PAYROLL TITLE: PENDING CLASSIFICATION

This position is designated Confidential within the meaning of the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act.

DESCRIPTION:
The Chief of Staff (COS) position reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and acts on behalf of the Vice Chancellor in his absence. The COS is a member of the Vice Chancellor’s leadership teams, and other advisory groups that may be added. The COS advises the Vice Chancellor and coordinates with other senior campus officials on all matters of interest to the Vice Chancellor including policy, programs, personnel, and community relations. The COS represents the Vice Chancellor in discussions with Deans, Chairs, and the Associate Vice Chancellor/CEO of the Medical Center, as well as UC San Diego Foundation trustees, the UC Office of the President, and the Office of the Regents. The COS manages confidential and sensitive issues for the Vice Chancellor and develops solutions to a wide range of issues in all areas of health sciences operations involving the Vice Chancellor. As chief-of-staff, the COS will interact regularly with Campus Counsel and University Communications. The COS performs a wide range of duties which require tact, sensitivity, independent judgment, diplomacy, organizational skills, flexibility, and discretion; and is responsible for maintaining strict confidentiality of privileged information.

The COS functions as a primary line officer. Direct reports include the administrative functions of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS), Medical Education Administration, and VCHS Administrative Support Group. This position is the Vice Chancellor’s contact point with the Office of Development, Health Sciences Communications, as well as with the senior leadership of the hospitals and medical groups. The COS is responsible for UC San Diego Health Sciences’ education and research affiliations. This position is responsible for moving issues to resolution, and is paramount to the Vice Chancellor’s success in managing the UCSD Health Sciences enterprise. This position will work directly with the Vice Chancellor to plan and achieve new educational and research affiliations, including but not limited to new professional schools. This is a highly visible, interactive, and inclusive position that requires direct and continuous interaction with leadership of all components of the Health Sciences, as well as the Campus and the University.

QUALIFICATIONS:
*Demonstrated background to function at an executive level within the UC system and as such, work independently and exercise sound judgment, particularly when representing the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences.

*Thorough knowledge of University policies with regard to assessment, administration, allocation, and appropriate use of resources.

*Demonstrated ability to understand, analyze, and interpret complex written material and financial data, and effectively communicate results of analyses.

*Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential issues that require independent judgment and strict discretion, and maintain strict confidentiality of privileged information.

*Demonstrated ability to work with senior officials and executives from within and outside the University, and ability to think strategically and serve as a sounding board for executive managers.

*Ability to interact diplomatically with diverse personalities and to exercise judgment and tact in interactions with faculty, staff, students, and the public.

*Ability to exercise good judgment and effectively organize, prioritize and perform multiple job functions and conflicting priorities, meet established deadlines with short turn-around times, and manage changing situations.

*Proven ability and skill to identify and analyze complex situations, present alternatives and options, and recommend or implement effective courses of action.

*Excellent negotiating skills and proven ability to resolve conflicts.

*Knowledge of management principles and practices.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
*Broad knowledge of UC and governance, organizational structure, instructional and research programs, and academic and research policies and procedures to encompass a global perspective for the VCHS Office.

*Working knowledge of the operational and long-range goals and policies of the University of California.

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that values workforce diversity.