Chief of Staff

Job type: Full-time, hybrid (working from our DUMBO, Brooklyn office at least 3 days per week) Salary: $110,000 to $140,000 per year Reports to: Paul Williams, Executive Director Applications close: Nov 2, 2026 Summary Center for Public Enterprise (CPE) is seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as the Executive Director’s closest partner in leading the organization. CPE works with local, state, and federal agencies and policymakers on issues related to housing, energy, transportation and other infrastructure. That work brings us into governors’ offices, legislatures, and financing agencies, and its success depends on sound political judgment. The Chief of Staff will track every major CPE project and keep the Executive Director informed of where work has stalled and why, which conversations need to happen when, and what’s coming next. The role also includes keeping teams focused on CPE’s priorities, holding staff to their commitments, and advising the Executive Director on decisions involving officials, partners, and funders. The Chief of Staff is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring that CPE delivers on its commitments across all teams, working closely with our program directors for housing, energy and operations. Key responsibilities Organizational execution and accountability Track CPE’s top priorities, major publications, and client commitments, and maintain visibility into the status of each. Identify work at risk of delay and coordinate directly with the staff involved to get it back on schedule. Facilitate weekly leadership and all staff meetings, including agenda development, decision tracking, and follow-up through completion. Lead CPE’s annual and quarterly planning cycle, including goals for each team and regular progress check-ins with program directors. Raise concerns about off-track work directly with colleagues and involve the Executive Director only when necessary. Political strategy and advising Monitor federal, state, and local political developments that affect CPE’s work, including changes in leadership and priorities at the agencies, legislatures, and governors’ offices we work with, and assess their implications for our projects. Advise the Executive Director on engagement with elected officials, agency leaders, coalition partners, and funders, including in sensitive situations. Identify risks to CPE’s relationships and reputation early and recommend responses. Brief staff on the political context for their work so that teams stay aligned with one another and with our partners. Executive partnership and support Support the Executive Director’s priorities and calendar, determining which matters require direct attention, which can be handled by others, and which can wait. Prepare the Executive Director for key meetings with officials, funders, and partners, including short briefing memos. Draft memos, talking points, and correspondence on the Executive Director’s behalf, and represent the Executive Director in meetings as needed. Follow up on commitments made by the Executive Director. Report feedback from staff and partners to the Executive Director candidly, including difficult or unwelcome information. Operations and special projects Work alongside the Director of Operations to and align programs on budgets, hiring, and internal policies. Prepare materials for board meetings and track board follow-up items. Lead special projects for the Executive Director, such as new initiatives, hiring searches, and changes to organizational structure. What this role does not include Program substance: Program directors and staff own research, client work and project management for their teams. Finance and accounting: the Director of Operations covers bookkeeping, budgeting and financial compliance. Routine administration: the Operations Coordinator handles scheduling, logistics and onboarding. Required qualifications Five or more years of experience in politics, government, policy or campaigns, including direct work for a senior leader such as an elected official, agency head or Executive Director. Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Legislative Director or Senior Advisor experience is a strong fit. Strong political judgment. You understand how decisions get made in legislatures, agencies and governors’ offices, and you can read a room. A record of getting teams to deliver on deadlines, including colleagues outside one’s direct reports. Direct and tactful. You can tell a colleague, or your boss, something they don’t want to hear and keep the relationship intact. Excellent writing, especially short memos and talking points. Very well organized. You can track many projects at once without dropping them. Discretion with confidential information, including personnel, funder and political matters. Interest in CPE’s work on housing, energy and transportation. Expertise in these areas is helpful but not required. Authorized to work in the United States. Working relationships Reports to: Executive Director Works closely with: Chief Economist, program and operations directors External contacts: Public agency staff, political staff, partner organizations, funders, and board members Location: Full-time, hybrid, working from our Brooklyn office at least 3 days per week, with some travel. Salary and benefits Salary range: $110,000 to $140,000 per year, depending on experience. Unlimited paid time off. Health, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) with up to 6% organizational match. 12 weeks of paid family leave for new parents, plus 4 more weeks of part-time transition. About CPE Center for Public Enterprise is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on growing public sector capacity to deliver broad and inclusive economic development. CPE works with public agencies and similar organizations to develop, design, and implement programs, tools, and strategies for public investment and development, with a particular focus on the housing, energy, and transportation sectors. Center for Public Enterprise promotes equal opportunity in the recruitment, selection, training, compensation, promotion, and benefits of all employees, and strongly encourages applications from people of underrepresented racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, people of all gender identities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and members of other marginalized communities. #J-18808-Ljbffr