Chief of Staff

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals whose expertise provides essential support for those with specialty nutrition needs and those seeking better health through nutrition. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the Academy is supported by a professional staff of 141 employees and an extensive network of volunteer leaders. Working in partnership with its Board of Directors, affiliate organizations, practice groups, committees, and councils, the organization operates within a highly collaborative governance structure that relies on strong executive leadership, strategic coordination, and execution to advance its mission and strategic priorities. POSITION OVERVIEW The Chief of Staff (CoS) to the CEO is a senior executive-level leader responsible for driving strategic alignment, governance and operational execution across the association. By strengthening governance, aligning leadership, and driving execution, this role enables the organization to deliver greater value to its members, expand its influence, and achieve long-term mission success. Serving as a trusted advisor and extension of the CEO, this role ensures the organization’s strategic priorities are effectively translated into actionable plans, delivered with discipline, and aligned with member value, mission impact, and financial sustainability. This position plays a critical role in board governance, executive office leadership, enterprise program management, and organizational transformation in a complex, member-driven environment. The Chief of Staff position is a Chicago based hybrid role that requires the Chief of Staff to be located in the Chicagoland area, and be available for in office presence as required. Some travel is required (up to 25%) to support major organizational meetings, and leadership activities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Executive Office Leadership & Enterprise Coordination Lead the CEO’s office, ensuring seamless coordination of CEO priorities, communications and leadership engagement Act as a trusted advisor, synthesizing complex internal and external issues into strategic insights and recommendations Align the executive leadership team (ELT) around priorities, execution milestones, and organizational messaging Facilitate leadership cadence (ELT meetings, retreats, strategic reviews, annual planning cycles) Represent the CEO in internal and external forums as appropriate, including member engagements and industry events In coordination with the Academy’s Human Resources leader support the CEO’s goals and performance development process Provide transparent reporting to the CEO, on initiatives progress, risks, and outcomes Board Governance & Executive Leadership Support Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to strengthen governance effectiveness for aligning Board processes, facilitating transparent communication, and ensuring Board activities advance the Academy’s strategic priorities. Provide executive oversight of Board and committee operations, ensuring effective governance processes, high quality Board materials, meeting effectiveness, and timely follow-through on Board actions. Lead the continuous improvement of governance practices, Board operations, and governance policies, to enhance Board effectiveness, and organizational performance. Promote sound governance by ensuring clarity of decision rights, governance structures, roles, and organizational accountability. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO on governance matters, Board dynamics, and executive communications. Oversee governance, enterprise risk, compliance, and policy implementation to ensure alignment with the Academy’s bylaws, regulatory requirements, and governance best practices Strategic Planning & Enterprise Performance Management Lead the development and execution of the association’s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with mission, member needs and industry trends Translate strategic priorities into enterprise initiatives with defined goals, KPIs, and accountability structures Establish and manage performance dashboards to track progress across programs, membership growth, advocacy impact, and operational goals Conduct environmental scanning, member insights analysis, and competitive benchmarking to inform strategy Drive cross-functional; strategic initiatives that improve member value proposition and organizational effectiveness Partner closely with Finance to align budgeting, forecasting and resource allocation with strategic priorities and program goals for the Executive Office Drive a culture of accountability, execution excellence and continuous improvement Ensure disciplined project planning, resource management, risk mitigation, and milestone tracking as it relates to strategic priorities Supervisory Responsibilities Provides leadership, coaching and mentoring for staff within the assigned functions Establishes clear expectations, accountability, measures and development strategies to drive performance Aligns team with strategic and operational needs Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement Promotes cross-functional alignment to support initiatives Organizational Change & Transformation Leadership Lead change management efforts tied to strategic transformation, including shifts in operating model, member engagement approach, and digital capabilities Partner with HR and leadership to evolve organizational structure, talent strategy, and culture to support future-state goals Develop stakeholder engagement and communication strategies to ensure successful adoption of change initiatives Identify organizational barriers and resistance, implementing strategies to foster alignment and engagement Champion a culture of innovation, agility and member-centricity QUALIFICATIONS/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field. MBA, MPA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred. CAE preferred Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience with a professional, healthcare or trade association, in a senior management, strategy, or operations position. Knowledge and understanding of professional membership associations is preferred Demonstrated experience working with executive leadership, Board of Directors, committees, members, partners and external stakeholders Strong background in governance, and strategic planning Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership, enterprise strategy execution, cross-functional coordination, governance processes and high-priority organizational initiatives High level of professionalism, collaboration, resourcefulness, and commitment to the organization’s mission Diplomatic, skilled at building alignment. Demonstrated financial acumen and budget oversight Ability to operate effectively within governance structures while ensuring alignment with organizational mission, values and strategic priorities. Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Excellent judgement, discretion, political savvy, and ability to handle confidential information Ability to identify dependencies, surface risks, clarify ownership and support accountability Strong communication skills with the ability to influence decision-making and represent the organization effectively. Strong project management, facilitation – project/program management certification Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Teams, SharePoint, and other collaboration or productivity platforms Demonstrated ability to lead innovation strategies, develop new solutions, and translate emerging opportunities into measurable organizational value. Skilled in managing multiple priorities and leading organizational change in a dynamic environment CORE COMPETENCIES Executive Influence & Presence : Trusted advisor with the ability to guide and challenge senior leaders and board members Governance Excellence : Deep understanding of board governance, bylaws and nonprofit accountability structures Strategic & Systems Thinking: Ability to connect mission, strategy, operations, and member value Leadership & Staff Development: Lead a high performing staff team. Set clear expectations, foster professional growth, and cultivate a collaborative, accountable work culture Consensus Building: Politically astute; skilled at building trust, fostering unity, and aligning stakeholders. Enterprise Leadership : Skilled at aligning diverse stakeholders across a matrixed organization Change Leadership : Proven success leading transformation in complex, mission-driven environments Communication & Diplomacy : Exceptional ability to engage members, volunteers, board leaders and executives Success Metrics Effectiveness and efficiency of board governance and decision making Successful delivery of strategic plan milestones and enterprise initiatives Leadership alignment and organizational effectiveness Adoption and sustainability of transformation initiatives COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & LOCATION The expected salary range for this position is $220,000-$250,000 commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capabilities. The Academy offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, vacation, sick time, paid holidays, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, and well-being benefits. This position is a Chicago based hybrid role that requires the Chief of Staff to be located in the Chicagoland area. Some travel is required (up to 25%) to support organizational meetings, and leadership. SEARCH PROCESS The search for the Chief of Staff position is being conducted by Tuft & Associates. #J-18808-Ljbffr