Chief of Staff and Culture

Position Summary:

The Chief of Staff and Culture leads the culture change work of the organization, including developing leadership and management, advancing the justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) principles, and supporting the monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) work of the organization. They also facilitate and support the leadership teams of the organization, and they provide strategic counsel to the President/Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors. The Chief of Staff and Culture manages organization-wide projects or initiatives, including labor relations and community engagement, and ensures effective internal and external communication so that organizational priorities are in alignment across the Center. The role is an executive leadership team member and reports directly to the President/CEO.

Primary Job Functions:

• Support and provide strategic counsel to the President/CEO; serve as a thought partner to the President/CEO by helping to set strategic priorities;
• Prepare for and manage weekly Executive Team (ET) and Leadership Team (LT) meetings, bi-monthly joint ET/LT meetings, quarterly meetings between the JEDI team and the leadership teams, and all leadership retreats; ensure time spent together aligns with strategic priorities, and that there is clear ownership and follow through on projects and initiatives;
• Manage the teams doing the culture work of the organization, including the JEDI and the MEAL teams; provide management and thought leadership to their efforts and ensure integration across all departments and teams;
• Develop and convey a comprehensive multi-year diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy that aligns with SPLC’s strategic goals and objectives; ensure that SPLC’s long-term plans are inspired by an equity lens, and fully reflect the organization’s equity identity and focus on inclusion;
• Lead the organization’s efforts to create a positive working environment reflecting organizational values; implement initiatives to develop leadership skills and establish accountability mechanisms for leadership;
• Oversee the build out and implementation of the state-based community engagement and community organizing model;
• Provide an organizational perspective to support senior leaders and ensure organizational success, including leading cross-functional task forces, as needed; manage the execution of organizational projects and initiatives that require cross-team collaboration where decision-making spans across departments;
• Manage a team, providing mentoring and coaching to support the work;
• Hire, train, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties, and conduct performance reviews;
• Support President/CEO in developing agendas and materials for the Board of Directors and committee meetings; organize regular briefings for Board members on the work of the organization; identify opportunities to engage the Board of Directors on strategic issues and communicate with Board Members as appropriate; and
• Design, develop and implement structures, processes, initiatives to support organizational goals and priorities.

Qualifications –

Related work experience:

• Minimum of twelve (12) years in a leadership role with a track record of success in leading organizational change and innovation with demonstrated results;
• Significant experience in advancing JEDI principles and working with organizations to manifest these values in the workplace;
• Minimum of seven (7) years managing, developing, mentoring and supporting a diverse and high-performing team of communications staff
• Demonstrated success developing leadership skills to enhance high levels of collaboration;
• Expertise in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and tracking program quality, performance, outcomes, and impact; and
• High school diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to inspire and motivate staff, board and allies to advance a shared vision and communicate that vision to all audiences;
• An entrepreneurial, proactive attitude with strong organizational skills;
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to change and work within an impact-oriented organizational environment;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills;
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing tasks and demands;
• Enthusiasm, initiative, and grace under pressure; 
• Commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

This role has the following work designation options: 

• Distant Remote:  Will work remotely and are not expected to work in the states in which the SPLC has an office or in an SPLC office. They may be required to attend occasional meetings or activities in the states in which the SPLC has an office or elsewhere.
• Local Remote:  Will work remotely but are expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework:  Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position.  These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.

Date posted:  9.15.2022