Chief of Staff

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is seeking a Chief of Staff within the Executive office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. NAEYC is deeply focused on vision, mission, values and beliefs. The organization's programs serve a diverse set of customers including educators, program leaders, trainers, higher education faculty, and is metrics and results driven. NAEYC seeks to be a high performing, inclusive organization and to reflect the broad diversity of the early childhood field.

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief of Staff will serve as a critical advisor regarding strategy and growth opportunities. The successful candidate will assess the reach and impact of current products/programs and collaborate with teams to drive improvement and growth with a focus on balancing current capacity and capabilities.

This is a new and evolving role at NAEYC, structured as an individual contributor at the start. The vision is for growth in responsibilities to include assigned staff management and specific business lines, strategy, and department functions when the role is fully established and value added has been demonstrated and acknowledged across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as thought partner and trusted advisor to the CEO regarding organizational strategy, growth opportunities, and key initiatives; stand in on specific meetings, challenge ideas, offer different perspectives, and provide analysis and recommendations on high impact decisions.
• Lead and conduct analysis of the reach and impact of current products and programs, working closely with department leaders and executive team members to enhance the performance and positioning of the NAEYC brand across markets and external constituents.
• Partner with executive team members and managers to understand current capacity and capabilities while assessing hire/build/buy options that support organizational goals.
• Serve as a strategic partner to COO/CFO to help align effective resource management, to support revenue generation, integrated operational efficiencies and strategic alignment across teams that ensure mission-focused, cost-effective daily operations.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Managing Director of Policy and Professional Advancement to help align NAEYC practices across policy, professional recognition, and higher education.
• Serve as a strategic partner across the organization to build bridges and collaborations.
• Serve as a leader of and partner for ensuring NAEYC's culture and values are relentlessly advanced, focusing on shared leadership, innovation, accountability, inclusion, belonging, and data-informed decision-making.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree required, preferably in business administration, non-profit management or educational leadership, or extensive and strongly related experience.
• 10 years of experience with direct responsibilities in business analysis and planning, strategy, project management, human resources, or business-related role.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, creating strategic partnerships and maintaining collaborative and effective working relationships
• Experience as management consultant or equivalent (i.e., business analytics; financial and data modeling; performance improvement; research; dashboard and report creation; presentations; senior client exposure).
• Prior related experience in educational environments and complex organizations; experience in early childhood education welcomed but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong influencing and diplomacy skills with ability to apply innovative thinking to positively and productively impact both strategic and program initiatives.
• Deep commitment to contributing to a culture of transparency and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
• A collaborative and proactive team leader with demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with NAEYC's Executive team, National Governing Board, internal and external stakeholders, and to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Evidenced business acumen and financial savvy, including excellent judgment and creative problem- solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional communication skills: written, oral, listening, plus proven interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Evidence of strong project management skills that include a focus on long-term planning to guide the growth of the organization.

Physical Demands

There are specific physical demands that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. For example, walking and moving throughout a building, handling materials and objects, and communicating freely - writing, speaking, listening. Further discussion and reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Designation(s): Business Continuity and Required Travel: the role is critical to business operations and may be called upon to be present in the event of an emergency or crisis. This role is eligible for telework. Telework and remote work eligibility is subject to NAEYC's Telework and Remote Work Policy.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - NAEYC is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, genetic information, disability, or protected veterans status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable.