HybridHybrid position with some in-person work; domestic travel required.
Business & StrategyBusiness Operations
About the job
Requirements
A bachelor's degree is required.
At least 10 years of experience in nonprofit, public policy, government, or mission-driven organizations.
Demonstrated success advising top executives and managing conflicting priorities with little supervision.
Ability to operate with discretion, influence outcomes, and navigate ambiguity.
Track record of handling complex situations and multiple responsibilities while balancing long-term projects with immediate demands.
Ability to think strategically and serve as a strategic thought partner to the President.
Strong interest in Alliance for Justice's social justice mission.
Ability to collaborate across organizational levels and achieve actionable results through others, and to engage with members, donors, and stakeholders.
Ability to set clear timelines and drive projects to completion with urgency.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and speech, using an appropriate tone across channels including phone, in person, email, memos, PowerPoint, mail, and social media.
Ability to understand the political landscape and the organization's work in relation to the executive branch, Congress, the judiciary, and the progressive nonprofit sector; remain aware of relevant news cycles; and apply knowledge of the Washington, D.C. policy environment to senior leadership decision-making.
Ability to turn ideas into implementable projects and advance strategic programs and policies.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with humility, professionalism, and discretion.
Interest in and commitment to expanding knowledge of structural racism and institutions prioritizing racial equity.
Responsibilities
Maintain continuous communication with AFJ functional areas, keep the President informed of critical issues, and disseminate policies, processes, and ideas across departments on the President's behalf.
Work with Vice Presidents and the President's direct reports as a liaison to the President and executive team partner.
Partner with the President and Vice President of Strategy on organizational programmatic strategy by translating strategic decisions into operational work plans; supporting systems design for cross-team initiatives, campaigns, and multi-year strategies; identifying opportunities to align programs with the strategic plan and strengthen program priorities; monitoring information across teams to inform program decisions and resource allocation; facilitating communication and workflows across program teams; and developing systems to track shared priorities and collaboration.
Work with the Operations team, including budget, administrative, technology, general counsel, and human resources functions.
Collaborate on strategic planning and support development and implementation of the organization's next strategic plan for its 50th anniversary.
Assess existing systems and implement process improvements to deepen organizational impact.
With the Senior Manager of Executive Operations, President, and Board Chair, support Board and committee meeting planning and preparation, oversee Board materials, meeting logistics, and quality assurance of statutory requirements, including collection, approval, and archival of minutes, bylaw changes, and directives.
Occasionally travel with and staff the President at events, meetings, and speaking engagements.
Monitor cross-team processes to ensure appropriate preparation and staffing for the President's external engagements.
Assist with the President's internal and external written and spoken communications, and support timely drafting of external communications.
Prepare the President for internal and external meetings, track and execute resulting action items, and attend many of those meetings.
Prepare decision recommendations for the President by clarifying objectives, options, risks, and tradeoffs across mission impact, financial sustainability, reputation, and organizational capacity, integrating perspectives from research leadership, finance, administration, legal, development, communications, and external affairs into decision-ready materials.
Desired Qualifications
Juris doctorate degree is strongly preferred.
Leadership experience at a nonprofit advocacy organization or in a position conducting AFJ mission-aligned work is highly preferred.
Management experience is strongly preferred.
Job Title
Chief of Staff
Reports to
President
FLSA Status
Exempt
Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of over 140 organizations representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ’s programs comprise four core pillars:
Our Bolder Advocacy program builds progressive power by providing nonprofit advocates with the training, technical assistance, and resources they need to comply with the federal and state laws associated with nonprofit advocacy. Bolder Advocacy is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process.
AFJ Law deepens our support of nonprofits’ advocacy, strengthen the progressive movement’s ability to advocate within the bounds of IRS restrictions on tax-exempt organizations, and ensure compliance to keep their organizations safe. AFJ Law goes beyond providing technical assistance to providing legal advice on nonprofit clients’ activities.
Our Justice Program works to ensure that our state and federal courts protect our democracy and our core rights and values, preserve human rights, and provide access to justice for all. We research federal judicial nominees, educate the public and elected leaders about them, and advocate for demographically and professionally diverse nominees, who will protect our rights.
Our Outreach & Membership team deepens and expands the engagement of AFJ’s core constituencies, including supporting our member organizations with Bolder Advocacy, judicial nominations, and capacity building resources to advance their missions. We also educate and mobilize members, partners, and advocates with the tools and AFJ resources they need to advocate for courts that protect the rights of all us and defend nonprofits’ role in protecting our democracy.
AFJ Action promotes a national conversation about the importance of the courts and other key AFJ issues through advocacy, research, and mobilizing progressive advocates and voters. It also serves as the leading expert on the legal framework for 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy efforts because we believe it will take all of us to defend our democracy.
Job Description The President of the Alliance for Justice/ AFJ Action is seeking a Chief of Staff who will oversee and advance theeffectiveness and impact of the Office of the President and serve as the trusted right hand to the President. The Chief of Staff will work closely with the President to coordinate, align, and build cohesion across the organization and to advance the organization's priorities. The Chief of Staff will also support the President in working and communicating effectively with all internal and external stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and partners, ultimately ensuring that the President is maximizing her time and meeting near and long-termgoals, priorities, and objectives, particularly as it pertains to organizational culture, external communications, and development. The Chief of Staff will join the Alliance at an exciting moment of strategic building as the historic organization deepens its impact through its next chapter and 50th anniversary.
