Chief of Staff

The Inclusive Economy Lab (IEL) seeks to address pressing economic challenges through strategic, inclusive, and equity-centered leadership. As part of a dynamic, growing team, the IEL focuses on advancing DEIA and racial equity through collaborative partnerships and innovative strategies. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a staff engagement strategy that fosters a culture of rigor, excellence, celebration, and belonging.
• Ensure staff members are proud, connected, and aligned with the Lab's goals and strategy.
• Develop initiatives that promote DEIA and racial equity within the organization.

Strategic Planning and Leadership Support

• Oversee and implement multi-year strategic and annual planning processes to identify and execute organizational goals.
• Support the Executive Director (ED) and Leadership Team with high-priority initiatives and projects.
• Ensure effective and inclusive decision-making processes across the organization.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Build and manage relationships with University stakeholders to enhance the visibility and impact of IEL’s work.
• Supervise the Operations Team, supporting projects related to communications, data security, finance, and employee relations.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships across teams and stakeholders.

Operational Excellence and Change Management

• Implement organizational practices for inclusive decision-making and change management.
• Support the roll-out of new tools for budgeting, time-tracking, and project management.
• Review organizational policies to assess alignment with IEL's goals and mission.

Adaptability and Leadership Development

• Lead unexpected or emerging projects that require immediate leadership attention.
• Refine and uphold organizational values, norms, and decision-making frameworks as the team grows.
• Manage the organizational operating model to support team and project execution.

Qualifications

Education

• A college or university degree in a related field is required.

Experience

• Minimum of 7+ years of leadership experience in a for-profit, nonprofit, government, or consulting environment.
• Proven success in developing and executing strategic plans, supporting large-scale change efforts, and leading organizational development.
• Experience in human-centered design and creative problem-solving is a plus.

Skills

• Strong collaboration, influence, and project management skills.
• Ability to navigate complex relationships and build consensus across diverse teams.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to create structure in dynamic environments.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and racial equity, with a track record of implementing related programming.
• Experience in evaluating and managing organizational strategies, with a focus on results and accountability.

Preferred Competencies

• Research, evaluation, and results-focused approach.
• Strong adaptability and innovation.
• Trauma-informed and equity-centered perspective.