Chief of Staff

TITLE: Chief of Staff

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

DIRECT REPORTS: Deputy Director, Board Support and Deputy Director, Government and Community Relations

LOCATION: Essex Crossing Community Center, Grand Street Settlement Executive Office, 175 Delancey Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10002 (Lower East Side Headquarters)

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $150,000 - $200,000 annually, commensurate with experience

BENEFITS: Grand Street Settlement offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and employee wellness programs.

About Grand Street Settlement: Founded in 1916, Grand Street Settlement is one of New York City's leading settlement houses, serving more than 18,000 children, youth, older adults, and families annually across the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. With an operating budget exceeding $67 million, more than 600 employees, and services delivered across more than 45 locations, Grand Street advances educational success, family well-being, economic mobility, and community strength through a comprehensive network of programs and services. Rooted in the settlement house tradition, Grand Street advances opportunity, belonging, and advocacy so that every individual has the support and resources needed to thrive. Grand Street Settlement is recognized as one of New York City's leading community-based organizations for excellence, transparency, innovation, and community impact. The Settlement holds Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency, is accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and has been named by City & State as one of New York's Best Places to Work. Recent growth has included significant expansion of early childhood education, youth development, STEM learning, and community services citywide, reflecting the Settlement's commitment to meeting emerging needs while investing in the infrastructure and leadership required to sustain that impact. As the Settlement continues to grow and evolve, Grand Street is strengthening its capacity, governance, culture, and leadership to support operational excellence for generations to come.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Executive Team, responsible for driving implementation of the Settlement's strategic plan, supporting Board governance and committee effectiveness, and ensuring alignment and accountability across executive priorities. Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, Executive Team, and senior leaders, the Chief of Staff ensures strategic decisions are translated into measurable outcomes and executed effectively across the organization. Grounded in the principles of servant leadership, the Chief of Staff strengthens the Settlement's culture, reinforces shared values, and fosters collaboration across departments, while helping leaders reach their full potential. This position plays a central role in building the infrastructure, systems, and governance structures necessary to sustain Grand Street's mission and support future growth, innovation, and advocacy.

Executive Team

The Chief of Staff serves as a member of the Executive Team and partners closely with:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Program Officer, Youth and Community Development
• Chief Development and Communications Officer
• Chief Talent Officer
• Chief Financial Officer (External Strategic Partner)

Governance and Board Relations

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and Board Committees.
• Oversee all Board and committee operations through supervision of the Deputy Director, Board Support and Strategy.
• Ensure timely preparation of agendas, materials, minutes, dashboards, resolutions, and governance documentation.
• Support Board leadership and committee chairs in advancing committee work plans and priorities.
• Coordinate Board recruitment, onboarding, orientation, education, and annual assessments.
• Ensure governance practices align with nonprofit best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement in Board effectiveness, engagement, stewardship, and accountability.

Government and Community Relations

The Chief of Staff oversees the Settlement's government and community relations function through supervision of the Deputy Director, Government and Community Relations, ensuring Grand Street maintains strong public partnerships and a visible, trusted presence in the communities it serves.

• Guide the Settlement's relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and public funders at the city, state, and federal levels.
• Oversee preparation for legislative visits, budget hearings, site tours, and other public-facing engagements involving the CEO and Executive Team.
• Support monitoring of legislative and regulatory developments that may affect funding, programs, or operations.
• Strengthen partnerships with community boards, coalitions, and neighborhood stakeholders across the Settlement's service areas.
• Coordinate the Settlement's participation in public forums, advocacy campaigns, and community events that advance its mission and visibility.
• Partner with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to align government and community relations activity with fundraising and public messaging.
• Track and report on government and community relations outcomes, including funding opportunities, public recognition, and stakeholder engagement.

Executive Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and coordinate Executive Team priorities.
• Facilitate Executive Team meetings, retreats, and strategic planning sessions.
• Monitor progress on executive decisions, strategic priorities, and organizational commitments.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives requiring collaboration across departments and divisions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen systems, processes, and communication across the organization.
• Support development of enterprise-wide policies, management systems, and operational improvements.
• Conduct research, analysis, and special projects on behalf of the CEO.
• Advance a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Culture, Values, and Leadership Development

• Promote a culture grounded in the Settlement's mission, values, and commitment to community.
• Support leadership development and collaboration across departments, sites, and program areas.
• Reinforce practices that foster trust, inclusion, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Partner with Executive Team members to strengthen employee engagement and organizational culture.
• Champion the settlement house tradition of community engagement, advocacy, and social justice.
• Support efforts to strengthen belonging and connection among staff, participants, Board members, and community stakeholders.

Reports To

• Chief Executive Officer

Directly Supervises

• Deputy Director, Board Support and Strategy
• Deputy Director, Government and Community Relations

Key Relationships

• Board of Directors and Board Committees
• Executive Team
• Senior Directors and Department Leaders
• Chief Financial Officer (External Strategic Partner)
• Chief Information Officer (External Strategic Partner)
• Program, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Development, and Administrative Teams

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and significant relevant professional experience.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, government, education, healthcare, consulting, or a related field. Candidates with substantial relevant leadership experience are encouraged to apply regardless of educational pathway.
• Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership, governing boards, or large-scale organizational initiatives.
• Experience leading strategic planning, organizational change, project management, or performance improvement efforts.
• Exceptional written, verbal, analytical, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance and Board operations.
• Demonstrated commitment to mission-driven leadership and community impact.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across teams and drive results in complex environments.

Preferred

• Experience in a complex, multi-site nonprofit organization.
• Experience supporting organizations with budgets exceeding $50 million.
• Familiarity with public funding systems, government contracts, and nonprofit regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting organizational growth, mergers, affiliations, or large-scale change efforts.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Servant Leadership
• Systems Thinking
• Organizational Agility
• Project and Change Management
• Governance and Stewardship
• Relationship Building
• Executive Communication
• Data-Informed Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement
• Cultural Competence and Inclusion

Success Profile

The successful candidate will help Grand Street Settlement:

• Execute its strategic plan with discipline, accountability, and measurable results.
• Strengthen Board governance, committee effectiveness, and stewardship.
• Deepen public partnerships and community trust through effective government and community relations.
• Build the systems, infrastructure, and leadership capacity needed to support a growing $67 million-plus organization.
• Strengthen culture, employee engagement, and leadership development.
• Improve cross-functional coordination and institutional effectiveness.
• Advance digital transformation and AI readiness.
• Position the Settlement for long-term sustainability and continued impact across New York City's communities.

Why Join Grand Street Settlement

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of New York City's most respected settlement houses. Working closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Team, the Chief of Staff will strengthen organizational capacity, execute strategic priorities, and build the infrastructure needed to support Grand Street's next chapter of growth. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, trusted advisor, relationship builder, and disciplined executor who is inspired by Grand Street's mission and motivated by the opportunity to strengthen communities and improve the lives of New Yorkers across generations.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER