Chief of Staff/Communications Director

Overview: The Chief of Staff/Communications Director (COS/CD) serves a unique blended role as part of the Executive Management Team and will report directly to the Executive Director. The COS/CD will increase collaboration and accountability with other staff, facilitate strategic thinking, and develop management systems and procedures. The COS/CD will serve as a confidante and advisor to the Executive Director as well as a collaborative and strategic thought partner. This individual will also oversee administration, operations, and infrastructure, and human resources functions as well as the organization’s external as well as internal communications.

The COS/CD will be a strong problem solver, diplomatic change agent, and an expert in understanding organizational dynamics while helping to create structures and processes that address challenges unique to a Charter Support Organization. The COS/CD plays a critical role in helping to ensure NCAPCS achieves its mission and embodies its values. The COS/CD provides support at every level, serves as a trusted advisor and resource, and fosters communication and knowledge sharing throughout the organization. 

The ideal candidate will handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands. They must also have the demonstrated ability to deal with confidential information and act as a liaison between the Executive Director and other constituencies, both internal and external. They must exhibit the skills to collaborate with and achieve actionable results through others, the ability to build strong and sustainable relationships and the capability to interact within all levels of the organization. 

The COS/CD must be a highly intelligent self-starter who demonstrates a commitment to the organization’s core mission. This individual must be able to understand, clearly articulate and operationalize the Executive Director’s ideas, thoughts, and perspectives as they relate to the organization’s internal purpose and objectives They should have proven ability to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion; manage growth; demonstrate significant accomplishments and past successes; be a strategic thinker and a hands-on planner and problem-solver; and be comfortable leading and sustaining change. 

Excellent communication and negotiation skills are critical. They must be able to work closely with the active and engaged Board as well as with an experienced and committed staff. The COS/CD must communicate in a transparent and honest fashion that promotes inclusiveness, cooperation, and teamwork. In addition, they will be fast learners, diplomatic analytical, of the highest integrity, knowledgeable about public charter schools, and possess sound judgment as well as a sense of humor.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all internal operational and administrative functions of the organization, freeing up the ED to focus on external matters and relationships.
• Provide a strong day-to-day leadership presence for all staff and create systems and effective processes to bridge regional operations and improve communication and coordination among the different programs.
• Maintain, develop, and/or update operating and administrative policies and procedure manuals and assure trainings across the organization.
• Manage and oversee all human resources matters, including developing and refining performance appraisal criteria and related hiring and retention processes with a focused eye on assuring that all staff are operating with the requisite urgency, efficiency, and accuracy in their respective areas and that each area is appropriately staffed.
• Develop and implement a Member Council with the purpose of advising the NCAPCS Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff on NCAPCS policy priorities and strategy that may impact charter schools throughout the state.
• Work closely with the bookkeeper to assure that the annual budgeting process is conducted in the most effective and efficient way and assuring that, at all times, the Executive Director has all the information needed relating to budgeting, program fund allocation, fundraising and resource allocation.
• Work to instill a human capital culture within NCAPCS by defining respective job functions, delineating job descriptions and reporting lines, clarifying the reporting and organizational chart, and establishing a more rigorous adherence to processes for intra-organization communication, recruiting, hiring and termination. 
• Work with Executive Director to analyze the current development, programs, financial and accounting, and technology infrastructure and recommend changes as determined to be necessary to support NCAPCS’s growth.
• Manage the cadence and preparation for board meetings, ensuring materials are sent in advance, time is well spent, and objectives are achieved.
• Serve in the role of external communications by building relationships with media and the charter school community, managing social media, writing reports, drafting press releases and, at the direction of the Executive Director, op-eds.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, government relations, education policy, or relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in government relations, policy analysis, advocacy, or a related field, preferably in the education or non-profit sector.
• Collaborative working style with demonstrated ability to work with colleagues to balance program and administrative concerns and perspectives in fashioning solutions. 
• Knowledge of social, political, and legal issues affecting the charter school community.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the ability to present NCAPCS in a compelling and effective manner.
• Commitment to communicating in an open, engaged, and responsive manner.
• A high degree of professionalism to interact effectively with the team, Board members, program staff, and external stakeholders including funders.
• Creativity and flexibility are musts.
• Computer proficiency.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, goals, and core values of NCAPCS and a demonstrated commitment to charter schools and public service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge, experience, and understanding of the public charter school landscape.
• Expertise in data analysis and the interpretation of educational performance metrics, with the ability to use data to inform policy recommendations and advocacy efforts.
• Proficiency in public speaking, media relations, and strategic communications.
• Bilingual abilities (e.g., English and Spanish) to support diverse stakeholder engagement.

Other information:

• The work is full-time remote with required travel periodically.
• The anticipated salary is $70,000.00 per year.

All positions at NCAPCS are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.