Chief of Staff

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is the Midwest's premier global affairs think tank and a leading independent, nonpartisan forum for debate on the forces shaping our world. Based in Chicago, the Council convenes policymakers, business and civic leaders, scholars, and the public for high-level public programs, policy dialogues, and expert roundtables. Its research, analysis, and convenings address the defining issues of our time, from geopolitics and the global economy to technological change, global food security, and immigration, bringing the world's leading voices to Chicago and a vital Midwestern perspective to national and international debates.

Please note: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until it is filled.
This position requires frequent early morning, evening, and weekend work.

The Role
The Council is seeking a Chief of Staff who is a high-level strategic advisor and operational partner to support the President & CEO. This position manages workflow, driving key projects, and aligning departments. The Chief of Staff serves as a point of contact for staff, partner organizations, and high-profile constituents, manages the President's schedule, prepares her meeting and travel logistics, and assists with accounting and office support activities.

The Chief of Staff is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and serves as a representative to the organization for external partners including building management and vendors.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as an integral member of the executive leadership team, the Chief of Staff is responsible for collaboration with each team to monitor operational progress and ensure the team stays on track to meet its goals and understands the institutional priorities.

This position is a hybrid role and requires in-office attendance of at least 3 days per week or more, especially when the President & CEO is in office.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Act as a thought partner to the President & CEO to define institutional priorities, track key performance indicators, and shape long-term business goals
• Work with the President & CEO to incubate ideas and organizational initiatives
• Oversee critical cross-functional initiatives, streamline internal workflows, and manage the leadership team's daily priorities
• Serve as a primary bridge between the President & CEO, internal teams, and external stakeholders
• Prioritize the President & CEO's time, prepare briefing materials, and tracking action items from leadership meetings
• Serve as gatekeeper to and principal support of the President & CEO, ascertaining the nature of the business and personally handling requests for routine information and directing other inquiries to the appropriate staff, and anticipating and proactively addressing issues for the President
• Complete a broad variety of administrative tasks for the President including managing an extremely active calendar of meetings, conference calls, speaking engagements, and travel; completing expense reports and submitting check requests; composing and preparing correspondence; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas for both domestic and international travel; and preparing the President & CEO's meetings and calls
• Research, prioritize, and follow up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the President & CEO, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature, and determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response; preemptively prepare the President & CEO by advising her of cross-organization information as well as any pertinent external information in advance of any action
• Manage the information flow in and out of the President & CEO's office (e.g., answering, directing, and organizing calls, directing incoming email, drafting outgoing correspondence, producing itineraries and schedules, maintaining files and records, etc.); proof and edit all letters for President & CEO's signature coming from other teams
• Research and acquire information on people and organizations with whom the President & CEO is meeting; provide her with relevant information and paperwork for upcoming meetings
• Serve as a liaison with building management and lead emergency procedures
• Oversee office projects including improvements and annual maintenance
• Develop a strong rapport with team members, while demonstrating flexibility and willingness to assist co-workers/team members at all times
• Provide support at Council events (registration, ushering, etc), requiring some evening and/or early morning hours
• Perform other projects as assigned

• 8-10+ years of experience as an assistant to a senior corporate, academic, government, or non-profit executive; Successful candidates may well have more years of experience
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment with conflicting and changing priorities; juggle multiple tasks and requests in a mature and calm manner and deal with difficult personalities
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Superior computer skills, including extensive knowledge of and experience using MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook
• Superb interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with people at all levels using courtesy and discretion; Team player and willingness to collaborate
• Great initiative and a proactive spirit (e.g., the ability to anticipate the President's needs).
• Demonstrated interest and/or background in international affairs/public policy a plus