Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt, On Site

Location: Oakland, California

About BGCO

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is committed to enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Through safe spaces, supportive relationships, and enriching programs, BGCO helps young people build the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.

About the Role

The Chief of Staff (COS) is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO. The COS serves as a strategic partner, trusted advisor, and skilled implementer who helps translate BGCO’s priorities into coordinated action across the organization.

The COS will support executive leadership, strengthen cross-functional alignment, manage high-priority initiatives, and help ensure that organizational systems, communications, and operations support BGCO’s mission. This role requires a thoughtful, discreet, and solutions-oriented leader who can operate effectively at both the strategic and tactical levels.

The COS will work closely with the CEO, executive team, Board leadership, Club leadership, and external partners. The position is ideal for a high-capacity leader who can build trust, foster collaboration, manage complexity, and drive accountability while maintaining a strong commitment to BGCO’s youth-centered mission.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team and a trusted advisor to the CEO.
• Partner with the CEO to advance strategic priorities, manage major initiatives, and ensure timely follow-through.
• Prepare agendas, materials, and follow-up actions for executive, leadership, and Board-related meetings.
• Support alignment between the CEO, executive team, department leaders, and Club leadership.
• Serve as a representative or proxy for the CEO in selected meetings, communications, and organizational initiatives.
• Lead or coordinate special projects, ensuring clear goals, timelines, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
• Identify emerging challenges, provide practical recommendations, and support timely decision-making.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Organizational Operations

• Support coordination across departments and Clubhouses to promote efficient, consistent operations.
• Help ensure that organizational priorities, policies, and initiatives are communicated clearly and implemented effectively.
• Support the CEO and department leaders in monitoring organizational performance, key metrics, and progress against strategic priorities.
• Assist with annual planning, including organizational priorities, budget development, and resource allocation.
• Support department leaders with budget monitoring, forecasting, and financial accountability as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, systems, workflows, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Support implementation of operational improvements and organizational change initiatives.

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support clear, timely, and consistent internal communications across BGCO.
• Help ensure that leadership decisions, organizational priorities, and important updates are communicated appropriately to staff.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with Board members, funders, community partners, government representatives, and other external stakeholders.
• Represent BGCO professionally in meetings, community settings, and partner engagements.
• Support preparation for Board meetings, committee meetings, donor engagements, and other high-level organizational activities.

People and Culture

• Support a positive, respectful, and accountable organizational culture aligned with BGCO’s mission and values.
• Promote collaboration, trust, staff engagement, and professional growth across the organization.
• Provide leadership and support to designated administrative or project staff.
• Support performance management, goal setting, professional development, and accountability systems for assigned staff.
• Help reinforce clear expectations, consistent communication, and constructive problem-solving throughout the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, education, or a related field preferred.
• 8–12 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in nonprofit, education, youth development, multi-site operations, or a similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated success managing people, projects, budgets, and competing priorities.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with staff, executives, Board members, funders, and community partners.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, build consensus, and manage sensitive matters with discretion.
• Experience supporting executive leadership, Board governance, strategic planning, and cross-functional initiatives preferred.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage confidential information appropriately.
• Strong commitment to youth development, equity, community impact, and BGCO’s mission.
• Proficiency with project-management tools, productivity software, and data-informed decision-making.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to pass background and reference checks.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.