Chief of Staff

With year over year enrollment growth, record-high research expenditures, a dynamic new leadership team, and a renewed focus on institutional collaboration, this position offers an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader to influence the academic enterprise at scale. Under the bold vision of its Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, the university is advancing its role as a next-generation land-grant university prioritizing student success, research impact, academic innovation and community engagement.

The Chief of Staff to the Provost (COS) will play a pivotal role in this effort, working closely with the Provost to drive progress on university priorities in a rapidly changing higher education environment. The COS will serve as a key integrator bringing together complex initiatives, ensuring operational alignment, and functioning as both a strategic partner and a detail-oriented executor. This high-profile role spans the University and requires exceptional relationship-building skills, the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and the capacity to quickly earn trust in a close-knit, high-touch environment. The Chief of Staff will collaborate with the President; University Strategy Officer; Executive Vice President for Executive Affairs, University Engagement and Partnerships, and Chief of Staff to the President; deans, vice and associate provosts; and members of the President's Cabinet and their senior teams to coordinate and advance key cross-campus initiatives.

The ideal candidate is highly organized and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to drive complex projects to completion. They bring strong collaboration, the ability to cultivate productive partnerships, as well as the political acumen to navigate a university environment and influence stakeholders across the institution.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Chief of Staff serves as a senior leader in the Office of the Provost and a key strategic liaison to the broader K-State community. The COS leads, coordinates, and supports complex and confidential institutional projects aligned with the university's mission and academic priorities, while navigating the nuances of shared governance, faculty engagement, and academic culture. This role builds and maintains strong relationships across K-State's campuses, colleges, and units while partnering closely with university leaders to drive the effective planning, implementation, and communication of strategic initiatives. The COS also represents the Provost as needed in high-level discussions, on university committees, and in managing issues or concerns on the Provost's behalf.

In addition to overseeing the operations and communications of the Provost's Office, this position plays a central role in institutional policy development, project management, and institutional planning. The position works closely with the Provost to manage agendas and follow-up for the Deans Council and the Provost Executive Team, ensuring alignment across academic and administrative leadership.

To learn more about the opportunity and how to apply, view our executive profile.

Kansas State's mission is to foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop the highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community. K-State's vision is to lead the nation as a next generation land-grant university - setting the standard for inspiring learning, creativity, discovery and engagement that positively impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and around the world. The university Values and Principles of Community guide how the community lives out its mission. For more information about Kansas State, visit our University Profile.

K-State provides access to high-quality education for those who desire to earn in-demand degrees. By fostering an environment where all can thrive, learn and grow, our university is home to students, faculty and staff who bring a variety of unique perspectives, viewpoints and experiences to our learning and working environments, enriching and deepening the connections we have with each other and all who engage with our university. Learn more about our mission and the values that drive us at k-state.edu/about/values-and-mission.

Learn more about the Manhattan community at manhattan.org or madeformanhattan.org.

This position is On-site.

Educational Requirements

• Master's degree required.

Required Qualifications/Competencies

• 7-10+ years of strategic and management related experience
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and the ability to use diplomacy and sensitivity in working with a diverse and broad range of constituents and relate effectively to individuals throughout all levels of an organization and its stakeholders.
• Proven leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills with an exceptional ability to analyze, plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute complex projects and initiatives.
• Master collaborator and relationship builder with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage others and work with coalitions of faculty, staff, students, university leaders and others across a diverse university community to achieve results.
• Outstanding organizational, problem-solving, management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to articulate matters of complexity and nuance to multiple and varied audiences in both planned and extemporaneous situations.
• Exceptional critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills, including the ability to weigh short and long-term costs/risks and benefits of a potential action.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of planning, forecasting, budgeting, and critical thinking in the analysis/assessment of projects and initiatives.
• Able to effectively lead, coordinate, manage and motivate diverse, high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of and passion for the role of public higher education and of land-grant institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, discretion, and sensitivity to confidentiality.
• Proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate change, be adaptable with changing conditions, and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university.

Preferred Qualifications/Competencies

• Understanding of the complexities of university academic programming and operations.
• Experience at a land-grant institution of higher education in support of that mission.
• Proven record of leading and facilitating transformational change in higher education, building strong teams and talent development.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

ACES is assisting K-State with this search. To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy9e2gj

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to KStateChiefofStaff@acesrch.com
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee's name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Applications close on September 5th, 2025

$ 162,646.00-$ 219,576.00