Governance Advisor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details
Position Information
Working Title
Deputy Chief of Staff and Clerk to the Board of Visitors
Position Number
FA415
FLSA
Exempt
Appointment Type
Full Time
Sensitive Position
No
Sensitive Position Statement
A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history Check. This is NOT a sensitive position.
Campus Security Authority
Yes
Campus Security Authority Statement
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an "official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities". A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.
Designated Personnel
Yes
Designated Personnel Statement
This position is a "designated position" meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.
Statement of Economic Interest
Yes
Statement of Economic Interest Statement
This position requires a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.
Restricted Position
No
Restricted Position Statement
A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.
Chief Objective of Position
The Deputy Chief of Staff and Clerk to the Board of Visitors serves in a dual leadership role within the Office of the President, providing strategic and operational leadership in support of the President and Chief of Staff while also serving as the University's principal officer responsible for the effective governance and administration of the Board of Visitors.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, the position serves as the Chief of Staff's principal deputy, providing executive leadership for the Office of the President and advancing the strategic priorities of the President and Chief of Staff. Acting with a high degree of independence and exercising delegated authority, the Deputy Chief of Staff leads enterprise-wide initiatives, resolves complex organizational issues, coordinates executive operations, and ensures the effective execution of presidential priorities.
As Clerk to the Board of Visitors, the position serves as the principal liaison between the Board and University leadership and as a trusted governance advisor to the Rector, President, Chief of Staff, and members of the Board. The Clerk provides leadership and continuity for Board governance, ensuring that the work of the Board is conducted effectively and in accordance with its Bylaws, University policies, applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and recognized principles of effective higher education governance.
As a member of the President's Cabinet, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Clerk collaborates with senior leaders across the University to advance Christopher Newport University's mission, Strategic Compass, and institutional priorities.
Work Tasks
Executive Leadership and Strategic Advising

• Serves as principal deputy to the Chief of Staff on executive priorities, organizational effectiveness, and emerging issues requiring presidential attention.
• Anticipates institutional risks and opportunities, develops recommendations, and coordinates implementation of decisions.
• Leads institutional initiatives and enterprise-wide projects involving multiple divisions, executive leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Monitors progress toward presidential and institutional goals and provides executive leadership to ensure successful outcomes.
• Collaborates with the Chief Communications Officer in developing presidential speeches.
• Exercises delegated authority on behalf of the Chief of Staff in representing the Office of the President and resolving organizational issues.
• Provides continuity and leadership within the Office of the President during periods of transition, significant institutional activity, or absence of the Chief of Staff, as delegated.

Board of Visitors Governance and Leadership

• Serves as Clerk to the Board of Visitors and principal institutional liaison to the Rector and members of the Board.
• Serves as a trusted governance advisor to the Rector, President, Chief of Staff, Board members, and senior University leadership.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of the Board's statutory authority, Bylaws, policies, procedures, committee structure, and governance responsibilities.
• In consultation with University Counsel, ensures Board activities are conducted in accordance with applicable Virginia law, Board Bylaws, University policies, and recognized governance practices.
• Advises the Rector, President, and Chief of Staff in developing annual Board priorities, meeting agendas, retreats, educational opportunities, and other activities designed to strengthen Board effectiveness.
• Maintains continuity of institutional knowledge regarding Board actions, precedents, practices, and governance matters across changes in Board membership and leadership.
• Facilitates effective communication between the Board and University administration and ensures Board members receive timely, accurate, and appropriate information necessary to fulfill their fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
• Partners with senior University leaders in preparing matters for Board consideration and ensures appropriate follow-through on Board actions and directives.
• Coordinates orientation and onboarding of new Board members and supports ongoing Board education and development.
• Oversees preparation and execution of Board and committee meetings, including agendas, materials, resolutions, minutes, official records, and required notices.
• Supports the Rector and committee chairs in the effective execution of their governance responsibilities.
• Serves as a key point of coordination with the Board during institutional crises, significant University developments, and other matters requiring timely Board communication.
• Supervises the Administrative Assistant responsible for Board operations and logistics.
• Ensures the preservation and appropriate management of official Board records.

