Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President for Financial Affairs and Treasurer

Hofstra University seeks a dynamic and strategic Chief of Staff (COS) to support the Senior Vice President for Financial Affairs and Treasurer (SVP). This role plays a pivotal part in advancing the University’s financial, administrative, and facilities-related priorities through strategic planning, process improvement, and cross-functional coordination. The COS acts as a trusted thought partner to the SVP, helping to shape and execute key projects and initiatives. With a high degree of autonomy, the COS manages the office’s day-to-day operations, requiring resourcefulness, prioritization skills, and a strong service orientation. The role involves frequent engagement across all levels of the University and oversight of special projects. It also facilitates communication among the SVP’s senior staff and direct reports and provides interim leadership as needed to ensure continuity across the division. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as a trusted advisor to the SVP by contributing to strategic decision-making, long-term planning, and problem-solving on division-wide initiatives, while providing insight and counsel on key initiatives and complex challenges. Coordinates planning across Financial Affairs and Facilities to ensure alignment among SVP direct reports; manages communications and information flow on behalf of the SVP; and oversees the preparation of Board of Trustees materials and executive-level presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Leads efforts to achieve operational excellence by leveraging AI tools and methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma to optimize workflows and enhance service delivery. Develops dashboards that track what matters most to the division, creating and monitoring key performance metrics that evaluate the effectiveness of process improvements, assess progress toward strategic goals, and deliver clear, actionable insights to leadership. Manages complex, high-priority projects and supports change management strategies to implement new systems and policies effectively. Provides interim leadership for Financial Affairs and Facilities functions during leadership transitions, ensuring operational continuity and alignment with divisional priorities. Fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and transparency across Financial Affairs and Facilities while supporting leadership development and staff engagement initiatives aligned with Hofstra’s mission and values. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, finance, or operations. Demonstrated success in leading process improvement initiatives in complex organizations. Exceptional analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Strong understanding of university financial structures, compliance, and governance. Experience with project management and process improvement tools and methodologies. Experience converting complex financial information into impactful PowerPoint presentations for audiences with varying levels of financial acumen. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, Finance, or a related field strongly preferred. Familiarity with higher education ERP systems (e.g., Workday, Banner, Oracle). Proficiency using data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI). Experience applying AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT) to improve administrative efficiency, insight generation, or workflow automation. Experience preparing materials for governing boards or senior leadership committees. Knowledge of shared governance, accreditation processes, and institutional planning frameworks. Experience in consulting or strategic advisory roles, especially within higher education or financial operations is a plus. Prior supervisory experience.

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