Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff The Chief of Staff will serve as a senior advisor and trusted partner to the Executive Director, playing a key role on AERA’s Leadership Team. The position focuses on strengthening organizational effectiveness, advancing strategic priorities, improving workflows, and ensuring alignment across the Association. Executive Leadership and Strategic Support Partner with the Executive Director to identify, manage, and advance key strategic priorities. Align the Executive Director’s time and engagement with the Association’s most important goals. Act as a trusted thought partner in identifying opportunities, anticipating challenges, and developing solutions. Support the Executive Director’s engagement with the President, Executive Board, Council, and other leaders. Exercise sound judgment and discretion, representing the Executive Director’s priorities when appropriate. Draft correspondence, briefing materials, reports, presentations, letters, emails, and other communications on behalf of the Executive Director. Strategy, Planning, and Project Management Support the management and execution of AERA’s mission-driven goals, including the strategic planning process. Coordinate cross-organizational priorities, workflows, and systems to strengthen integration across Central Office teams. Lead annual office-wide planning processes in partnership with the Executive Director and Leadership Team. Help identify key performance indicators, track progress, and support accountability for major initiatives. Manage complex, cross-functional projects and initiatives such as major convenings, signature events, and organization-wide projects. Bring together internal and external stakeholders to inform planning, decision-making, and implementation. Conduct research, benchmarking, and data analysis to support recommendations and decision-making. Proactively identify potential issues, barriers, or opportunities related to projects, communications, and organizational priorities. Recommend and implement new systems, tools, and processes to improve efficiency, coordination, and organizational effectiveness. Administration, Meetings, and Communications Prioritize, schedule, and manage key internal and external meetings and agendas. Support the workflows and coordination of the Leadership Team. Coordinate leadership team meetings, all-staff meetings, retreats, and other gatherings in collaboration with the Executive Administrator. Support preparation and planning for Executive Board and Council meetings in collaboration with the Director of Governance. Coordinate agendas and materials for Executive Director review and approval. Represent the Association at meetings and events when appropriate, ensuring key takeaways and follow-up actions are captured and communicated. Provide communications support in collaboration with the Director of Communications, including drafting reports, memos, presentations, and internal/external messages. Provide additional capacity to the Executive Director and Leadership Team for special projects, events, and time-sensitive priorities. Hiring and Management Manage hiring processes for leadership roles reporting to the Executive Director in partnership with the Associate Executive Director and HR. Supervise the Executive Administrative Assistant, HR Manager, and special project partners as assigned. Support effective onboarding, coordination, and workflow management for roles connected to the Executive Director’s Office. Position Details Reports to: Executive Director Supervises: Executive Administrative Assistant, HR Manager, and other assigned staff or project partners Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with three designated days per week in AERA’s Washington, DC office and additional days remote Travel: Occasional overnight travel required Salary Range: $165,000–$180,000, commensurate with experience Compensation and Benefits Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance Generous paid time off Federal holidays Annual office-wide winter closure during Season Days between December 24 and New Year’s Retirement savings plan with a competitive employer match Tax-free savings options to assist with dependent care expenses Ideal Candidate Profile Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred At least five years of progressive experience building, improving, and managing organizational processes, systems, and structures Strong project management expertise, including experience managing complex projects involving multiple teams or stakeholders Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, schedules, deadlines, and project timelines Superb written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, polished, and persuasive materials for varied audiences Strong relationship‑building skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, staff, volunteers, members, and external partners Demonstrated discretion, trustworthiness, and dependability, including experience handling confidential information A deep personal commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive environment and fostering a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture A team-oriented approach and comfort working in a fast-paced, mission‑driven organization where priorities sometimes require an “all hands on deck” mindset Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and follow-through Strong technology skills and comfort using digital platforms and data systems Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Creative Suite and data management systems preferred Experience working in a nonprofit membership association or similar mission-driven organization preferred AERA encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We strive to maintain an inclusive employment environment and to build inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and equity into all aspects of our work. The American Educational Research Association is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr