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The Chief of Staff to the Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) for Research & Innovation (R&I) serves as a trusted advisor, integrator, and execution partner, responsible for translating vision into coordinated institutional action across the research enterprise. Reporting directly to the SEVP-RI, the Chief of Staff owns the executive operating rhythm for R&I (cadence, portfolio, decision tracking) and ensures disciplined follow-through across institutes, partners, and leadership teams.
This role blends strategic partnership with operational leadership – approximately one-third strategic planning and advisory work, complemented by hands-on coordination that ensures ideas become outcomes. The Chief of Staff works side-by-side with the SEVP-R&I to align priorities, synthesize emerging opportunities, and oversee delivery of major initiatives that advance UT San Antonio’s research and innovation agenda.
- Bachelors degree in higher education administration, public policy, business or related filed required.
- Advanced degree (MPA, MBA, PhD, or equivalent) preferred.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and execute large-scale institutional initiatives.
- Proficiency building and operating an executive PMO or “control tower” function; fluency in OKRs/KPIs and portfolio management tools.
- Exceptional strategic, analytical, and operational leadership skills. Advanced communication and presentation abilities; high emotional intelligence and discretion.
- Demonstrated capacity to manage complexity and competing priorities with poise.
- Collaborative leadership style fostering trust, alignment, and shared accountability.
- Partner with the SEVP-R&I in developing, prioritizing, and implementing institutional initiatives across research, innovation, and partnerships.
- Maintain situational awareness of emerging national research priorities (NSF, DOE, DoD, NIH, ARPA-H, etc.) and translate them into actionable institutional strategies.
- Coordinate execution of the SEVP-R&I’s strategic agenda across vice presidents, associate vice presidents, institute directors, and external partners.
- Support cross-cutting initiatives-federal engagement, philanthropic development, and large-scale proposals – ensuring alignment with institutional objectives.
- Oversee the daily rhythm of the SEVP-R&I office, ensuring accountability and timely delivery across multiple projects.
- Supervise project managers, communications and marketing, events, federal relations, and administrative teams.
- Establish and manage a single source of truth for R&I initiatives; publish a monthly performance pack with milestones, risks, and decision status.
- Represent the SEVP-RI in meetings and working groups, ensuring institutional follow-through and message coherence.
- Partner with the AVP for Administration & Operations to align workflow, delegation, and portfolio management across the research enterprise.
- Lead regent, board, and legislative brief development in partnership with Government Relations and Communications.
- Support institutional governance and cross-institutional engagement, ensuring accuracy and message consistency.
- Prepare concise, data-driven decision briefs that distill complex issues into clear executive options.
- Set clear goals, feedback cadences, and development plans for supervised teams; coordinate dotted-line contributors.
- Build strong morale and cross-functional collaboration among R&I leadership units.
- Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and respect across the enterprise.
- Periodic travel to Austin, Washington D.C., and institute sites.
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