Chief of Staff

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent executive branch agency with oversight and ombudsperson responsibilities, established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2008. The OCA's mission is to ensure that children receive appropriate, timely, and quality state services, with a particular focus on ensuring that the Commonwealth's most vulnerable and at-risk children can thrive. Through collaboration with public and private stakeholders, the OCA identifies gaps in state services and recommends improvements in policy, practice, regulation and/or law. The OCA also serves as a resource for families who are receiving, or are eligible to receive, services from the Commonwealth. Office of the Child Advocate | Mass.gov


The Chief of Staff serves as an advisor and strategic partner to the Child Advocate, ensuring the effective execution of the Child Advocate's priorities and the efficient operation of the Office. Under the direction of the Child Advocate, the Chief of Staff manages the Child Advocate's schedule and executive review processes, coordinates across the senior leadership team, and enables the Child Advocate to focus on high-value leadership, policy, and external engagement. The Chief of Staff also leads key internal management functions, coordinates cross-functional initiatives, strengthens communication across the agency, and ensures strategic priorities are translated into actionable work.


The right candidate for this position has a track record of supporting executive leadership at a state or local government or non-profit agency. While you do not need to be a subject matter expert, familiarity with the Massachusetts child and family policy landscape is preferred. You operate independently at a high level and can triage and manage multiple time-sensitive priorities at once, exercising sound judgement and discretion regarding highly sensitive, confidential, and politically complex matters. You can anticipate the needs of an executive, and support development and improvement of operational and decision-making processes. You think strategically and anticipate how change management will impact agency operations. You are detail-oriented and work collaboratively on projects with peers, managers, and OCA leadership to advance projects. Most of all, you have a passion for improving the lives of the children and youth of the Commonwealth and want to be part of an innovative, growing team of public servants who share that passion.


Application Instructions

Applications are to be submitted on the Mass Careers website: MassCareers Create a Profile guide | Mass.gov . A cover letter and resume are required parts of the application. Please do not contact the OCA via phone to inquire about the status of your application. If you need any support with submitting your application, please refer to MassCareers Resources | Mass.gov . Review of applicants will start immediately and continue while the position is posted, with first consideration given to those received on or before September 8th, 2026.

The OCA is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive work community that is free of all forms of discrimination. The OCA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis under Massachusetts law.

The OCA encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions, including candidates who have personal and/or professional history with the child protective and/or juvenile justice systems.


Duties & Responsibilities
Executive Leadership Support

• Supports the Child Advocate in managing priorities, commitments, and organizational objectives.
• Manages the Child Advocate's calendar to align meetings, events, and engagements with agency priorities and long-term objectives.
• In partnership with agency subject matter experts and project leads, develops comprehensive briefing materials for meetings, public events, and other engagements, ensuring the Child Advocate is fully prepared with relevant information, key messages, and decision points.
• Attends meetings and events as assigned, either with the Child Advocate or as a designee, ensuring relevant information and key decisions are communicated effectively throughout the organization and following up on action items as needed.
• Anticipates issues requiring the Child Advocate's attention and proactively identifies opportunities to improve decision-making, coordination, and operational effectiveness.
• Manages the Child Advocate's executive review and decision-making process by tracking materials requiring review or approval, establishing priorities based on organizational needs and deadlines, and coordinating with senior staff to ensure timely submission of materials. Facilitates an efficient flow of information that supports informed decision-making while maintaining open access and collaborative relationships across the leadership team.

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management

• Supports agency-wide strategic planning processes, working with the senior leadership team to translate organizational goals into actionable initiatives and implementation plans.
• Manages internal cross-functional agency initiatives as assigned, monitoring progress, identifying barriers, and working with the rest of the senior leadership team to ensure successful execution.
• Facilitates senior leadership meetings by developing agendas, coordinating materials, guiding discussion, documenting decisions, and tracking implementation of follow-up actions.
• Identifies opportunities to improve internal processes, communication, and organizational effectiveness.
• Supports effective internal communication, including planning and coordinating all-staff meetings and managing the development of the agency's monthly internal staff newsletter.
• May supervise administrative staff as needed.

External Communication and Coordination

• Manages OCA-State Agency Quarterly Meeting process in partnership with the senior leadership team, including scheduling, agenda management, notetaking coordination, identifying key decisions and coordinating follow-up on action items as needed.
• Coordinates executive-level responses to emerging issues as assigned, ensuring timely communication and cross-divisional collaboration. Drafts Child Advocate correspondence as needed.
• Exercises sound judgment and discretion in managing highly sensitive, confidential, and politically complex matters.

This position requires occasional travel across Massachusetts and an ability to work flexible hours Monday - Friday, including evenings from time to time when required to respond to urgent organizational concerns. Please note that this job also requires an individual to work in-person at the OCA's Boston office 1-2 days per week, and occasionally more often for in-person meetings (e.g. legislative hearings).

Qualifications:
Required:

• Demonstrated experience in executive leadership, organizational management, public administration, policy, or a closely related field.
• Significant experience supporting senior executives in complex governmental, nonprofit, or similar mission-driven organizations.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and organizational planning skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to coordinate competing interests and work under time constraints.
• Strong project management experience, including leading cross-functional teams and implementing organization-wide initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information for executive decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries and influence without direct authority.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive organizational and political environments.
• Strong facilitation, meeting management, and organizational development skills.
• Commitment to public service, organizational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and deal effectively and tactfully with others.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other commonly used computer software applications.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, education, public health, or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience with increasing responsibility in high-level executive support, government or nonprofit leadership, communications, public policy, or related fields.

Preferred Entrance Requirements:

• Master's degree in public policy, public administration, education, public health, or a related field.
• Subject matter expertise related to children's policy and services.
• Experience working with or within Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies.