Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff is a key executive role, strategic thought partner, and organizational leader, directly supporting the CEO by wearing the hats of advisor, implementer and integrator and closely collaborating with the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors. This role is vital in the strategic execution and operational alignment of the LWVUS/LWVEF mission and values. The Chief of Staff ensures that the organization’s strategies, structures, and culture are cohesively aligned and effectively implemented.

The Chief of Staff has central responsibility for organizational governance, board management, and other strategic initiatives as assigned. They help to drive organizational goals by leading the executive admin team, working across departments with fellow executive team members, and consistently working to strengthen and build intra-organizational relationships.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Act as right-hand to the CEO, providing support on strategic initiatives and decision-making processes.
• Manage the flow of communication between CEO and Executive Leadership Team, ensuring alignment on priorities, deadlines and performance goals.
• Coordinate executive team meetings, including proposing agendas, preparing materials, and ensuring actional outcomes.
• Facilitate effective cross-departmental collaboration among senior leadership to drive organization-wide strategic initiatives.
• Lead the implementation of special projects, working closely with department heads and ensuring timely completion.
• Manage executive team, including retreats, objectives and agendas, participation in all aspects of the leadership team’s work on strategic and operational planning; develops agendas, tracks agreements and follow-up activities.
• Provide analysis and strategic recommendation to the CEO to address deficiencies in initiatives or cross department coordination.

Board Governance and Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison between the executive team and the Board of Directors, ensuring seamless communication.
• Oversee meeting preparation and planning for Board of Directors, including on-boarding of new board members, planning and execution of board meetings, and evaluation of board and work to ensure BOD committee efficacy
• Lead the preparation and organization of board meetings, ensuring all materials are accurate, timely, and aligned around governance policies.
• Oversee the maintenance of board governance documents, including bylaws, charters, and board materials and manuals.
• Support CEO in managing relationships with the board members and ensure that the governance processes align with organizational goals.
• Work with COO to ensure compliance of governance and regulatory standards, working closely with operations and compliance teams.
• Provide executive-level support for the Board of Directors, including meeting scheduling, agenda development, recording meeting minutes, and action record-keeping.

Strategic and Administrative Leadership

• Lead the development of organizational goals and monitor the execution of the strategic initiatives, tracking KPIs, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Serve as key advisor to the CEO on organizational effectiveness, and resource allocation.
• Drive the development and execution of key operational initiatives across departments to ensure alignment with long-term strategic goals.
• Partnering with COO to oversee implementation of organizational policies and procedures, ensuring they support organizational mission and business objectives.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key communication hub for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring consistent messaging across the organization.
• Support internal communications efforts to keep staff informed of executive decisions, organizational changes, and key initiatives.
• Represent the CEO and the organization at high-level meetings, events, and engagements when necessary.
• Manage office of League CEO and President
• Leads organization’s focus on Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Provides support to local and state Leagues as required; serves as arbiter when needed
• Supports success of CEO; serves as surrogate as needed

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field. CAE certification is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• 15 years of experience in non-profit or federated association leadership positions preferably in corporate and association environments.
• Proven knowledge of key organizational issues and priorities (e.g., organizational structures, functions, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong knowledge of board governance, regulatory standards, and compliance frameworks.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and collaboratively.
• Strategic relationship-building and cultivation with key internal and external stakeholders;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability with a keen attention to detail and judgment to prioritize, plan, and accomplish goals.
• Experience working with Board of Directors in a nonprofit, association, or corporate setting.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinker: Able to see the big picture and align operational activities with organizational goals.
• Influence & Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to lead and influence at all levels, including executives and board members.
• Organizational Agility: Skilled at navigating complex organizational structures and driving results through collaboration and leadership.
• Board Governance Expertise: Deep understanding of governance structures, board engagement, and regulatory compliance.
• Project Management: Ability to manage high-priority projects from conception to execution, ensuring organizational objectives are met.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to interact effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The person in this position is primarily sedentary and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access office machinery. The person must also be available to travel to offices and events. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer, and computer printer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is generally indoors and rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate-to-low.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The League of Women Voters of the United States is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace based on equal opportunity. The League is committed to hiring staff that reflects this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic identity; a workplace where true diversity is fostered, and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged. We encourage women, minorities, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

COMPENSATION

$170,000 - $190,000 annual salary plus generous benefits package.