The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. The work of our Council teams connects with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022.

The Role

The Chief of Staff is an experienced, empathetic leader and creative strategist who will work closely with the President in implementing the strategic plans for the Council. They will be an integral member of the Senior Management team, supporting the President and the team as a project manager for key initiatives, meeting deadlines for strategic deliverables, and building effective communication plans for internal and external audiences. They will also work closely with the Chief of Staff to the CEO to ensure smooth planning and execution of key shared responsibilities, including fundraising and board management.

The role is a Chicago-based hybrid, with required in-person attendance 2-3 days per week for governance, committee or board meetings, and Council events or programs. The Chief of Staff may supervise interns or administrative staff in the President’s office.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage the functions of the President’s office and report to the President.
• Work with the President, CEO and Senior Management to plan, deliver, assess, and communicate progress across all aspects of strategic planning, projects or proposals.
• Conduct research, evaluate, and provide information and recommendations to the President on a range of strategic and operational matters from across the organization.
• Oversee board-related calendar and activities in partnership with the Vice President of Development, the CEO and the President, and in coordination with committee staff liaisons, including logistics, reporting and correspondence, orientation, meetings, and record management.
• Respond to inquiries and communicate on behalf of the President, including board-related correspondence, emulating the President’s voice for a large volume of communications, including meeting talking points and materials for various speaking engagements involving internal and external audiences.
• Review and provide input and advice on correspondence on behalf of the President.
• Act independently and makes judgment calls on behalf of the President as necessary.
• Participate collaboratively with the Council’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
• Work with the Chief of Staff to the CEO to coordinate fundraising and board activities; including scheduling and travel arrangements; ensuring deadlines are met, reviewing and editing documents and correspondence drafted by others for the President’s signature.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a business or executive management role
• Ability to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Impeccable communication skills in written and verbal forms
• Superior computer skills, including extensive knowledge of and experience using MS Office:  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Extremely versatile and dedicated to efficient productivity
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Interpersonal savvy and organizational agility; ability to influence up, down, and across
• Unquestionable ethics and integrity
• Ability to use discretion when dealing with sensitive, confidential materials
• Demonstrated interest and/or background in international affairs/public policy a plus Ability to travel as needed in support of the President’s meeting schedule and assigned activities
• Ability to work occasional early mornings or late evenings for events or governance meetings