Chief of Staff

As a critical member of the Management Team, the Chief of Staff (COS) provides strategic leadership and support to the CEO and senior management, ensuring effective organizational development, team management, staffing, work planning and cross-team collaboration and alignment.  This includes executing organizational planning processes, supporting senior managers in fostering effective teams, and strengthening cross-team cohesion.

Key Duties & Responsibilities include:

• Organizational Development:
  • In collaboration with the CEO, lead development and implementation of strategic planning
  • Oversee and collaborate with senior management on annual work planning and monitoring progress towards goals
  • Plan and execute staff retreats and organizational development activities
  • Evaluate and strengthen organization’s staffing model and structures
• Executive Support:
  • Advise CEO on organizational development and management needs
  • Collaborate with HR in executing senior leadership hiring and onboarding
  • Coordinate and facilitate key organizational meetings
• Team Management:
  • Supervise, support and evaluate senior managers in performing their team management duties and achieving team development goals
  • Collaborate with HR to provide PD to senior managers, implement succession planning and support conflict resolution
• Cross-Team Collaboration & Alignment:
  • Lead initiatives to strengthen internal communication and alignment around PA’s community partnership model, organizational values, cross-team collaboration and collective achievement of internal organizational goals

Required Skills/Abilities/Competencies:

• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong leadership and people skills, with the ability to motivate and support teams and stakeholders
• High level of emotional intelligence, and proven interpersonal, conflict-resolution and relationship-building skills
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills
• Exceptional communication (verbal and written)
• Deep commitment to the mission and values of Public Advocates, including diversity, equity and inclusion

Supervisory Responsibilities and/or Key Relationships:

• Responsible for partially supervising and supporting the success of senior managers in effectively managing and developing their teams.
  • Chief Operating Officer (1.0 FTE)
  • Managing Attorneys (3.0 FTE)
  • Director of Communications (1.0 FTE)
  • Director of Philanthropic Engagement (1.0 FTE)
• Provide leadership, vision and guidance to staff in organizational development, team building and planning activities

Education and Experience:

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree (graduate degree a plus)
  • Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in nonprofit leadership, management or equivalent related experience, with proven track record of success in organizational strategy, planning and implementing staff development and building effective and cohesive teams
  • Experience working with diverse communities, including communities of color and low-income populations
• Desired:
  • Experience working with diverse communities, including communities of color and low-income populations
  • Experience working for nonprofits in the legal, policy or social justice fields

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Work Hours, Travel Requirements and Additional Benefits:

• For staff in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, we are 2 days/week in-office hybrid, w/Thursdays required and the second day chosen between Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Staff are expected to be available for meetings between 9:00 am and 5.30 pm.
• Occasional travel between San Francisco, Sacramento and the greater Los Angeles area may be required.
• We provide a $75 monthly stipend to defray each staff member’s home office internet and cell phone expense.

Compensation:

A starting salary within the range of $166,600-$196,000 will be provided to the successful candidate having met the minimum requirements for the position consistent with Public Advocates’ compensation philosophy.  The candidate’s exact placement will be determined based on relevant experience/knowledge/skills, education and scope of organizational responsibility and impact consistent with Public Advocates’ compensation framework.  Public Advocates offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 100% of premiums paid for the employee, spouse/registered domestic partner and qualifying dependents on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans
• An employer-funded Health Savings Account
• Employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan as approved by the Board of Governors
• Annual professional development budget of $750
• Generous paid time off including vacation and sick leave, 13 organizational holidays, 2 floating holidays, and additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• 12-week sabbatical after 7 years of employment (Public Advocates pays for 6 weeks and all insurance)

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following 2 items combined into one document: 1) cover letter responding to the question prompts below and 2) resume.  We invite you to utilize your cover letter as an opportunity to discuss the following:

• Tell a story that illuminates your interest in PA’s mission and theory of change; and
• Share how your background and experience aligns to the key responsibilities of this position.

Please email your application materials to COS@publicadvocates.org by the Application Priority Deadline of Friday, August 29, 2025.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:

Public Advocates believes that to best serve our team and clients, our people need to be reflective of the diverse communities in which we operate.  We value and celebrate the unique differences of our employees because we understand this to be what drives critical thinking, innovation and organizational success.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, ability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.  Please email spaik@publicadvocates.org for assistance.