RFP: Fractional Chief of Staff

ABOUT GSA NETWORK

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network (GSA Network) is a national organization building trans, queer, and Two-Spirit+ youth power for racial, gender, and education justice. We train and support youth leaders, connect GSA clubs and queer youth groups across the U.S., and provide resources to create safe, liberatory spaces in schools and communities. Grounded in intersectionality, we work to dismantle systems of oppression and advance the rights, dignity, and self-determination of all TQ2S+ people. Learn more at

www.gsanetwork.org.

THE ROLE

GSA Network seeks a Fractional Chief of Staff who shares our commitment to liberatory logistics and principled leadership development. This role will provide high-level internal management support for our national programming and operations team, working within our values-driven organizational culture that centers shared leadership, intergenerational wisdom, and our collective devotion to liberation.

The Fractional Chief of Staff will provide direct management and leadership development for four key managers/directors:

• Executive Manager (Operations)
• National Association Manager (National Programs)
• Gender Justice Leadership Programs Manager (National Programs)
• Director of Organizational Effectiveness (Operations)

This role serves as a frontline management presence that allows our Co-Executive Directors to focus on high-level strategic priorities during this period of organizational expansion and deepening impact.

SCOPE OF WORK

Management & Supervision

• Provide direct supervision to up to four managers, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and timelines.
• Support managers in translating organizational strategy into actionable work plans.
• Monitor progress on key deliverables and address barriers to execution.

Manager Training & Capacity-Building

• Develop and implement a manager training and coaching program to improve supervisory skills, performance management, and accountability practices.
• Model best practices in supervision, communication, and team coordination.

Operational Alignment & Goal Continuity

• Ensure continuity of goals, processes, and workflows across programming and operations teams.
• Establish systems for cross-team collaboration and consistent communication.
• Serve as a liaison between managers, the Co-EDs, and the Director of Organizational Effectiveness & Development to maintain clarity and alignment.

Special Projects & Problem-Solving

• Lead short-term strategic or operational initiatives as delegated by Co-EDs.
• Address urgent issues and provide decision-making support when Co-EDs are unavailable.

OUR CULTURE

GSA Network operates through a framework of liberatory logistics: structuring our work processes and systems to actively advance liberation rather than replicate oppressive organizational patterns. We practice shared leadership that distributes power intentionally across our team, honoring the expertise and contributions of staff at all levels. Our work is deeply intergenerational, recognizing that young people and adults bring essential perspectives that strengthen our collective impact.

We embrace principled struggle as a core practice, engaging in honest, caring conflict that moves us toward greater alignment with our values. Accountability is central to how we operate, creating structures that support individual and collective growth while maintaining our commitments to the communities we serve. We are actively rethinking nonprofit industrial complex structures, questioning traditional hierarchies and operational models while ensuring we maintain clear expectations, measurable goals, and effective coordination of our work.

OUR STAFF

GSA Network's team reflects the communities we serve: primarily people of color, transgender, and queer individuals aged 24-44. Our diverse staff brings lived experience and cultural wisdom that strengthens our movement work.

Entering year two under our Co-Executive Directors, our staff need dedicated leadership development and management coaching. This critical moment requires strengthening internal capacity while preserving our values-driven culture. We're developing managers who can navigate principled struggle, delegate effectively, advance organizational goals while challenging oppressive systems, and foster intergenerational collaboration within our shared leadership framework.

Key Development Areas: Strategic project management, transformative conflict navigation, sustainable team building, justice-centered operations, values-based decision making, and growth-oriented feedback culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in senior operations, Chief of Staff, or organizational leadership roles within nonprofits, advocacy organizations, or mission-driven sectors.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple senior staff and functions.
• Deep experience in shared leadership models and other generous, equity-centered governance practices.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit operations, programming, and cross-functional coordination.
• Track record in building manager capacity and fostering leadership skills.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice, with experience in equity-driven leadership.

VALUES & CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience working with Trans, Queer, and Two-Spirit + youth as a peer or staff organizer
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual, gender, and generational backgrounds
• Think and act quickly and strategically
• Demonstrated ability and comfort in taking initiative and seeking guidance to follow through on projects and tasks.
• Flexibility to pivot for unanticipated needs, adapt to new situations and environments and remain calm and graceful under pressure
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, anti-oppression work, youth leadership and/or Trans, Queer, and Two-Spirit + rights

TIMELINE & BUDGET

• Contract Duration: 12 months (starting immediately)
• Estimated Time Commitment: 10-12 hrs a week
• Must be available for regular meetings with managers and leadership, and for urgent issues as they arise.
• Budget: Please submit a proposed rate (hourly, monthly retainer, or project-based) with your application.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates should submit:

1. A cover letter outlining relevant experience and approach to the scope of work.
2. A résumé or CV.
3. Two professional references.
4. Proposed fee structure and availability.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Demonstrated capacity to meet the scope of work.
• Relevant leadership, supervision, and operational experience.
• Experience with shared leadership and equity-centered governance.
• Alignment with GSA Network’s mission and values.
• Proposed cost and availability.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that communities most impacted by gender & racial oppression must be centered in the work we do. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from Black and Indigenous women of color, Trans and gender non-conforming people, LGB people, and Disabled people of color, working class people for all of our positions. Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at GSA Network where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.