Chief of Staff

OVERVIEW

Would you have been excited to help support an organization like Amazon or Netflix in the early days, when their growth was starting to skyrocket and their work was akin to building a plane while flying it? That’s the opportunity presented here, but instead of growing profits and a breakneck pace, you’ll be building better lives for those who need us most. Better Together is one of the fastest growing nonprofits in America and will quickly be in the top 5% in impact.

Just like it was at Amazon and Netflix, that kind of growth is exciting, challenging, messy, and incredibly rewarding. But it’s not for everyone. This is a unique opportunity for someone who will thrive in a highly entrepreneurial environment where each day is different—flexibility is as necessary as oxygen—but the details have to be right.

The Chief of Staff will work primarily with the CEO to provide strategic and administrative support to help ensure that the organization is running effectively and efficiently.

CULTURE AND FIT

The people who consistently succeed at Better Together are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five core values. If you adhere to these values and answer “yes” to each of these questions, you may be a fit.

1. Owner’s Mindset: You are invested in the outcomes of our mission.
   • Are you a self-starter who takes initiative to complete a task?
   • Do you often seek opportunities for professional growth?
2. Choosing Gratitude: There are many things in life that can make us upset. Every day we have a choice to either be negative or give thanks.
   • Do you often go out of your way to help others?
   • Have you written a thank-you card in the last 30 days?
   • Are you a positive person who is more focused on opportunities instead of obstacles?
3. Love Others: We aim to love others like Christ loves us. Our hope is that our lives would be filled and overflowing with love, so that we can make a difference in this world.
   • Do people often say you are a good listener?
   • Do you make decisions based on what’s best for others over yourself?
   • Do you often find yourself looking for ways to make others feel empowered, important and appreciated?
4. Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.
   • Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a work plan from a broad goal?
   • Do you tend to be the one who initiates conversations with colleagues, rather than waiting for them to come to you?
5. The Sky is the Limit: We have a big vision at Better Together. No one on our team is counting hours or widgets. We are here to get results, and sometimes that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn’t technically ours.
   • Do you often set yourself audacious goals?
   • Do you wholeheartedly agree with our principles, which include that people’s lives are made better through work and that we can and will end the foster care crisis?

The vast majority of those who don’t get hired (or don’t last) at Better Together lack a fit with these values. Be prepared to have very candid conversations about them in our interview process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief of Staff will have four primary roles, broken down into key responsibilities:

Role 1: Executive Support

• Complete a broad variety of administrative tasks for the CEO, including managing an extremely active calendar of appointments; completing expense reports; composing and preparing correspondence that is sometimes confidential; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; and compiling documents for travel-related meetings
• Plan, coordinate, and ensure the CEO’s schedule is followed and respected.
• Work closely and effectively with the CEO to keep her well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
• Successfully complete critical aspects of deliverables with a hands-on approach, including drafting acknowledgement letters, personal correspondence, and other tasks that facilitate the CEO’s ability to effectively lead the company.
• Conduct research on new markets and key relationships
• Travel as needed with CEO to assist with meetings and presentations

Role 2 Project Management

• Work with CEO and Better Together lobbyists to schedule meetings with legislators and complete all follow-up deliverables as needed
• Prepare board packet, schedule meetings, record minutes and prepare all other board-related materials as directed by the CEO
• Adhere to compliance with applicable rules and regulations set in bylaws regarding board and board committee matters, including advance distribution of materials before meetings in electronic/paper format.
• Possess a strong sense of anticipation and proactively identify and address issues before they arise
• Connect tasks and projects to overarching goals and best practices, and effectively communicate this connection to team members
• Possess a high level of attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

Role 3: Strategic Planning

• Work with the CEO and leadership team to help develop and execute the organization’s strategic plan
• Schedule and organize annual All Staff meetings and leadership retreats
• Manage special projects and initiatives on behalf of the CEO, often coordinating with other departments and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes
• Advise the CEO on key decisions, by offering insights and recommendations based on data analysis, market research, team insight, and other factors

Role 4: Relationship Management

• Represent the CEO at meetings or events as needed, providing updates and communicating key messages on behalf of the CEO
• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders inside and outside of the organization, including investors, clients, and partners
• Handle donor follow-up items expeditiously and proactively; follow through to successful completion

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in a senior management role, preferably in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proven track record of success in project and performance management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to think strategically and anticipate future trends and opportunities.
• Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment.

TIMING, LOCATION AND COMPENSATION

Better Together seeks to fill this position as soon as possible. The organization’s headquarters are in Naples, Florida, but nearly all the Better Together staff work remotely. The Chief of Staff must live in Southwest Florida. They must be willing to travel 2-3 times a month as needed. Better Together has built a highly successful remote work culture over the past decade with systems and structures designed for clarity, flexibility, and great communication. Key elements of the environment include:

• Weekly team meetings with clear accountability and the opportunity to solve issues as a team.
• Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with the Better Together vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities
• An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the Better Together team, our policies, and how we operate
• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running

Better Together offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a health benefit and generous paid leave plan. Please email a cover letter and resume to hiring@bettertogetherus.org.