A White House senior adviser can handle a range of duties. President George W. Bush's top political aide Karl Rove held the title in the current administration.
Jarrett has a background in real estate and politics in Chicago.
Obama names Valerie Jarrett as senior adviser
WASHINGTON - November 14, 2008 - Jarrett, who hired Michelle Obama for a job in the Chicago
mayor's office years ago, is one of the president-elect's closest
friends and advisers. Her name has been floated for several top
administration jobs. But Obama settled on the senior adviser role,
said a person close to the president-elect and willing to speak
only on background because the decision has not been officially
announced.
