Presidential Fellow

The Presidential Fellow is a full-time position for a student who will receive an undergraduate degree from UVA in Spring 2024 or a person who has recently received a UVA undergraduate degree. As a staff member in the Office of the President, the Presidential Fellow works on initiatives related to the President’s current, highest priorities while carrying out other essential duties related to the activities of the President’s staff. The Presidential Fellow will conduct research, coordinate outreach and communications, and manage special projects as assigned by the President, Chief of Staff, and other members of the President’s Office team. The Presidential Fellow reports to the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

This position has a 12-month term limit, with an anticipated start date of July 31, 2024, although there is flexibility for the start date. At the conclusion of the appointment, the Presidential Fellow will be required to submit a written summary report of accomplishments, including recommendations for current and future initiatives.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Project Support and Communications 

• Assists with and helps to execute special projects in the Office of the President such as Run with Jim, Double Take, Carr’s Hill Open Houses and Inside UVA podcast prep, etc.
• Serves as a liaison between the President’s Office and other University departments for specific projects and assignments.
• Serves on University committees as needed.
• Stays abreast of key issues of interest to the student body and helps identify issues that need attention or intervention.
• Provides coverage and assistance during major University events, as necessary (e.g., Final Exercises, Founder’s Day, visits by dignitaries).
• Drafts briefing and background materials for the President and President’s office staff in advance of meetings and events.
• Drafts letters and correspondence for the President’s Office; assists with tracking correspondence to ensure a coordinated and timely response.
• Conducts research related to the President’s speaking events and drafts talking points, in support of the President’s speechwriter.
• Drafts content for the President’s social media accounts.

Support for the President’s Priorities

• Identifies and supports opportunities for the President to engage with the University community, with a particular focus on opportunities for student interaction.
• Researches and analyzes issues in higher education for the President’s review and use.
• Serves as liaison to the President’s Student Advisory Council.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Carries out other duties as assigned by the President or President’s Office staff.
• Assists with unforeseen priorities that emerge in the Office of the President.
• May be required to assist the University or State government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Skills and Qualifications

Required Education:

• A degree from UVA with recent demonstrated knowledge of the culture within the University of Virginia is required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; proven ability to clearly articulate information in multiple forums to a broad array of stakeholders.
• Excellent operational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Ability to interact with executive level administrators, government officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders in a productive, positive, and professional manner.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to exercise discretion in prioritizing tasks, sharing information, and using independent judgment.
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to take initiative by thinking proactively about team needs.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of and passion for the University of Virginia, its culture, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to translate prior UVA experiences and knowledge in support of the institution’s mission, strategic aims, and programs.

The anticipated hiring salary is $45,000 to $55,000.

This position will remain open until filled.  Review of applications will begin on March 4, 2024. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. For more information on benefits, visit UVA benefits .  The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

The position is located in Charlottesville, VA and is required to work in in person in a shared office space on the grounds of the University of Virginia.

To Apply:

Please apply through UVA job board and search for R0056819. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs’.   Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV
• Cover letter
• A writing sample or writing exercise
• A list of at least five references

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.  Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey.  A total of five references will be requested via Skill Survey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Ashley Cochran, Academic Lead, Senior Recruiter at [email protected] .

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.