Director & Chief of Staff

Position Description:

About Mathematica:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.

About the opportunity:

The Chief of Staff is a key role on Mathematica's executive team. This individual will report to the CEO and interface with the executive team, support strategic initiatives and drive accountability for goals across the company. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with a blend of strategic, operational, project management, and leadership skills. They enjoy solving complex problems, are highly collaborative, and operate with a strong bias toward action and results. They exercise exceptional discretion with confidential information. The Chief of Staff provides highly responsible and confidential professional assistance to the CEO and manages the workflow in the CEO's office to ensure it is aligned with strategic priorities. This role also serves as liaison to professional associations and other external partners and audiences, as needed. The Chief of Staff works closely with the CEO and the other members of the Executive Committee to manage the team's engagement at committee meetings and on critical initiatives.

Core responsibilities:

Coordinates, facilitates, and participates in Executive Committee and Officer meetings

• Works with CEO to prepare agendas and materials for high-level management meetings.
• Coordinates with senior management to ensure topics align with strategic priorities, pre-reads are posted in timely manner ahead of meetings, and manages follow up.
• Ensures meetings run efficiently and stay on track
• Engages in discussion
• Oversees the record of decisions and action items and follows-up to ensure alignment on decisions and completion of actions

Prepares CEO for internal and external presentations

• Prepares briefs, agendas, and presentations on a variety of topics for various audiences.
• Works with the CEO, Communications, and others to plan and prepare CEO for internal and external presentations.
• Manages the flow of information from Executive Committee to the rest of the organization related to strategic priorities and key decisions
• Contributes as needed to the planning and preparation for the CEO's participation in several recurring events, such as the shareholders' meeting and end of fiscal year address.

Provides high-level executive support Provides a wide variety of high-level executive support to ensure that CEO is well prepared and is maximizing key opportunities. Select activities include:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, handling inquiries, developing action plans, assisting with preparation and dissemination of communications, and making recommendations.
• Developing and managing a list of people and organizations CEO should be meeting with so that his schedule can be effectively maximized when traveling.
• Developing a travel plan and coordinating appropriate meetings and activities to ensure proper presence with staff.
• Serving as a representative for the CEO as needed for certain events or meetings and debriefs with the CEO for decision-making or follow-up
• Work closely with the CEO's EA to improve efficiency and ensure the best use of time, including prioritizing projects and preparation for meetings.

Helps drive strategic initiatives and leads special projects that cut across functional areas and business units

• Helps CEO achieve objectives for the year/month.
• Helps strategic ideas take root and provide early facilitation and support to place and organize initiatives.
• Owns project management for key initiatives, ensuring follow-up, ownership, and clarity.
• Works with the CEO and strategic planning team to track progress against plans and identify when additional guidance or follow-up (from either the Chief of Staff or the CEO) is needed.
• Projects and responsibilities will be wide and varied and will evolve over time as new priorities and business needs emerge.

Actively support the advancement of organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and apply diversity, equity, and inclusion lens across job responsibilities.

Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree and master's degree preferred, OR commensurate experience in lieu of a degree.
• At least ten years of professional experience.
• Experience in Mathematica's industry of social and public policy research, program improvement, analytics, and technology solutions.
• Experience in professional services and in government contracting is strongly preferred.
• Ability to take in a lot of information and identify the most important points.
• Is highly organized, responsible, and consistent.
• Is guided by exceptional common sense, flexibility, and discretion
• Turns ideas into action with impeccable follow-up and perseverance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent partnership, collaboration, and people skills.
• A 'find a way' mindset, spotting opportunities to improve and takes action to make it happen.
• Abiltity to work independently and accomplish work quickly and accurately within a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to handle stressful situations with measured calmness and decisiveness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Power point.
• Availability on weekends and evenings when required.
• Willingness/ability to travel

This position offers an anticipated base salary range of $120,000 - $165,000.

Available locations: Princeton, NJ; Washington, DC; Remote

Although Mathematica does not require vaccination from COVID-19 as a condition of employment, various projects or agencies may require documentation of vaccination (or an approved exception/accommodation).

Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo a background investigation or security clearance as a condition of working on certain projects. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.