Job Responsibilities
Maintain continuous lines of communication with all AFJ functional areas, keeping the President informed of all critical issues and disseminating policies, processes and ideas across departments on behalf of the President.
Work closely with all Vice Presidents and all direct reports to the President, acting as both a liaison to the President when needed and executive team partner.
Work closely with both the President and Vice President of Strategy as a strategic thought partner and driver of organizational programmatic strategy, including by:
translating strategic decisions into operationalized work plans;
assisting in the systems-design supporting cross-team initiatives, campaigns and multi-year strategies;
spotting opportunities to strengthen alignment of programs with strategic plan, build on existing program priorities, and/or issue-spot potential challenges;
monitoring information across functional teams to inform high level program decisions and allocation of program resources;
facilitating effective communication and workflows across program teams;
and developing operational systems as needed to track shared priorities and strengthen collaboration.
Work closely with the Operations team, including the budget, administrative, technology, general counsel and human resources functions for the organization.
Work collaboratively to lead strategic planning processes, as needed. Support the building and implementation of the organization’s next strategic plan that will carry it into its 50th anniversary.
Maintain a critical eye to ways the organization’s impact can be deepened by formally and informallyassessing systems in place and implementing new ways to improve processes.
With support from the Senior Manager of Executive Operations and in close collaboration with the President and Board Chair, support the planning and preparation of Board meetings and Board committee meetings; including oversight of materials shared with theBoard, meeting planning and logistics,and qualityassuranceof all statutory requirementsforBoardefforts, including collection,approvalandarchivalofminutes,changesto by-laws and directives.
Occasionally travel with and staff the President at events, meetings and speaking engagements.
Monitor cross-team processes to ensure appropriate preparation and staffing for the President’s external engagements.
Assist with the President's internal and external communications, both written and spoken, and support the drafting and timeliness of external communications, as necessary.
Own behind-the-scenes preparation to make President meetings, both internal and external, successful, including the tracking, monitoring, and execution of action items that stem from these meetings, as well as attending many of them.
Structure recommendations on decisions for the President by clarifying objectives, options, risks, and tradeoffs across mission impact, financial sustainability, reputation, and organizational capacity, integrating perspectives from research leadership, finance, administration, legal, development, communications, and external affairs into clear, decision-ready materials.
Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree required; juris doctorate degree strongly preferred.
At least 10 years of experience in nonprofit, public policy, government, or mission driven organizations.
Leadership experience at a nonprofit advocacy organization or in a position conducting AFJ mission-aligned work highly preferred.
Management experience not required by strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success advising top executives and managing conflicting priorities with little supervision required.
Proven ability to operate with discretion, influence outcomes, and navigate ambiguity.
Track record of roles where you have had to utilize acumen and finesse to handle complex situations andmultiple responsibilities, and simultaneously mix long-term projects with the urgency of immediatedemands.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and serve as a strategic thought partner to the President.
Strong interest in the social justice mission of Alliance for Justice.
Traits that Will Make You Successful in this Role
Exceptional judgment and communication skills: ability to - collaborate with and achieve actionable resultsthrough others; interact within all levels of the organization; and engage with members, donors, andstakeholders.
Results-focused project manager: knows how to set clear timelines and drive projects to completion withasenseof urgency and knowinghowto get things done.
Collaborative people person: As one of the main public faces for the President, friendly, kind,collaborative, and professional
Clear communicator: Direct and concise. Speak and write eloquently and with a situation-appropriate tone, whether over the phone, in person, e-mail, memos, PowerPoint, snail mail, or social media channels.
Politically savvy: possess a recognition of the political landscape and the intersection of the organization’s work in relation to the executive branch, the Hill, the judiciary, and dynamics of the progressive nonprofit sector. Remain engaged in and aware of relevant news cycles, and deep understanding of the Washington D.C. policy environment, with the ability to navigate complex institutional, political, and stakeholder dynamics and to apply that understanding in support of senior leadership decision-making.
Process and implementation: possess the skills to take ideas and turn them into implementable projects and enjoy advancing and implementing strategic programs and policies.
Trustworthy: handle confidential and sensitive information with humility, professionalism, and discretion.
An interest in, and commitment to, expanding analysis and knowledge of the role that structural racism plays in our societyand the institutions that are working to prioritize racial equity.
Compensation
The salary range is $175,000 - $200,000 based on experience. AFJ provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, prescription, optional vision, dental, flexible spending account, and life and disability insurance,as well as commuter benefits and retirement programs.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time position. Days and core hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.to5:00p.m.
Physical Demands This position requires the ability to travel domestically and work long hours when needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Racial Equity Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may changeat any time with or without notice.
Job Location
Washington, DC – hybrid position, some in person work and travel required.
How to Apply Please submit your letter of interest and resume. (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).
AFJ/AFJAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFJ/AFJAC prohibits discrimination against its employees andapplicants for employment based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion,reprisal, sero-status and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexualorientation, or income.
Disclaimer
This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive. The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.