Description

Comprised of 8 unique schools with more than 1,000 faculty, 12,000 students and 30,000 staff, the University of Rochester is a leading research university with a long tradition of breaking boundaries. As a community, the University is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that motto are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. 

To steward the University of Rochester’s mission, vision and governance, the President’s Office is seeking its next Secretary to the Board of Trustees. This Executive Leader is a member of the President’s Senior Leadership team, working closely with the President, Cabinet, and other senior administrators to support institutional strategic planning, policy development, process improvement and problem resolution. The University’s Board of Trustees provides oversight to these functions.

 The Secretary to the Board of Trustees is charged with coordinating the work of the Board of Trustees’ governance, including its 11 sub-committees. This is achieved through the following key areas: 

Governance: 

• Maintains the University by-laws and all amendments; interprets University by-laws and provides objective guidance in consultation with legal counsel when appropriate. 

• Manages the work of the board and its committees. This includes preparing meeting agendas and materials, identifying specific issues for discussion or vote, drafting talking points and remarks, planning meeting logistics, and following up on action items post-meeting. 

• Coordinates board and committee membership, including identifying prospective members; engaging with the board on the appointment process, participating in new trustee orientation and managing trustee transitions on and off the board.

Relationship Development: 

• Is the principal organizing liaison between University leadership and the board, facilitating communication between these entities to ensure both have the information needed to work productively. 

• Works closely with the Office of Advancement to maintain and support trustee relationships. 

• Coordinates a broad range of board-related communications to or from the board or individual trustees. This includes communications that may be related to potentially sensitive matters.

Special Programs: 

• Plans and implements board and committee events, oversees planning for the University’s annual commencement ceremony.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for the Secretary to the Board of Trustees will bring over 7 years of leadership experience, including experience collaborating with governing entities. This individual will also have experience networking and cultivating relationships, partnerships and alliances. 

Having worked within a large, matrixed organization is helpful, as well as an understanding of higher education systems and infrastructure. Candidates will also need to demonstrate their ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion when dealing with sensitive information.

Job ID: 244600

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, create – and Make the World Ever Better.  

In support of our values and those of our society, the University will select faculty and staff without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law.  This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.