Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

About StriveTogether

StriveTogether is a national network of community partnerships that brings together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Cradle to Career Network members change the way their communities work together by building connections, sharing resources and using data to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. Our work helps young people meet seven key life milestones so that they have the opportunities they need to reach their goals, and, ultimately, thrive.

StriveTogether team members are leaders committed to building a future where every young person has access to the opportunities they need to succeed. We are community supporters, difference makers and compassionate leaders. Above all, we are champions for every child. At StriveTogether, we cultivate an environment where every member of our team can grow both personally and professionally. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to help communities across the country improve outcomes for every child, cradle to career.

About You

You are a dynamic, mission-driven leader adept at managing organizational priorities, cross-functional coordination and fostering alignment across teams. You cultivate a culture of collaboration and accountability, and are known for your ability to "get stuff done." You are a problem-solver who builds build deep relationships that engender trust, allowing you to achieve ambitious results and outcomes. You are the ultimate utility player who is able to analyze various situations for what is needed in the moment, and are ready to step in and provide leadership and support where needed.

About the Position

Serving as trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO, the Chief of Staff supports the CEO to ensure effective use of their time, energy and talents. The Chief of Staff serves as a liaison or proxy for the CEO as needed and leads key initiatives on behalf of the CEO including planning Board meetings, tracking and managing the strategy for high level relationship and partnership management, and key communications. The Chief of Staff will work closely with the CEO's Executive Assistant on communications and scheduling and will coordinate internally to ensure effective decision making and implementation on key initiatives.

Partnership Support (35%)

• Partner with the CEO to prioritize and manage key organizational partnerships and relationships aligned with StriveTogether's mission and goals
• Map out and effectively move forward key bodies of work to advance field partnership alignment and collaboration
• Build systems and structures for the CEO's inbox management alongside the CEO's Executive Assistant ensuring timely and effective communication
• Support and coach the Executive Assistant on communications, ensuring effective prioritization of relevant stakeholder communications
• Alongside the Executive Assistant to the CEO, draft the strategy and communications for a subset of VIP relationships and partnerships
• As needed, prepare briefings, presentations and reports for the CEO and other stakeholders

Board Management (30%)

• On behalf of the CEO, serve as key liaison and point of contact for the Board of Directors
• Lead planning of Board meetings and retreats, including designing agendas, identifying speakers, compiling materials, supporting presenters, and timely pre-and post-meeting communications
• Work with Executive Assistant to coordinate all logistics and scheduling for meetings and retreats
• Support the Board Chair in Board meetings and retreats, ensuring time is well spent, and objectives are achieved
• Staff the Governance Committee on behalf of the CEO and contribute to governance best practices, ensuring meeting materials are prepared, and follow up actions are completed
• Support staffing of other Board committees as needed

Productivity Enhancement (20%)

• Regularly support CEO to determine strategic priorities, metrics of success and evaluate progress
• Work with the Executive Assistant to strategically manage the CEO's time and schedule, helping to ensure efficient time management, appropriate preparation and alignment with organizational priorities

Cross-functional Coordination (15%)

• Serve as a liaison between the executive leadership team and other departments, streamlining communication, ensuring alignment and bringing together multiple stakeholders to drive action and decisions
• Monitor internal organizational pulse, information flow and needs, elevating priority areas to CEO and organizational leadership as needed
• Ensure CEO's involvement in a project or decision making is at the right moment, and serve as a gatekeeper when needed
• Alongside relevant departments, manage CEO's internal communication calendar and ensure messages are consistent and clear
• Monitor all internal communications and track to ensure they are addressed effectively in a timely manner

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of operational leadership and management expertise
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex work streams and achieving results
• Strategic planning experience, and a strategic mindset when considering all operations and management
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Exceptional relationship builder able to collaborate, influence and motivate others to outcomes
• Thrives in a fast-paced, complex and changing organization
• Ability to effectively use remote work technology, including Slack, Zoom and other technology
• Authorized to work in the US

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in public administration, business administration, nonprofit management or related field
• Experience working in education, community development or systems change initiatives, ideally in place-based and collective action sector
• Prior experience as a Chief of Staff, consultant or similar role supporting executive leaders focused on long-term and enterprise-level priorities
• Prior experiences in a national and growing organization
• Prior change management experience, formal change management training or certification a plus

Location and Work Requirements

This role can be fully remote or based out of StriveTogether's downtown Cincinnati headquarters. We will give preference to Cincinnati-based candidates.

• Cincinnati employees have a hybrid work schedule and come into the office three times per week. The dog-friendly office features company-paid parking, a rooftop deck, and snacks and beverages. Candidates based in Cincinnati should expect 25% travel.
• Anticipated travel for remote staff members is 40-50%. Fully remote team members have access to DeskPass for community desk and meeting room options.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $185,000 - $200,000. The salary range accounts for Cincinnati-similar geographic regions and may be adjusted based on the cost of labor of the geographic market.

StriveTogether is committed to fair compensation practices. To ensure consistency, salaries are determined based on the readiness for the position, market competitiveness and fair pay structures across the team. As a result, StriveTogether does not engage in salary negotiations.

StriveTogether also provides competitive benefits and professional development opportunities including:

• Fifteen days paid time off with four personal days, eleven holidays and a five-day break at the end of the year. PTO increases to twenty days after five years and staff members can apply for sabbatical in their seventh year of employment
• Competitive health and dental with up to $2,500 contribution from the organization for HSA for HDHP participants
• Automatic 3% employer contribution to retirement plan and up to another 1% based on a total of 5% employee contribution
• Options for professional development internally and externally including webinars, conferences and trainings
• Paid parental leave
• 100% paid vision, short-term and long-term disability, basic life insurance and access to Employee Assistance Program
• Cell phone, internet and $250 yearly home office stipend

Application and Interview Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a target start date in July 2025. The process below is reflective of the typical process but may adjust slightly based on need and timing.

• Phone Screen
• Stakeholder Interview(s)
• Performance Task
• Panel Interview
• Interview with CEO
• Reference Checks

We encourage candidates to apply by April 14, 2025 for their application to be considered

If you need assistance completing your application or require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process due to a disability or another reason protected by law, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive process and are here to help. Please contact us at px@strivetogether.org.

StriveTogether seeks to bring in a talented and engaged workforce from a range of backgrounds. We recognize that you may not have an exact match with every qualification for this role, and that's okay - we encourage you to apply. We value unique experiences and perspectives, and we welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

StriveTogether provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, domestic partnership status, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

StriveTogether participates in the E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov