Chief of Staff | Job Description

Position Overview:

The Chief of Staff is a critical leadership role responsible for driving organizational efficiency, fostering cross-team collaboration, and ensuring the CEO's time and energy are focused on macro-strategy, fundraising, and external stakeholder engagement. Acting as an organizational integrator, the Chief of Staff connects siloed departments and translates executive vision into actionable operational goals. The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic extension of the CEO, translating executive priorities into coordinated action across the organization. The role is responsible for leadership alignment, cross-functional execution, strategic initiatives, and ensuring that major organizational priorities move from decision to implementation.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • This position may supervise staff assigned to the Office of the CEO but primarily exercises leadership through cross-functional coordination rather than direct supervisory authority.

Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Planning & Project Management

    • Lead annual goal-setting, organizational planning, and performance measurement across departments.

    • Oversee cross-functional, organization-wide special projects that lack a clear departmental home.

    • Maintain organizational visibility into strategic goals and key performance indicators; identify deviations, clarify ownership, and ensure unresolved barriers are elevated to the appropriate executive.

    • Identify operational bottlenecks and propose new systems, processes, or frameworks to resolve them.

  • Executive Support

    • Support the CEO in managing the cadence of board meetings, coordinating agenda preparation, and drafting presentation materials or slide decks.

    • Prepare the CEO for key meetings, speaking engagements, and media events by drafting briefing notes, speeches, and summaries.

  • Leadership Alignment & Communications

    • Facilitate regular executive and leadership team meetings, ensuring structured decision-making and strong follow-through.

    • Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board for the CEO on sensitive internal issues, culture, and organizational design.

    • Oversee internal communications to ensure staff across all levels understand organizational priorities and major leadership decisions.

    • Act as a bridge and resource for team members, reducing friction and answering high-level strategy questions.

  • Operations & Team Supervision

    • Supervise, mentor, and support executive administrative staff (such as Executive Assistants or Office Managers).

    • Support human resources and talent development initiatives, championing equity, inclusion, and team morale.

    • Lead or support CEO-sponsored initiatives that fall outside established departmental ownership, including selected fundraising, financial, operational, or external-relations projects.

    • Maintain visibility into the CEO’s major organizational priorities, ensuring decisions are translated into clear owners, deliverables, deadlines, and follow-up.

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Strategic Mindset: Ability to see the big picture (macro-strategy) while zooming in to execute granular details and action plans.

  • Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, from frontline staff to major donors and board members.

  • Emotional Intelligence: High self-awareness, tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment when handling confidential or sensitive information.

  • Problem-Solving: Resourceful and adaptable; comfortable navigating ambiguity and designing clear solutions from complex situations.

Success in this role includes:

  • Organizational priorities consistently having clear owners and deadlines;

  • Leadership decisions resulting in timely follow-through;

  • Cross-functional projects remaining on track;

  • Fewer unresolved issues requiring direct CEO intervention;

  • Board and executive meetings being well prepared and resulting in clear action;

  • Improved visibility into organizational goals and performance.

Education and Experience:

  • Experience: 5-8+ years of professional experience in operations, strategic planning, or project management, preferably within the nonprofit or social impact sector.

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or similar) is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

  • Must be able to navigate various departments of the foundation’s physical   premises.

  • Extended work hours (10 – 12 hrs/day) may be required due to attendance at and participation in networking and industry functions that begin before the workday and extend into the evening.