Chief of Staff to Senior Executive Vice President Research & Innovation

Chief of Staff to the Senior Executive Vice President Research & Innovation Job Description

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, research administration, or complex public institutions. Experience with non-health research sectors (e.g., NSF, DOE, DoD, DARPA) required; experience integratin

• Job Identification 5809
• Job Category Executive Leadership
• Posting Date 01/09/2026, 11:50 PM
• Location  Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, US (On-site)
• Apply Before 01/29/2026, 11:50 PM
• Organization R1000 - Vice President for Research, UT Health Science Center, UT Health Science Center
• Department R1000 - Vice President for Research