Chief of Staff at The Hunt Institute – Cary, North Carolina

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.

Position:

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief of Staff (CoS) will bring executive leadership experience and will be offered wide latitude to work across the organization to develop and execute organizational strategies that extend the organization’s reach and influence nation-wide. The Chief of Staff will be part advisor, part gatekeeper, part problem solver, and part all-round strategic partner to develop strategy to meet organization goals and advance our mission.

The Chief of Staff will have both internal- and external-facing responsibilities, ranging from day-to-day management and professional growth (including fundraising, administrative work, and external events). The position will be based out of The Hunt Institute’s Cary, North Carolina office.

Responsibilities

• Work with the policy and program directors and teams, and takes steps to ensure maximum efficiency, harmony and good workflow. Inform the President on progress and issues found.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication with the Chief Operations Office and Managing Director(s) and keeping the President & CEO informed of all critical issues.
• Disseminate information and communicate ideas on behalf of the President. Facilitate communication across teams.
• Leading a cross-functional process to develop and align work plans within the organization to operationalize strategic planning goals.
• Coordinate activities, set agendas, and summarize deliverables for Senior Team, Leadership Team, and other staff meetings.
• Monitor and advise on staff expansion, contraction, or reassignment of responsibilities for maximum organizational benefit.
• Provide ad-hoc analysis and decision support.
• Working closely with the President, COO, Managing Director(s) and The Hunt Institute Board members, the COS will engage and build relationships with peer organizations and relevant stakeholders to advance the goals of the organization.
• Support the President management of the leadership team and supervision of those team members.
• Work with the leadership team to measure progress against the strategic plan.
• Represent the President as requested with funders, board members, public officials and other partners in person and in writing.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the mission and vision of The Hunt Institute, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity towards the bettering of public education for all children;
• Leadership experience- At least ten (10) years of leadership and management experience within the non-profit education sector and/or at a national political or policy organization working directly with elected officials ; record of achieving ambitious results in these roles;
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines;
• Flexible - We are an organization in a growth and strategic planning phase. As such, clear ability to be nimble, gap fill and evolve with organizational needs and priorities is paramount.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience with using quantitative and qualitative data to support policy development;
• Knowledge of financial management and strategic planning;
• Knowledge of human resource policies;
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• Commitment to equity;
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor;
• Bachelor’s degree in required; Master’s degree preferred; and
• Ability to travel (25 % anticipated).

Benefits and Compensation

The Hunt Institute offers competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package, including employer paid

medical, dental and vision insurance and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution policy.

We feel passionately about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one

vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is: $150,000 - $180,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At The Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation.