Chief of Staff

START DATE:

Summer 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

The priority deadline for applications is May 17th. Anything received after that date will be kept on file and considered if the position is not filled.

REPORTS TO:

Chief Executive Officer

LOCATION:

The Partnership team works in a hybrid capacity. This position will be based in Los Angeles and a combination of working remotely, in our Downtown LA office, and at Partnership schools.

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS

Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools’ mission is to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high-quality education. The Partnership is a non-profit, in-district partner to LA Unified, not a charter network. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Partnership serves 13,550 students across 20 LA Unified schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. The Partnership works within the LA Unified School District context, which includes honoring all collective bargaining agreements for its teachers and school staff. To learn more about the Partnership, our mission, and how we approach our goals, please visit our website.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is seeking a highly motivated and strategic Chief of Staff to join our innovative team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief of Staff will play a crucial role in supporting the CEO's vision and priorities, driving strategic initiatives, supporting internal and external stakeholder communication and engagement, and ensuring strategic alignment across the organization and its many teams. The Chief of Staff will provide direct support and leverage for the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team (E-team) members. The Chief of Staff will focus on strengthening internal and external relationships with key stakeholders, including school district leaders at LA Unified. The Chief of Staff will also build alignment within and across E-team, enabling leaders to create strategic and prioritized action with their teams and collectively monitor organizational progress. The Chief of Staff will also cultivate and maintain positive working relationships and provide collegial support on our policy and advocacy, fund development, and communications strategies and activities. In addition, the Chief of Staff will work collaboratively with leaders across the organization to build culture, act on the organization’s values, and create sustainable change with our communities, mission, and staff at the center. This is a full-time, year-round position.

The Partnership is committed to continuously building an anti-racist culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in classrooms and our home office. The Chief of Staff will be someone who is committed to implementing these values in creative ways when executing day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Executive Strategy (33%):

• Provide strategic support to the CEO and the Executive Team, focusing organizational attention and resources on annual priorities, organizational culture, sustainability and growth, relationships with Los Angeles Unified, and policy and advocacy work
• In partnership with the CEO, support management of E-team and build alignment with leaders that results in strategic action
• Provide executive partnership to the CEO, including acting as an organizational ambassador, preparing presentations, and facilitating effective and intentional communication
• Monitor and analyze internal and external trends, data, and organizational progress to inform decision-making, strategy, and accountability toward stakeholders

Organizational Leadership & Partnership (33%): 

• In partnership with the CEO and Chief People & Operations Officer, oversee the implementation and progress monitoring of the Partnership’s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with and fulfillment of strategic objectives critical to our mission
• In partnership with other E-team members, intentionally cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture, embodying and promoting our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Actively manage relationships with the Partnership’s Board of Directors, both personally and organizationally, and lead coordination of regular Board and committee meetings
• Manage the Partnership Cabinet, a cross-functional and representative body of staff members designed to provide input and support the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Collaborate with leaders of functional teams to reach organizational goals and implement strategic action, including communications, talent, data and impact, and more
• Lead internal change management efforts in the organization aligned with strategic priorities and organizational need

External Relations (33%):

• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including LAUSD officials, Partnership board members, staff, partners, donors, and community members
• Support and amplify the work of the Policy & Advocacy Team to build influence within LA Unified and through local and state-wide policy and advocacy
• Support Development Team with fundraising, philanthropy, and cultivation with donors, funders, and partners
• Represent the CEO and the Partnership in meetings, events, and other interactions with stakeholders and community members

POSITION FIRST-YEAR PRIORITIES

A successful first year in this role will look like:

• Build effective and collaborative working relationships with staff members, in particular E-team and leaders of functional teams, while also building trust organizationally
• Support the CEO in mapping the current landscape and identify strategic opportunities for fund development, political advocacy, and partnerships in service to our mission
• Support the Chief External Officer and their team to build strong working relationships with LA Unified, Board Members, elected officials, and advocacy groups
• Develop positive working relationships with Board members and other key stakeholders, including partners, staff, District leaders, and community members
• Support the 5-year strategic planning process, and gain a proficient understanding of the Partnership’s strengths and growth opportunities in the process
• Through partnership with the CEO, implement methods to maximize leadership’s time and efforts toward organizational goals
• Identify indicators of success organizationally and Implement organizational progress monitoring

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of professional experience in one or more key areas including school or school system leadership and/or operations, policy, external relations, development, or communications, with at least 5 years of senior management experience in a high-performing organization
• Proven track record of success in strategic planning, project management of large-scale projects and initiatives, and operational management – all with an eye toward people, process, and product
• Track record of successfully meeting or exceeding organizational targets, achieving ambitious goals, and driving significant impact
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders including Partnership staff, senior District leaders, School Board members, elected officials, funders, and community leaders
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to think strategically and critically
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex ideas and information simply, succinctly, and strategically
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced and innovative environment
• Experience working in a larger educational school system and/or the LA region is a plus
• Ability to travel between school sites, locations in the broader community, and Partnership Home Office
• Spanish language fluency (spoken and written) is preferred
• Working understanding of K-12 public education sector, policy, and current landscape
• A deep belief in the power of our communities, the Partnership’s mission, approach, and core values
• A commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all team members
• A willingness to learn, grow, and model the Partnership competencies: Anti-racism, root cause analysis, long-term thinking, teaming and collaboration, psychological safety, and learning and growth

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary for this position is $201,250. The Partnership’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our compensation practices. Our goal is to ensure that salaries are fair for all staff members who hold many intersectional identities, and we set salaries based on a robust compensation model grounded in consistency and transparency. The exact salary for this position is dependent on the relevant skills and experiences that the candidate brings to the role.

The Partnership also offers a robust benefits package including employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents; a 403(b) retirement program with employee match and vesting; parental and sabbatical leaves; a professional development allowance; and generous paid time off. Details can be found here.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Please prepare your resume and a cover letter tailored to this position. You will submit your documents and application via this link.

Research shows that women and individuals from systemically marginalized communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications. While this job description outlines the major responsibilities and requirements to be successful in this role, the Partnership is committed to considering all applicants who are passionate about our mission and can see themselves excelling in this role – including those with diverse and non-traditional work experience.

For technical assistance or support for applying with a disability, please contact the Home Office Talent Team.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Partnership for LA Schools is a contractor with the Los Angeles Unified School District and has implemented a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. All new employees are required to be fully vaccinated a week before their start date unless they are approved for an accommodation due to a medical reason or because of a sincerely held religious belief.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to – and actively pursues – diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The Partnership prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race such as hairstyle), creed, color, religion, registered domestic partner status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, age, military and veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy or childbirth, physical disability or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. The Partnership also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer, wages, benefits, termination, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.