Chief of Staff & General Counsel

• Significant experience working in complex administrative roles (chief of staff or similar role) working directly for a CEO or other C-Suite leader

Foundational Competencies

• Mission-Focused - Embodies Feeding America’s mission to end hunger and brings the mission to life through words and actions. Sets organizational vision and strategy keeping people facing hunger at the center. Makes organizational and strategic decisions focused broadly on what is best for our shared mission.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Demonstrates a commitment to an organization that values different backgrounds and life experiences through word and action. Builds culture and process to ensure that everyone can bring their authentic self to work and feels welcome and valued. Builds equity into vision, strategy and operating goals focused on our employees and the communities we serve.  Builds equity into structure, systems and processes for our employees and the communities we serve.  Committed to continuous personal EDI development and shares personal journey openly with others to support organization and individual growth.

Required Leadership Competencies

• Manages for Results –Establishes performance management processes and cultural norms that focus the organization on measurable results and promote accountability at the team and individual level for delivering against agreed upon goals. Holds self and others to high standards.  Pushes decision making authority to the lowest possible level by establishing clear goals, proving supportive coaching and direct feedback.
• Translates Strategy to Operational Goals – Establishes clear and transparent processes to translate strategy into SMART goals down to the team and individual level and allocate resources against those goals. Defines decision making authority to empower the organization and create positive accountability. Create systems to monitor strategic progress and provide transparent feedback to all levels of the organization. Leverages Functional Expertise – Demonstrated ability to leverage business, organizational, governance and legal skills to orchestrate teamwork and build process effectiveness at the most senior levels of large, complex, organizations.
• Operates With Integrity – Listens deeply to understand stakeholder needs and views effectively resolving issues and solving problems in a manner that builds trust and keeps the focus on client needs and shared mission. Elevates conversation and constructively reframes dialogue to focus on the people we serve verses individual or functional agendas. Anchors actions and decisions in our mission and values.  Presents uncomfortable facts and insights in a frank and respectful manner.
• Collaborates Internally & Externally - Builds organization process and structure to facilitate collaboration. Identifies key stakeholders and ensures collaboration occurs between departments, across the Network and with external partners through words and actions and by removing barriers when necessary. Collaborates and models positive engagement resolving issues and elevating conversations to focus on mission and what’s best for the people we serve.
• Communicates Effectively - Frames communication strategically for a broad range of audiences including staff, network food bank members, donors and other key audiences. Adjusts message and content based on insights gained through deep individual listening and perceptive observation of group dynamics.  Communicates clearly and effectively through verbal and written communication across individual, small group and large audience settings.

Required Technical Competencies and Experience

• Demonstrated success working in large organizations in a role requiring a service orientation, diplomacy and responsiveness to a large group of internal and external stakeholders. Experience in a network/membership/franchise organization is ideal.
• Demonstrated success working with non-profit boards of directors and in administration management working at the C-suite level. Deep knowledge of legal responsibilities of non-profit boards and ability to apply legal principles to inform board discussion and decisions.
• Experience directing, or working in, a legal function dealing with legal and governance issues including contract and trademark law.
• Strong organization and project management skills.
• Experience engaging in, and facilitating, strategic and operational planning.
• This role will travel periodically with the CEO (up to 25%), including between the Chicago and Washington D.C. offices, and to attend special events, which may occasionally take place on evenings or weekends.