Chief of Staff

About Public Advocates:

Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity and climate justice.

We spur change through collaboration with grassroots groups representing low-income communities, people of color and immigrants, combined with strategic policy reform, media advocacy and litigation, “making rights real” across California since 1971. Learn more about our work at: https://publicadvocates.org/

Position Summary:

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.