Executive Operations

• Provides executive oversight of the Office of the President, ensuring alignment of daily operations with presidential priorities and institutional objectives. Supervises the staff in the Office of the President.
• Develops agendas for Cabinet meetings and liaises with Cabinet members to monitor action items and ensure appropriate follow-up on projects and initiatives.
• Exercises independent judgment in managing competing presidential priorities and ensuring the highest and best use of presidential time.
• Ensures executive office operations are responsive, efficient, professional, and aligned with the expectations of the President and Chief of Staff.
• Oversees the Office of the President operating budget of approximately $3 million.
• Exercises sound fiscal judgment in allocating state and private resources while maintaining flexibility to address emerging opportunities, presidential priorities, and unexpected institutional needs.
• Serves on university committees as determined by the Chief of Staff.

Customer Service Excellence

• Upholds a positive and professional attitude, demonstrating a commitment to the "Student's First" value and providing exceptional service to all constituencies. Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude. Practices inclusive leadership and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
• This position is designated as a "responsible employee" who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Follow workplace safety regulations and adhere to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for your position. Report unsafe work conditions to your supervisor. Immediately report work-related incidents to your supervisor and participate in accident investigation requests.
• Promote a safe and healthy work environment by ensuring the implementation of safety regulations and applicable standards, processes, and programs established for employees under your supervision. Ensure employees under your supervision are trained in safety standards and procedures for their positions. Report work-related incidents within 24 hours according to the procedures established by the university, state and federal guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a senior executive environment, exercising exceptional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, political acumen, and confidentiality.
• Strong strategic and organizational leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to anticipate issues, solve complex problems, develop recommendations, and translate executive priorities into action.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives, build consensus among senior-level stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and drive initiatives to successful completion.
• Exceptional executive presence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish trusted relationships and effectively represent senior leadership with a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly and persuasively with executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise significant independent judgment and delegated authority while recognizing matters requiring consultation with or action by senior leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to supervise professional staff, foster accountability and collaboration, and responsibly manage organizational and financial resources.
• Ability to leverage artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency, strengthen decision-making, support business operations and best practices in the President's Office.

Required Education
Must have a Master's Degree in a related field, or a Bachelor's Degree with work experience which equates to an advanced degree.
Additional Consideration - Education
Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration
Experience Required

• Progressively responsible professional experience involving executive leadership, organizational management, strategic initiatives, governance, or comparable responsibilities within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior executives and managing complex, sensitive, and high-level organizational matters.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or initiatives involving multiple departments, functions, or senior-level stakeholders.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.

Additional Consideration - Experience

• Experience working with a governing board, board chair or rector, president, chief of staff, cabinet, or comparable senior executive leadership.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational change, crisis management, executive communications, government relations, or other complex institution-wide initiatives.
• Significant leadership experience within higher education, government, public administration, or another complex mission-driven organization.
• Experience working in a president's, chancellor's, chief executive's, or chief of staff's office.
• Experience supporting or working directly with a governing board and its leadership, particularly within higher education or the public sector.
• Experience with institutional governance, strategic planning, organizational change, executive communications, government relations, or crisis management.
• Experience within Virginia public higher education or familiarity with the Commonwealth of Virginia's governmental, legislative, and regulatory environment.

Salary Information
Salary $110,000 to $130,000 Commensurate with Education and Experience
CNU Information
Christopher Newport University is anchored in excellence, and that is reflected in our ranking as the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 among regional public universities in the South. We are an inclusive and kind community, founded on our shared values of honor, scholarship, service and leadership. We offer an outstanding liberal arts education provided by dedicated, gifted teacher-scholars who are supported by a compassionate team of faculty and staff. Our 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue more than 90 areas of study, as they live and learn on a largely residential campus. CNU's on-campus performing and visual arts centers offer Broadway shows, world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, transformative lectures and classes, and more. Our athletics program is the winningest at any level in Virginia.
Christopher Newport University is in the heart of Newport News, a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. The city and region offer affordable neighborhoods, local and name-brand shops, diverse dining options, local parks and water access, and fun recreational opportunities. Whatever your interests and goals, you belong at CNU! For further details and information about Christopher Newport,