Chief of Staff and Vice President for Presidential Operations
Type of Appointment: Full-Time, At-Will
Job Classification: Administrator IV
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, unless otherwise notified
Recruitment Closing Date: Open until filled
Priority Consideration Date: July 14, 2026
THE DEPARTMENT:
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and is responsible for all operational and strategic aspects of the University, including student recruitment, retention, and graduation, academic policies and programs; state and non-state operating budgets; personnel policies and procedures; external outreach, collaboration and fund raising. Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Presidential Operations (Chief of Staff/VP) serves as a senior advisor who provides strategic counsel, executive leadership, and operational coordination in support of institutional priorities and presidential initiatives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership and Cabinet Support:
Presidential Liaison and Advisory Support:
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Advises the President on campus, CSU, legal, contractual, and community matters, including sensitive and high-impact issues.
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Identifies and elevates potential problems, risks, or concerns affecting policies, procedures, personnel, and institutional operations.
Communications and Executive Operations:
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Develops high-level briefing materials, reports, presentations, correspondence, and other executive communications on behalf of the President.
Supervision and Administration:
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Supports staffing, budget administration, office operations, and coordination of executive workflows within the President’s Office.
Other Duties as Assigned:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in executive leadership, administration, strategic planning, policy development, or operations in a complex organization.
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Judgment, Discretion and Diplomacy: Demonstrated sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy in handling confidential, sensitive, and politically nuanced matters.
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Executive Communications Skills: Demonstrated strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including preparation of executive correspondence, presentations, and briefing materials.
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Knowledge of Executive Operations and Higher Education Administration: Demonstrated knowledge of executive operations, higher education governance and policy, and administrative processes within a complex organizational environment.
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Problem Solving and Initiative: Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess risk and recommend appropriate action.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
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Master’s degree in higher education, public administration, business administration, or related field.
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Experience working in higher education, the California State University system, or another large and complex public-sector organization, with demonstrated knowledge of and experience in a shared governance environment.
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Experience serving in a chief of staff, executive officer, cabinet-level support, or comparable senior leadership role.
The salary for this position is between $300,000 - $315,000 annually, commensurate with skills and qualifications. This position offers access to the CSU's robust Total Compensation package, including employer-paid dental and vision, a CalPERS pension, generous paid leave, and tuition fee waiver benefits. See the CSU’s Benefits Summary.
Out of State Work
The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy.
Background Check
Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to the CSU Background Check Policy.
CSU Classification Salary Range
This position is part of the Management Personnel Plan unit M80. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website. The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.
Employment Eligibility Verification
Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information, go to the Acceptable I-9 website.
University Driving Requirements
Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must: 1. Have a valid California or other State Driver’s license. 2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof) 3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or, 4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements. For more information, go to the Authorized University Driver Policy.
Conflict of Interest
This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations. For more information, go to the CSU's Conflict of Interest Policy.
Outside Employment Disclosure
Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request. For more information, go to the Outside Employment Disclosure Policy.
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. See policy at the Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting policy.
Security & Fire Safety
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at: https://www.cpp.edu/pdfs/annual_security_report.pdf and https://www.cpp.edu/housing/documents/fire_safety_report.pdf.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster.
Reasonable Accommodation
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu. For more information, go to Employment Notices.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Other Notices
For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Employment Notices web page.