure that the President’s staff works effectively with other units of the college, including academic affairs, advancement and communications around policy concerns, crisis management and communications.

Qualifications

This position is in CUNY’s Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience.

A track record of effective executive‑level leadership and management of strategic planning within complex urban organizations, including highly unionized settings and / or experience with academic shared governance.

Extensive experience with administrative and personnel management, including a track record of transparently and collaboratively managing internal and external constituents toward clear institutional goals and objectives.

Experience with data and metrics‑driven performance management, an excellent grasp of data, and a demonstrated familiarity with the critical role of technology platforms and data reporting and management in performance management.

Exceptionally strong written and oral communications skills.

Documented extensive project management and organizational management skills.

Evidence of being highly detail‑oriented and oriented toward outcomes and results.

Strong political acumen to navigate a complex academic setting and to cultivate and maintain strong internal and external relationships.

Commitment to the mission of an urban community college and its highly diverse students and to ensuring strong educational, social and workforce outcomes for them.

Compensation & Benefits

$185,000 - $200,000

CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well‑being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement / pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefit from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

How to Apply

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID 31499 or Title. Select “Apply Now” and provide the requested information. Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information).

Closing Date

January 8, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO / AA / Vet / Disability Employer.

Location : Kingsborough Community College

#J-18808-Ljbffr