Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff & Secretary of Corporation
Job Title: Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Secretary of Corporation Department: Office of the President Reports To: President and CEO FLSA Status: Exempt Band: Executive JOB DESCRIPTION The Senior Vice President (SVP), Chief of Staff (CoS) and Secretary of Corporation’s role manages the Office of the President (OOP) while partnering with leaders across the organization to ensure alignment with the President and CEO’s vision and operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and external relationships, translating organizational vision into coordinated action while ensuring the CEO’s bandwidth is optimized for highest-impact priorities. This role oversees complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, and serves as the primary bridge between executive leadership, the Board of Directors, member institutions, and key external partners. The Senior Vice President, Secretary of the Corporation (Secretary) is responsible for overseeing the governance responsibilities of the board and its committees. The Secretary provides advice and counsel to ensure the board effectively discharges its fiduciary duties while promoting transparency, integrity, and accuracy. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining accurate records of the board’s actions, compliance with fiduciary requirements, facilitation of communication among board members and stakeholders, and managing and executing logistics for the board and member president meetings. The Secretary works closely with the board chair, chair of the members, and the CEO, serving as a confidante and resource to the board, member presidents, and senior management. ABOUT UNCF The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has been an engine of educational achievement for more than 80 years. UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of HBCU students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates. In addition, UNCF ensures that its member institutions remain respected models of best practices in moving students to and through college. Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has raised over $6 billion in private support, distributed scholarships to help students attend school, and enabled more than 500,000 scholars and low-income students to graduate from UNCF’s member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and launch professional careers. UNCF is committed to closing the educational attainment gap by increasing postsecondary access and success for student groups, particularly low-income and first-generation students. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: CEO \& Operational Effectiveness * Optimize CEO bandwidth through strategic prioritization, calendar management, and gatekeeping * Provide senior strategic counsel on complex organizational challenges and confidential matters * Enable productive CEO engagement across fundraising, board relations, and organizational leadership: Design processes, communication structures, and decision making frameworks to enhance performance * Strengthen OOP infrastructure and processes to support sustained organizational growth and effectiveness; Manage OOP operations including OOP budget, standard operating procedures, and coordination of all CEO direct reports * Improve organizational processes and communication structures, including briefing protocols and decision-making frameworks * Represent CEO in certain critical meetings; prepare executive briefings and decision materials * Lead crisis response and urgent organizational matters requiring swift resolution * Collaborate with key roles in the OOP to ensure effective communications to include critical issues, important information sharing and urgent decision making rises to the attention of the President \& CEO timely Impact Portfolio \& Major Initiative Oversight * Oversee portfolio of transformational partnerships and initiatives * Maintain comprehensive dashboards providing visibility into progress, outcomes, risks, and resource needs across strategic priorities * Partner with department and program leads to ensure accountability, resolve roadblocks, and drive results * Coordinate cross-functional teams, internal and external consultants to advance complex, multi-year initiatives Stakeholder Engagement \& External Relations * Support the CEO in cultivating and manage relationships with major donors, philanthropic partners, member institution presidents, and external stakeholders critical to organizational success * Represent CEO priorities in senior-level relationship management, conducting background research and strategic preparation to maximize impact of CEO engagements * Coordinate high-level meetings and donor communications in partnership with Development leadership Secretary of the Corporation * Provide guidance to the Board Chair, Chair of the Members, and CEO in executing the responsibilities of the board * Act as a vital link for information, communication, and advice between the company and its board, members and other stakeholders * Manage the company’s corporate governance framework to include the election of officers and committee chairs, and the development, maintenance, and effective execution of the company’s by-laws and charters * In partnership with UNCF’s Legal Advisor, ensure compliance with all fiduciary and regulatory requirements related to corporate governance procedures, relevant laws, and regulations. * Oversee/conduct induction training (orientation) for newly elected directors and member presidents and support board member education, training, and initiatives * Review, prepare, and distribute board materials (with Board Chair, Chair of the Members, and CEO) and prepare and maintain minutes of board, member, and committee meetings and formal resolutions when required * Support the board and members in the development and implementation of policies and procedures * Able to effectively and diplomatically manage board member conflicts of interest * Provides oversight to the Director, Board Relations \& Assistant Secretary of Corporation and the logistics team as they organize and manage travel, hotel, and meeting logistics for board and member president meetings, special events such as the Chair’s dinner and Member School Tours to include securing special guests, speech development, communications, invitations, and meeting set-up * Ensure the Legal Advisor maintains proper levels of director insurance SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Will directly supervise the Director, Board Relations \& Assistant Secretary of Corporation. QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Required: * 10+ years of progressively more responsible experience in leadership and management, and a proven track record of senior leadership in complex, mission-driven organizations * Strong executive presence and credibility with C-suite leaders, board members, and external partners * Outstanding judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters * Experience managing board relations and preparing governance materials * Ability to dive into complex problems and drive effective resolution * The capacity to represent UNCF with stakeholders of all orientations and interests * A demonstrated capacity and ability to navigate complex organizational environments. A proven track record of creative and energetic problem-solving with demonstrated sophistication and a propensity for innovation in advancing operations and infrastructure * Capable of inspiring and leading by example amidst smart, high-achieving colleagues who often juggle competing priorities and demands * An ability to write and communicate effectively, for a variety of audiences, in person, print, and on social media * Highest standards of integrity and ethics, even under, and especially in, challenging circumstances * Excellent interpersonal skills and executive presence paired with a demonstrated ability to give voice to constraints on proposed Board actions while maintaining a positive and supportive culture * Ability to see around the corner, readily uncover hidden implications, anticipate challenges, and take pleasure in promoting a confident problem-solving culture * A Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration or similar degree. 10+ years of experience in the fields of management consulting, project management or strategy with a focus on organizational effectiveness. 5+ years of experience in a non-profit organization a plus Preferred: * Senior leadership experience in large, national organizations (corporate or nonprofit) * Previous experience as Secretary or in an Office of the Secretary to a corporate board is preferred * Consulting or advisory experience with national nonprofits and membership organizations * Higher education or HBCU sector knowledge