Chief of Staff

Position Summary The Chief of Staff serves as the Executive Director's primary strategic and operational partner, helping translate the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)'s mission, strategic plan, and board direction into clear priorities, decisions, and execution across the organization. This role leads cross‑functional planning and project management, strengthens accountability and communication, and provides strategic financial oversight to ensure the organization's resources are deployed effectively and transparently. The Chief of Staff also provides light HR oversight to ensure people systems support culture, performance, and growth, and acts as an integrator and problem‑solver, coordinating the work of directors and serving as second‑in‑command for day‑to‑day operations in the Executive Director's absence. The Chief of Staff is a proven and seasoned leader, comfortable moving between big‑picture strategy and hands‑on implementation, including working side‑by‑side with staff on the ground in Kansas City. Core Responsibilities Strategic planning and execution across departments Organization‑wide project management and accountability Leadership support, staff management, and org‑wide communication flow Strategic financial oversight, reporting, and business intelligence partnership Partnership with external or fractional HR and finance resources Executive support and board preparation Coordination of cross‑functional priorities and operational follow‑through Success in this role looks like The Executive Director has greater headspace for strategy and external relationships; directors feel supported and accountable; and cross‑functional work moves forward reliably without constant escalation. Our Culture At FSMTB, we foster a culture of caring built on these principles: Assume positive intent in all interactions Embrace an environment of trust and collaboration Consider team results as impressive as personal success Proactively practice open‑mindedness Help others understand their value Our values, Transparency, Accountability, Integrity, and People, guide everything we do. Your Leadership Profile High EQ, low ego: you listen well, build trust quickly, and center the mission over credit. Intrinsically motivated: you do not wait for a to‑do list; you see what needs to happen and move it forward. A systems thinker: you fix problems and also strengthen the process so they do not repeat. Calm under pressure: you bring structure and steadiness when things are complex or moving quickly. Deeply collaborative: you build alignment across teams, value diverse perspectives, and create space for others to contribute meaningfully. You are a seasoned nonprofit or association leader who thrives on being a force multiplier, moving comfortably between strategy and hands‑on execution. You partner with the Executive Director to turn strategic priorities and board direction into clear annual and quarterly goals, ownership, and follow‑through. You help directors align their work to enterprise priorities and keep major initiatives moving across teams. You identify risks, bottlenecks, or gaps early and recommend practical course corrections before they become larger issues. You step in as a steady second‑in‑command when the Executive Director is traveling or focused externally. You are an operational integrator who brings order, clarity, and accountability to complex work. You build and maintain accessible tools and processes that clarify priorities, timelines, decision rights, and accountability. You facilitate leadership meetings that focus on decisions, progress, and next steps rather than status updates alone. You help resolve cross‑functional friction, improve handoffs, and make sure projects continue to move. You support the development and use of meaningful performance indicators across programs, operations, technology, and finance. You are financially savvy and know how to connect strategy to sound resource decisions. You work closely with the Executive Director and finance partners to align budgets and spending with FSMTB’s strategic priorities. You provide a stronger layer of financial oversight and adherence to financial processes and policies. You help leadership interpret financial information, weigh trade‑offs, and make informed decisions about staffing, investments, and new initiatives. You partner on business intelligence needs, helping connect financial and operational data into useful dashboards and reporting. You are a trusted culture leader who can support staff while also holding people accountable. You are a trusted culture leader who balances kindness with accountability, taking an empathetic approach while holding people to high standards and finding system solutions that help everyone thrive. You support directors in managing staff, giving feedback, and addressing performance or team issues appropriately. You help ensure staff accountability by reinforcing expectations, follow‑through, and ownership across the organization. You strengthen communication between the Executive Director, staff, and Board through timely updates and clear messaging. You are comfortable partnering with outside experts and building the right support structure around the organization. You work with external or fractional HR partners on recruiting, onboarding, performance management, policies, and employee needs. You continue to cultivate a supportive and positive work environment. You help shape searches for key roles and may assist with screening candidates and guiding hiring processes. You are highly relational and lead best through direct, in‑person partnership. You are present in the Kansas City office and use face‑to‑face interaction to build trust, coach staff, and keep work moving. You are comfortable having candid conversations, navigating sensitive issues, and helping leaders and staff work through ambiguity in real time. You represent FSMTB with professionalism, warmth, and sound judgment with staff, members, and external partners. You are a strong thought‑partner to the Executive Director. You serve as a candid advisor on sensitive, high‑stakes, or cross‑functional issues. You help prepare for Board and committee meetings by ensuring materials are timely, clear, and aligned with strategic priorities. You bring calm, structured thinking to decisions so the Executive Director can stay focused on the highest‑value work. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, public administration, human resources, finance, or a related field required. 7+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in association, nonprofit, consulting, or comparable organizational leadership settings. Experience working closely with executive leadership and supporting cross‑functional teams or directors required. Experience with financial oversight, budgeting, and resource planning required. Experience supporting boards, committees, or governance processes preferred. CAE, SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, or other relevant advanced credential preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong strategic thinking paired with practical execution skills. Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional initiatives and improving organizational effectiveness. Strong project management and prioritization skills. Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills. Ability to build trust while holding others accountable. Strong financial acumen, including comfort with budgets, financial reporting, and business metrics. Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information. Ability to work effectively in a lean environment with changing priorities and evolving structure. FSMTB is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tennessee Society of Association Executives