Chief of Staff to the CEO (Interim)

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Oncourse Home Solutions, also operated as American Water Resources, is a trusted home protection provider helping homeowners across the country protect what matters most. We are a $500 million organization backed by private equity firm Apax Partners, serving 2 million customers across 43 states. We partner with 25+ utilities and municipalities (and growing!) to provide customized solutions tailored to any community - delivering real value where people live. We help homeowners protect the essential systems that keep their homes running - from HVAC, appliances, and electrical to water, sewer, gas lines, and more - so they can avoid the stress and financial impact of unexpected repairs. Our work helps homeowners stay safe, comfortable, and confident in their homes every day.

At Oncourse, our people are what makes that possible. We call ourselves SUPERs - Successful, United, Progressive, Empathetic, and Reliable - because that’s how we show up for our customers and for each other. We invest in our employees through competitive benefits, an inclusive culture, and employee-led resource groups that strengthen connection, community, and belonging across the company.

As an equal opportunity employer, our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, parental status, mental or physical disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Oncourse Home Solutions is committed to recruiting and retaining talented applicants and to providing all employees with a workplace free from discrimination and/or harassment. 

Position Summary:

The Chief of Staff (CoS) is a critical strategic partner to the CEO. This is an interim assignment, expected to span approximately 10 months, and will work alongside the CEO to establish operating cadences, drive the 2027 Annual Operating Plan, manage Board meetings, lead year-end and forward-looking goal-setting, and execute high-priority strategic projects. The ideal candidate brings PE-backed company experience, a high degree of discretion, and the ability to operate with urgency across sensitive and complex organizational dynamics. This role demands exceptional judgment, financial acumen, and the ability to act as a trusted thought partner to the CEO.

Our offices serve as a central hub for culture, collaboration, and leadership visibility. Given the nature of this role, the incumbent is expected to maintain an in-office schedule that closely aligns with the CEO's presence across our Naperville and Ravenswood Chicago locations throughout the workweek.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the 2027 Annual Operating Plan (Oct to Jan): Work closely with the CEO, CFO, Finance team, and the Board to develop the 2027 AOP, including growth areas, investment priorities, and cost and margin focuses. Partner with functional leaders to build the operational plan that achieves targets set by the CEO and Board.
• Own Board meeting execution (Nov to Feb): Set the Board agenda in collaboration with the CEO and Chairman, drive content creation and reviews, manage the timeline and all follow-ups and sign-offs, distribute materials, and facilitate logistics during meetings including screen sharing, note-taking, and action tracking.
• Own the operating relationship with the company's private equity owners: Serve as a key point of contact and partner across both the investment and operating partner teams. Foster strong relationships, facilitate communication and alignment, support strategic and operational initiatives, and ensure timely coordination on matters involving the Board, CEO, and Executive Management Committee.
• CEO and executive goal-setting (Nov to Feb): Partner with the CEO to evaluate 2026 EMC performance and establish 2027 goals aligned with annual plan priorities. Handle all aspects of this process with appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Execute strategic projects (Jan): Lead or support high-priority strategic projects aligned to 2027 growth priorities.
• Serve as a trusted proxy and thought partner to the CEO: Bring proactive, strategic recommendations across business priorities, anticipate issues after they arise, and handle sensitive situations with tact and discretion.
• Take on additional responsibilities and projects as assigned by the CEO.

We are Excited if this is You

Experience and Qualifications of the Role:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including 3 in a business leadership, management consulting, or executive advisory role.
• At least 3 years of direct people management or cross-functional team leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Boards and senior leadership on sensitive, high-stakes matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Direct experience working in or with private equity-backed organizations is strongly preferred; familiarity with PE operating cadences (BPRs, Board meetings, AOP processes) is highly desirable.
• Understands the operating cadence between a PE firm and a portfolio company; comfortable working with Boards and preparing board-level content; brings structure, process, and professionalism to high-visibility engagements.
• Strong financial acumen with an understanding of P&L drivers, growth levers, and how to translate strategy into operational plans.
• Proven experience setting and managing executive-level goal-setting processes.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams under tight timelines.
• Highly versatile, self-directed, and comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting Board-level materials.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required. An MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft O365
• Strong Excel skills
• Strong PowerPoint and presentation skills
• AI proficient

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

N/A

We offer a compelling total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits to support your total wellbeing.  The base pay range for this position is $190,000 - $325,000 USD Annual. The specific pay offered will depend on qualifications, experience, education and skill set. The compensation offered may also include an annual performance-based bonus, sales incentive plan or commission target.

Our benefits include but are not limited to: healthcare, life insurance, paid time off, retirement, commuter benefits, and education reimbursement. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Join our SUPER Team and Enjoy Amazing Benefits!

• Competitive Compensation: We value your hard work and are proud of our competitive pay for performance philosophy.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage : Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, plus paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) Plan with 4% Company Match: Secure your future with our robust retirement plan.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take the time you need to recharge and relax.
• Education Assistance Program: Invest in your growth and development with our support.
• FSA/HSA Options: Flexible spending and health savings accounts to manage your transportation and dependent care expenses.
• Employee Wellness: Access to EAP, health, legal, and financial resources to support your overall well-being.
• Vibrant Company Culture: Monthly Townhalls, employee recognition programs, and Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) to keep you engaged and connected.

Competencies :

• Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard; is action-oriented and full of energy for challenges; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others.
• Business Acumen: Knows how businesses work; knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, and information affecting the business; understands how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
• Drive for Results: Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is consistently one of the top performers; pushes self and others for results.
• Integrity and Trust: Is widely trusted; seen as direct and truthful; keeps confidences; handles sensitive information with appropriate discretion; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent for personal gain.
• Leading with Influence: Effective at managing direct and indirect relationships through influence rather than authority; able to align cross-functional leaders around shared goals.
• Managing and Measuring Work: Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress, and results; designs feedback loops into work.
• Strategic Thinking: Analyzes problems from end to end; synthesizes data and qualitative inputs into clear, actionable recommendations; comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.