Kansas State University (K-State) invites nominations and applications for the role of Chief of Staff to the President (COS). Reporting to the President, the next COS will serve as President Richard Linton's senior advisor and essential partner for advancing institutional priorities, enhancing organizational alignment, and ensuring the effective execution of presidential initiatives.
Located in Manhattan, KS, the Chief of Staff will operate at the center of institutional leadership, helping to translate the President’s vision into action while ensuring that the President’s time, attention, and influence are focused on the university’s highest-impact opportunities.
The Chief of Staff will provide counsel on complex issues, anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, and prepare the President for successful engagement across a wide range of internal and external settings. This individual will play a critical role in coordinating across senior leadership, fostering alignment, and ensuring follow-through on key institutional priorities and commitments.
The Chief of Staff will also lead special projects and institutional initiatives on behalf of the President, bringing structure, accountability, and momentum to efforts that span multiple units and stakeholders. In doing so, the Chief of Staff will help advance a culture of collaboration, clarity, and results.
Additionally, the role serves as a key connector between the President and the broader university and external community. The Chief of Staff will strengthen relationships with faculty, staff, students, governing boards, community partners, and public officials, and will represent the President as appropriate.
This opportunity comes at an important moment for Kansas State University, as the institution continues to build momentum, enhance its national profile, and further define and strengthen the Chief of Staff function within a fast-paced, collaborative leadership environment. The successful candidate will bring strategic acumen, exceptional judgment, and a deep commitment to institutional mission to help the university continue its upward trajectory.
You can read more details about this Chief of Staff position by viewing the leadership profile.
The mission of Kansas State University is to foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community. The university embraces all, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.
Under the university's strategic plan, K-State is committed to lead the nation as a next-generation land-grant university – setting the standard for inspiring learning, creativity, discovery and engagement that positively impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and around the world.
Read more about Kansas State University and our Strategic Plan on our website.
Learn more about Manhattan, Kansas and discover why you were Made for Manhattan.
This position is On-site.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and ten years of experience providing senior-level strategic, operational and advisory support with demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership, managing complex initiatives, coordinating across multiple leaders, or units and exercising sound judgment in sensitive or confidential matters.
The bachelor’s degree requirement is necessary to ensure the foundational analytical, communication, and organizational competencies required to support executive decision making, interpret complex institutional issues, and operate effectively within the governance, policy, and stakeholder environments of a comprehensive public university. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.
- Requires a valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (e.g., master’s, doctorate, or equivalent terminal degree)
- Senior leadership experience in higher education, particularly in a public, land‑grant, or research‑intensive institution
- Prior experience working directly with a president, chancellor, governing board, or cabinet‑level executive
- Demonstrated success managing cross‑functional, institution‑wide projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Experience with cabinet coordination and executive agenda development
- Experience representing executive leadership with internal and external stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, alumni, donors, or military partners
- Strong understanding of shared governance, board relations, and public accountability environments
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience supporting speeches, briefings, and executive correspondence
- Demonstrated political and organizational acumen, with the ability to navigate complex institutional dynamics
- Experience coordinating executive‑level communications across units or in partnership with a central communications function
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
WittKieffer is assisting Kansas State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by July 31, 2026. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at www.wittkieffer.com.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Sandra Chu ([email protected]) and Kim Migoya ([email protected]).
Applications close on: July 31, 2026
$225,000 - $260,000
