Mitchell Hamline School of Law is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as our Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Organizational Effectiveness / Chief of Staff, an executive role responsible for leading our strategic initiatives, governance, and supporting the President and Dean in driving organizational effectiveness. This role will oversee human resources, events, culture and inclusion, and communications and marketing while also managing high-priority projects, strategic initiatives and operations, and crisis communication for the Law School. The ideal candidate is both a strategic leader and a trusted operational partner, capable of shaping a thriving workplace and ensuring the organization runs efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
People Leadership
- Oversee and contribute to all aspects of Marketing and Communications including policy development and implementation, and compliance that aligns with the School's strategic initiatives and community partnerships.
- Oversee and contribute to all aspects of Human Resources including policy development and implementation, and compliance that aligns with the School's strategic initiatives and community partnerships.
- Oversee and contribute to the Culture and Inclusion function including policy development and implementation, and compliance that aligns with the School's strategic initiatives and community partnerships.
- Develop and oversee an events function including policy development and implementation, and compliance that aligns with the School's strategic initiatives and community partnerships.
- Provide strategic direction and project management for the Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, Culture and Inclusion, and events functions
- Lead initiatives to strengthen organizational effectiveness including employee engagement, and workplace inclusion.
- Advise the President and Dean and leadership team on campus strategy, policy, governance, and organizational design.
Executive Support & Organizational Effectiveness
- Act as a close, working partner to the President and Dean, managing key projects, executive priorities, and cross-departmental initiatives.
- Participates with senior leadership in strategic planning and problem resolution affecting major segments of the School; ensures matters requiring the attention of School leadership are thoroughly developed, researched and evaluated.
- Coordinate internal communications and ensure alignment between leadership and staff.
- Contribute to and coordinate crisis communication to preserve and enhance the school's reputation.
- Track progress on strategic initiatives and provide actionable insights to the executive team. May manage and lead initiatives.
- Facilitate board reporting or other executive-level communications as needed.
- Serve as a liaison between the President and Dean, leadership team, and staff, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and accountability.
- Anticipates, identifies and troubleshoots issues of concern or significance; exercises discretion to provide timely information and necessary updates across multiple stakeholders; responds to inquiries as delegated by the executive.
- Provides support, structure, and advice for effective Board governance.
Leadership & Culture
- Model and reinforce the organization's values and mission.
- Champion workplace culture and inclusion initiatives.
- Ensure institutional policies are updated and consistent with mission and organizational priorities.
- Promote an environment of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.