Working/Functional Title

Chief of Staff

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff (CoS) is a critical, high-impact leader within Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), working in partnership with the Dean to drive the college's strategic vision and operational excellence. This dynamic role requires a get-things-done attitude to manage strategic initiatives, resolve operational challenges, and oversee the college's institutional priorities. With responsibilities ranging from spearheading the accreditation process to leading continuous improvement initiatives, the CoS will ensure that CVM meets its goals and exceeds expectations, making it a national leader in veterinary education, research, outreach, and service.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate directly with the Dean to implement bold, forward-thinking initiatives that position CVM as a leader in veterinary medicine.
• Accreditation Leadership: Take ownership of the college-wide accreditation review process, driving cross-functional efforts to ensure compliance and readiness.
• Academic Excellence: Inspire and guide academic leadership to create innovative, rigorous educational programs aligned with accreditation standards and future needs.
• Operational Oversight: Regularly track the progress of critical initiatives, ensuring projects stay on course with clear accountability and deliverables.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead the development of policies, standards, and processes that elevate performance across all CVM departments, streamlining operations for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
• Liaison and Problem-Solver: Act as a trusted advisor and problem-solver for college leadership, faculty, and staff, facilitating collaboration and ensuring the resolution of complex issues.
• External Engagement: Build relationships with key external stakeholders, gather feedback, and ensure the college's initiatives align with broader community and industry expectations. 
• Representation: Represent the Dean in high-stakes meetings, articulating and advancing the college's priorities with clarity, diplomacy, and purpose.
• Compliance and Governance: Ensure that daily operations and strategic initiatives meet academic governance, accreditation standards, and institutional policies.
• Culture and Morale: Foster a collaborative, positive, and inclusive environment where faculty, staff, and students feel empowered and engaged in the college's mission. 
• Innovative Leadership: Bring creativity, optimism, and practicality to the role, transforming big ideas into actionable steps while managing the everyday demands of the college.

We are committed to promoting the principles of equal opportunity and multiculturalism where all individuals are valued, respected, provided opportunity to flourish and open doors in their pursuit of excellence. The College's vision is to be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service. Six goals, backed by specific strategies, guide our organization as we move forward. Read more at https://cvm.msu.edu/about/strategic-planning-2021-26 to learn about the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine's goals, strategies and progress.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -DVM or equivalent degree

Desired Degree

Other -MBA or PhD

Minimum Requirements

• DVM or equivalent degree
• Leadership Excellence: Proven track record of inspiring and leading teams, particularly in academic or high-stakes environments.
• Strategic Expertise: Experience with academic governance, accreditation processes, and strategic planning, with the ability to see the big picture and handle details.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and navigate candid conversations with sensitivity and discretion.
• Balanced Approach: A natural ability to balance high ambitions with pragmatic execution, ensuring initiatives are visionary yet grounded in reality.
• Integrity and Ethics: Demonstrated ethical decision-making and impeccable judgment, particularly in handling confidential information and situations.
• Diversity and Inclusion: A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience in creating environments where everyone can thrive.
• Political Acumen: Ability to build alliances and navigate complex environments, engaging the right people at the right time to achieve collective success.
• Communication Mastery: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate ambiguity into clarity and articulate the college's needs with precision and persuasion.
• Resilience and Optimism: Unfazed by criticism or challenges, maintain a positive, can-do attitude, seeking solutions with intellectual curiosity and generosity of spirit.

Desired Qualifications

• PhD, MHA, MBA, or equivalent degree

• Leadership Excellence: Proven track record of inspiring and leading teams, particularly in academic or high-stakes environments.
• Strategic Expertise: Experience with academic governance, accreditation processes, and strategic planning, with the ability to see the big picture and handle details.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and navigate candid conversations with sensitivity and discretion.
• Balanced Approach: A natural ability to balance high ambitions with pragmatic execution, ensuring initiatives are visionary yet grounded in reality.
• Integrity and Ethics: Demonstrated ethical decision-making and impeccable judgment, particularly in handling confidential information and situations.
• Diversity and Inclusion: A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience in creating environments where everyone can thrive.
• Political Acumen: Ability to build alliances and navigate complex environments, engaging the right people at the right time to achieve collective success.
• Communication Mastery: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate ambiguity into clarity and articulate the college's needs with precision and persuasion.
• Resilience and Optimism: Unfazed by criticism or challenges, maintain a positive, can-do attitude, seeking solutions with intellectual curiosity and generosity of spirit.

This position is a full-time, annual appointment in the fixed-term faculty appointment system. The CoS will hold an academic administrator title, and the successful candidate is expected to qualify for and hold an appropriate faculty rank in an academic department within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Salary and rank dependent on qualifications and experience.

Required Application Materials

1) Letter of Intent outlining special interest in the position, overall related qualifications and experiences pertinent to the position, and career goals; 2) Curriculum Vitae; and 3) Names and Addresses of three professional references; Application materials are to submitted through Michigan State University's online, centralized application system (careers.msu.edu). 

Special Instructions

Review of applicants will begin as early as May 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. 

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

cvm.msu.edu

Department Statement

The mission of the college is to be inclusive as we learn, discover, heal and protect. We, as a college, aim to identify, attract, and retain talented students, faculty, and staff reflective of the diversity of the populations in our state, the nation, and the world. Our academic, scholarly, and service roles, considered separately and collectively, form the foundation of an inclusive culture that is committed to respecting, nurturing, and advancing all individuals.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.