Title: Chief of Staff Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Revised: October 2021
Position Purpose
As the trusted partner to the CEO, this position is part of the DC Bar Foundation’s Senior Leadership Team with the primary focus on the development and improvement of ideas, systems, and processes, through the execution of strategic priorities.
Essential Job Functions
The following list of duties is not exhaustive. The Foundation may also outline additional duties and responsibilities not included in this job description.
Direct Support of the CEO
Work with leaders to establish strategic priorities, revisit metrics regularly, and evaluate progress against them
Serve as proxy for the CEO in specific situations
Strategically manage the CEO’s time, tracking external opportunities, including long-term travel and meeting plans, and assessing their fit against priorities
Ensure the CEOs' involvement in project or decision-making processes takes place at key times, where their input and authority are most needed
Prepare the CEO for meetings by ensuring providing all information necessary to be productive and engaged; follow up on related items as necessary
Manage internal and external communications, including reports, slide decks, speeches, and presentations on the CEO’s behalf
Support the CEO in maintaining strong relationships with key funders and stakeholders, including supplying background information on potential new partners or funders
Maintain lists of funders, stakeholders, and partners with whom the CEO prefers regular contact, and tee up communications or arrange meetings to support ongoing relationship building
Act as a key thought partner by brainstorming and identifying solutions to challenges
Manage a variety of long-term, cross-organizational projects
Provide internal and external communications support by drafting emails, reports, memos, presentations, etc.
Board of Directors Management
Oversee meeting preparation and planning for Board of Directors, ensuring materials are distributed in advance of Board meetings
Support the CEO in managing interactions with Board chair and Committee leaders
Onboard new Board members
Monitor term lengths of Board and Committee members
Support the CEO in researching and recruiting new Board members
Meeting and Event Preparation
Plan leadership team retreats, including developing objectives and agenda items, as well as coordinating with the Special Assistant on logistics
Coordinate agendas for the CEO’s approval before Senior Leadership Team, Committee, and Board meetings
Organize Staff and Board retreats and other special events
Project Management
Oversee large, often cross-functional, organization-wide projects or initiatives
Bring together important stakeholders and help drive decision making
Conduct research, perform benchmarking, analyze data, and make recommendations
Strategic Planning and Alignment
Lead the Foundation’s annual strategic planning process by acting as a project manager and ensuring alignment with the CEO and leadership team
Help determine key performance indicators and update as needed
Minimum Requirements
JD, advanced degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Eight years of work experience handling similar job duties within the nonprofit sector
Prior experience leading a team and supervising other staff
Excellent project management skills with the ability to coordinate activities of all resources throughout each phase of the project cycle
Highly driven, self-motivated, and results-oriented, with enthusiasm for change and the Foundation’s commitment to ongoing evolution and improvement
Strong written and verbal communication skills demonstrated through a factual, direct, and authoritative communication style
Solid analytical and technical abilities with high standards and the highest quality of work
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to create order out of chaos
Incredibly reliable, conscientious, and thorough with the ability to spot errors and correct for mishaps before they happen
Natural problem solver with sound professional judgment, demonstrated professional maturity, and the ability to meet adversity with tenacity
Proactive with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high pressure environment
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and diversity
Demonstrated commitment to creating and sustaining a positive workplace
Work Environment
This is a professional role based in Washington, DC, and will require work to be performed remotely and within the office space. The position involves frequent use of computers, phones, and virtual meeting platforms. The role may require periodic work outside of regular business hours, as well as occasional local travel.
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this job consistent with federal, state, and local standards, including meeting productivity standards. Persons with mental and physical disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.
EEO Statement
The DC Bar Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
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