CHIEF OF STAFF at Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation Inc – Boston, Massachusetts

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) is seeking a Chief of Staff who will operate as a trusted partner to the CEO, bringing structure to complexity, driving execution, and ensuring that priorities turn into results. This is not an administrative support role. It is a high-impact, strategic execution role designed to extend the CEO’s capacity, strengthen leadership alignment, and ensure that the organization operates with clarity, discipline, and follow-through at the highest levels.

As Chief of Staff, you will act as a force multiplier for the CEO, managing critical priorities, driving cross-functional initiatives, and ensuring the organization’s most important work moves forward effectively. You will sit at the center of strategy, operations, and leadership—bringing judgment, discretion, and strong execution to everything from Board engagement to organizational initiatives. Success in this role means the CEO is focused on the highest-value work, leadership is aligned, and key priorities move forward without friction.

What you can expect to do in the role:

Executive Enablement & Decision Support

• Serve as a strategic partner and thought partner to the CEO
• Anticipate needs, surface risks, and clarify decision points
• Triage and manage sensitive, high-stakes issues with discretion
• Act on behalf of the CEO to advance priorities and respond to stakeholders

Board & Governance Leadership

• Manage Board and Committee processes, including materials, meetings, and follow-up
• Ensure all Board communications are clear, accurate, and decision-ready
• Track and drive follow-through on Board actions across leadership

Strategic Projects & Initiative Management

• Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from concept through execution
• Identify risks, dependencies, and capacity challenges early
• Ensure progress stays on track and aligned with organizational goals

Executive Communications & Preparation

• Prepare briefings, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external audiences
• Ensure the CEO is consistently prepared for meetings, events, and engagements
• Reinforce clear and consistent messaging across the organization

Calendar, Workflow & Process Optimization

• Manage the CEO’s calendar with a strategic lens, prioritizing impact and focus
• Balance competing demands and resolve scheduling conflicts
• Improve systems and workflows to enhance executive effectiveness

Organizational Collaboration & Culture

• Build strong, trusted relationships across senior leadership, Board members, and partners
• Model professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence
• Provide backup support for administrative coordination as needed

Qualifications – What Success Requires

Mission & Values Alignment

• Commitment to DBEDC’s mission and racial equity in community development.
• Ownership mindset with focus on high-quality results and team impact.
• Willingness to learn, explore new approaches, and implement improvements.
• Comfort navigating change and proposing innovative solutions.

Technical Expertise

• 8+ years of experience supporting senior executives in fast-paced, complex environments
• Prior Chief of Staff or comparable CEO-level support experience strongly preferred
• Proven ability to manage complex workflows, competing priorities, and highly confidential information
• Strong technology proficiency, including document production, collaboration tools, and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred)
• Experience coordinating Board processes, governance materials, and executive-level deliverables

Communication & Collaboration

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely
• Ability to prepare high-quality briefs, presentations, and correspondence for diverse audiences
• Strong relationship builder who can work effectively across senior leadership, Board members, and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage up, across, and outward—ensuring alignment and clarity across the organization
• High level of responsiveness and follow-through in fast-moving environments

Leadership Approach

• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and sound judgment
• Ability to influence without formal authority and navigate organizational dynamics effectively
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, complexity, and shifting priorities
• Willingness to give and receive direct, constructive feedback while maintaining strong working relationships

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass a background check.
• Availability for occasional evenings and weekends.

You’ll stand out if you:

• Are bilingual in (Spanish, Cape Verdean Kriol, Haitian Kreyol).
• Have experience in community development, affordable housing, and/or economic development.
• Have lived experience in our community.

Other important details:

Why DBEDC?

At DBEDC, our culture is grounded in shared values:

DBEDC proudly offers a total compensation package that goes above and beyond, supporting your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Health and Wellness

Lifestyle and Perks

Time Off That Works for You

Future-Focused Benefits

Professional Development

At DBEDC, we’re not just offering benefits, we’re investing in you! Join us and experience a workplace that values your well-being and success while building a brighter future for Dorchester and beyond!

DBEDC is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Founded in 1979, we work to build a strong, thriving, and diverse community in Boston’s North Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. We develop and preserve, home ownership and rental housing across income levels. We create and sustain economic development opportunities for businesses and individuals. We build community through organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development.

We are one of Boston’s legacy agencies and most established community development organizations, with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million and a staff of 30.

At DBEDC, we welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences, including those from unconventional career paths and anyone who can bring fresh perspectives and lived experiences to our team. Together, we aim to build an organization that reflects and celebrates the vibrancy of the communities we serve.