Overview

This position serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the offices of the Board of Regents and Secretary of the Board (CEO/Secretary). The CEO/Secretary is a non-voting executive officer of the Board of Regents governing the Oklahoma State University System, Langston University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Connors State College, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. The CEO/Secretary is accountable solely to the Board of Regents (Board) and is responsible for the management and administration of the affairs which are a direct responsibility of the Board. Maintaining effective communications with the Board members and institutional presidents and administrators is a fundamental responsibility of this role. This position is based in Oklahoma City but requires frequent travel to the institutions.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Support

• Manages the Board’s offices and supervises the professional and clerical personnel who serve the Board (Executive/Administrative Office, Office of Legal Counsel, and Office of Internal Audit);
• Provides a full range of general administrative support to the Board and the Chair, including planning, preparation, and staffing for all Board and committee meetings as well as other events; and serve as an ex officio member of each standing committee;
• Collaborates with institutional administrators to develop agendas for meetings of the Board and committees; and
• Administers the annual operating budget for the Board offices.

Governance Oversight, Support, and Planning

• Maintains a broad, high-level view of the colleges and universities and the Board’s stewardship of them in order to effectively contribute to the work of the Board;
• Facilitates effective governance through long-range planning, communication, and problem-solving regarding significant issues and challenges facing the Board;
• Ensures that the Board’s activities comply with all pertinent legal obligations;
• Maintains and disseminates official records of all Board actions and serves as custodian of the corporate seal, minutes, archives, public records, and all supporting documents;
• Execute or attest to, in the name of the Board, a broad range of documents necessary for the operation of the institutions; and
• Acts as a reliable source of knowledge pertaining to all policies and requirements of the Board.

External and Internal Liaison and Adviser

• Primarily functions as an internal administrative role, though some external engagement with constituency groups is expected;
• Serves as primary liaison between the Board and college and university administrations, working directly with the Regents and Presidents on a regular basis;
• Responds to communications and attends events on behalf of the Board; and
• Oversees the appropriate dissemination of information regarding Board actions, accomplishments, and activities, to include maintaining the Board’s website, ensuring effective media relations, and providing internal institutional constituents with convenient access to needed information.

Qualifications

• Documented record of significant accomplishments, including experience related to governance,  substantive  service  in  relevant  academic  settings,  or  distinguished professional practice, and to possess an understanding of higher education issues, practices, and traditions; and
• Earned master’s degree, professional degree, or equivalent career experience in a relevant discipline,  i.e.,  law,  public  policy,  business,  communications,  higher  education administration.

Competencies

• Demonstrable  leadership  skills,  a  record  of  sound  judgment,  highly-developed communications skills, finesse, and diplomacy;
• Strong sense of intuition and political acumen with a talent for building effective interpersonal relationships at all levels as well as the ability to establish and maintain trusted partnerships and derive satisfaction from the success of others;
• High personal integrity and the ability to evoke confidence in others, maintain strict confidentiality in a variety of situations, sometimes using proprietary information to wisely advise others who do not have direct access to the information;
• Ability to recognize big picture issues and trends and know when to alert Board members (individually and collectively) regarding developing issues as well as be proactive in anticipating potential flaws in process, policy, and relationships, and devising strategies to avert or repair them; and
• Maintain a sense of order in complex and volatile situations, display flexibility and excellent customer service skills, and be highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To receive full consideration, nominations and applications should be submitted by January 2, 2026.  Please submit a resume and letter of interest to:

Mr. Joe Hall, Chair

CEO & Board Secretary Search Committee

board@okstate.edu