Job Description

Chief Of Staff To The CEO

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief of Staff to the CEO is a critical member of the district leadership team, speaking for the CEO when they are not present, prioritizing and facilitating the resolution of critical issues on behalf of the CEO, and ensuring that the CEO is informed and engaged appropriately in key organizational decisions. This role supports the overall management of the executive leadership team, serving as a liaison and trusted advisor to the Board of Education, city leaders, and external agencies and partners to drive the implementation of CPS' multi-year vision.

The Chief of Staff to the CEO will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide Executive Office leadership, supporting the CEO in the management of the Executive Leadership team and Office operations and standing in for CEO in internal meetings, serving as a key liaison between internal teams and the CEO
• Support the CEO in the overall management of the cabinet, managing the flow of information from the Executive Office to leaders, fostering collaboration and harmony
• Supervise and manage the performance and effectiveness of the Executive Office team and provide dotted line leadership to Intergovernmental Affairs and other units as assigned by the CEO, providing ongoing coaching and development
• Advise the Executive Leadership team on the execution of district initiatives and priorities via the continuous improvement process and ensure that the Executive Leadership team follows through on key decisions in accordance with team agreement and the CEO's direction.
• Support the CEO and senior executives navigate through uncertainty and risk and facilitates and provides leadership through crisis management

Provide strategic project management oversight for priority short and long-term district programs and initiatives from strategy formulation and development through execution.

• Develop and maintain tools to track the district's progress toward academic, financial, and operational goals, including dashboards to monitor key performance indicators; Proactively address off-track programs, teams, and metrics to achieve the objectives outlined
• Identify and lead the implementation of data-driven, evidence-based practices districtwide that maximize outcomes and provide equitable opportunities for all CPS students

Conduct research and synthesize information on complex topics resulting in clear and concise recommendations to the CEO, the Board Office, and senior leaders.

• Ensure cross-functional collaboration and align teams to realize efficiencies
• Represent CPS before external partners such as government councils &commissions, business community & civic groups, legislators, etc. regarding district programs, initiatives, and policies
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve and streamline processes and policies

Other duties and workstreams as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief of Staff to the CEO must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university required
• Valid license from the Illinois State Board of Education with an administrative endorsement required

Experience Required:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in education including the following is required:
• Minimum of ten (10) years of strategic senior leadership and/or school leadership experience in a school district or public institution
• Minimum of seven (7) years of effective team management experience
• Minimum of seven (5) years of experience successfully leading and managing complex cross-functional initiatives
• Experience in a large, fast-paced urban school district or public institution preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to identify the key roles needed to anticipate, troubleshoot and solve critical issues.
• Ability to keep composure when conversations are challenging and decisions are unpopular
• Fearless in the face of conflict; Maintains a keen awareness of the interests and motivations of others, and acts with integrity in a politically-charged environment
• Comfortable naming issues and addressing them openly as they occur. Not afraid to share difficult news
• Ability to lead complex and difficult tasks transparently and effectively
• Appropriately judges the right timing to engage executive leadership around key issues
• Reflective and self-aware; accepts responsibility for decisions, mistakes and lessons learned
• Ability to prepare the CEO and other leaders for effective decision-making conversations, anticipating and organizing key questions and data that support productive discussions to direct key priorities
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders to lead and drive change, including influencing and motivating others toward a common goal
• Ability to navigate political structures, relationships, and dynamics to improve results and amplify access for all students
• Ability to initiate, build, and manage coalitions and cohesive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and community partners
• Ability to lead creative, innovative, and high-functioning teams, and delegate and leverage teams effectively to drive for impactful results and achieve ambitious goals
• Ability to support the professional development of team members, and maximize opportunities for every team member to take thoughtful risks and find innovative solutions in the service of CPS students and families
• Demonstrate excellent execution and leadership skills, Ability to successfully lead team members in balancing multiple high-priority, high-profile projects
• Ability to model integrity through actions and communications; Uphold principles and values despite risks
• Exhibit exceptional critical-thinking skills in leading data-driven practices at a systems level; Ability to analyze data, identify trends, pinpoint problems and root causes, ask probing questions, set goals, track resources, and develop innovative solutions
• Possess a deep understanding of systems-level operations, management, and organizational design to deliver desired districtwide outcomes
• Pursue and implement innovative ideas and methods; Commitment to seek out and share current research and evidence-based best practices

Conditions of Employment:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

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