We are seeking a Strategic Advisor to National Community Alliances (NCA) and Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Public Partnerships to support the leadership of alliance owners, who are highly independent and visionary senior leaders and help define the long-term vision, strategy, operating plan, and culture of the Public Partnerships team broadly. The Chief of Staff will provide high-level, engaged strategic thought partnership and tactical support to all members of the National Community Alliances team. In this capacity, and in partnership with the National Community Alliances team, you will be responsible for determining overall, broad team strategy and revisiting the charge and priorities of the team given current capacity, differentiated organizational and initiative needs and priorities and our overall Public Partnerships team charge. You will provide critical strategic and operations support to ensure that the Office of the SVP, Public Partnerships meets its goals, which will ultimately increase the impact and contributions of Public Partnerships to TFA’s mission.
The Chief of Staff will report directly to the SVP, Public Partnerships and will engage across each unit of the team (National Community Alliances, Government Affairs, Public Funding, Public Policy, and State Funding). The Chief of Staff will become a trusted advisor to the SVP, her direct reports, the National Community Alliances Team, and other teams with whom Public Partnerships works in close partnership, in particular the Office of the CEO, marketing and communications, regional operations, the program continuum, and org-wide learning and strategy. You will be a member of the Public Partnerships Leadership Team and own the vision and operations for how this group works together to advance team goals, build strong culture, and learn and improve constantly.
The Senior Managing Director, Strategic Partner to National Community Alliances & Chief of Staff to the SVP, Public Partnerships will be responsible for:
National Community Alliances Team (60%)
Add significant strategic capacity to the National Community Alliances team
- Set vision and direction alongside the National Community Alliances team
- Work to ensure that the alliance owners are clearly aligned with this work and the priorities and that the team priorities as a whole reflect the targets/strategies/best bets for action
- Support in internal strategy and advocacy to ensure strong team-wide results
Serve as an advisor, coach and thought partner to each alliance owner and their constituency
- Set expectations for, motivate, and develop a team of five high-performing individuals
- Work side by side with our alliance and initiative owners so that they are ready to take on the next level of leadership in their careers
- Support the professional development and teamwide learning of NCA team members by acting as coach and thought partner, alongside the SVP, Public Partnerships
- Advise on strategies to progress NCA workstreams
Collaborate with the National Community Alliances team to determine broad strategy and team priorities
- Support teamwide structures for intersectional collaboration and strategy across team and organization
- Serve as the National Community Alliances representative on the Public Partnerships leadership team
- Manage one of the team associates, who provides operational support to the broader team’s objectives
Public Partnerships Team (40%)
Add strategic capacity to the SVP of the Public Partnerships team by providing critical planning, operations and communications support to drive progress to goals
- Manage the planning, communications, and operations of the Office of SVP
- Create the operating rhythm, systems and protocols for the management and support of the SVP’s direct reports
- Draft internal and external communications on behalf of the SVP (e.g., emails, memos, PowerPoint)
- Act as a trusted advisor to the SVP and feel fully accountable for the SVP achieving her vision
- Manage the Associate of Public Partnerships to set the strategic direction of the SVP’s calendar to align with priorities
Plan and execute special projects and cross-cutting initiatives/partnerships critical to realizing the Public Partnerships team charge
- Provide strategic vision-setting and project management for both team-led projects and national initiatives
- Drive a unified, team-wide annual strategic planning process
- Be able to jump in and quickly take on work when urgent needs arise, as well as plan and execute special projects as needed
Create and foster strong internal communications that build team culture and create joy and excellence in the work
- Create and share resources to support excellence and joy in the work; facilitate the collaboration, information-sharing, and celebration between and among team members
- Be a culture leader who models our core values and operates with flexibility and an entrepreneurial spirit
- Minimum 6-8 years professional experience
- Previous management experience strongly preferred
- Previous experience with leading and/or contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion work
- Previous experience with policy, government affairs, AmeriCorps, community partnerships/alliances a plus
- Previous strategy/management consulting experience a plus
- Previous experience working within Teach For America is strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to lead across multiple lines of difference with intersectional strategy
- Poise, confidence, and maturity interacting with key stakeholders, with the ability to build strong relationships and work with people at all levels, internally and externally
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities and to consistently meet ambitious deadlines and goals
- Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills
- Exceptional and demonstrated commitment to and understanding of issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusiveness
- Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Superb planning and project management skills
- Operates with a high level of personal responsibility, and can lead through ambiguity and complexity
- Good judgment, strong initiative, and a quick learner
- Ability to thrive in a goal-oriented, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment, including the ability to be flexible in project execution
- Deep commitment to TFA’s mission, core values, and our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Work Demands
- Ability to travel regularly
By joining staff, you join a network of individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students and developing themselves as professionals in the process. We as an organization value the longevity of our employees and offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. The salary for this position is also competitive and depends on your prior work experience. Please be advised, you will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.