Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Strategy Officer

The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is a senior leader and the CEO's primary partner in designing and executing strategy across ACCS, LEAD, and the organization's future C4 arm, Empower CT. This role is built for a high-capacity operator and strategist who can translate vision into clear priorities, align departments around measurable outcomes, and build systems that scale.

The CSO will lead cross-functional execution, drive organizational performance management, strengthen internal operating rhythms, and ensure that ACCS's advocacy, communications, organizing, school support, and fundraising functions move as one integrated strategy. The CSO will also help manage high-stakes relationships with funders, partners, and other key stakeholders, and will serve as a representative of ACCS when needed.

Based in Connecticut, this hybrid role includes weekly in-person team time in Danbury, with flexibility to work from ACCS sites in other parts of the state. The position requires regular in-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel and reports to the CEO.

How You'll Help

The Chief Strategy Officer will drive impact across five core areas:

• Enterprise Strategy, Planning, and Performance
• Executive Team Alignment and Organizational Execution
• Internal Operations, Systems, and Organizational Capacity
• External Strategy, Partnerships, and Stakeholder Management
• Policy, Advocacy, and C4 Integration

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 - 15+ years of experience in strategy, operations, government affairs, education advocacy, or similarly complex, multi-team environments, with a demonstrated track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering results under deadline
• Experience supporting senior executives, boards, or funders in high-stakes decision-making, and building or scaling organizations, systems, or new initiatives across multiple workstreams
• Experience in education policy, the charter sector, or public-sector/nonprofit systems strongly preferred
• Exceptional strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into execution, supported by strong project and program management across multiple concurrent priorities
• Strong relationship management and communication with key stakeholders and cross-sector partners
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate calmly in high-pressure environments, with attention to detail while maintaining a big-picture perspective
• Commitment to high-quality public education and strong student outcomes, with a builder mentality and comfort creating structure in ambiguous or fast-changing environments
• Solutions-first leadership with a strong inclination toward action and follow-through, alongside a collaborative style that builds trust across diverse stakeholders
• Personal accountability and high standards for excellence
• Bachelor's Degree Required; Master's Degree In Public Policy, Education, Business, Law, Or Related Field Preferred

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $160,000–$190,000 annually. ACCS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, a 401(k) with employer matching, and generous paid time off.