Chief Of Staff, Office Of The President

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Chief of Staff (CoS) will serve under the direction of the President of ACS CAN as a trusted right-hand, ensuring timely and comprehensive strategic and operational support for the President, the ACS CAN Board of Directors and the Senior Leadership Team. The ideal candidate will anticipate needs and directives before they arise, triage issues, produce required materials, and proactively ensure that the President is well prepared for each day and its unique set of challenges/opportunities.
This role will efficiently assist in the management of a wide range of priorities and constituents including internal and external stakeholders, team members, funders and external partners. The CoS maintains a large portfolio of projects housed within the Office of the President and is responsible for supporting the strategic integration across ACS pillars and support functions, serving a critical role in the flow of information and awareness. The CoS ACS CAN is also responsible for strategic support of the ACS CAN Board of Directors, as well as the the ACS CAN Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The CoS is a key player in the strategy and execution of the Advocacy pillar priorities, ensuring full integrated both within ACS CAN and across the enterprise to achieve identified metrics. This is a strategic, facilitative and producer role that requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, leadership presence, natural self-motivation and independent work style, flexibility, strong analytical ability, project management, and the highest level of attention to detail.
In addition to support of the President, this is a highly collaborative role in which the CoS, ACS CAN, will ensure follow through of advocacy-led initiatives, work collaboratively with similar enterprise-wide roles and senior leaders across pillars and create strong communicative relationships and processes in a complex, fast-paced environment.
There is preference for candidates that are based in the DC area. Must be available to work Eastern Standard Time hours.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The job duties of this position are fluid and evolving, but generally encompass the following primary responsibilities:

• Through understanding executive and organizational goals, the CoS will ensure the President’s time is leveraged effectively and efficiently, by engaging the right participants, setting the agenda, and triaging issues as needed, preparing and producing all briefing materials and ensuring the President is fully prepared. Considerations include face-to-face meetings and calls with donors, the American Cancer Society executive team, the senior leadership team, and other internal and external stakeholders. As assigned, support SLT members for execution of key initiatives.
• Serve as strategic partner to the SLT by driving workflows and meeting agendas, facilitating discussions, and managing President/Advocacy-led initiated projects as determined by the President, the SLT and the Integrated Strategic Financial Plan (ISFP). Projects may range.
• from overseeing a leadership retreat, to convening key teams on various initiatives, to supporting critical initiatives relating to advocacy execution through material creation.
• Responsible for strategic engagement through materials development for ACS CAN Board of Directors. In partnership with enterprise Governance, lead the creation of pre-read and presentation materials for the Board and its Committees in partnership with assigned ACS CAN management partners. The CoS will help ensure execution of the President’s goals for the Board and ensure compliance to all milestones and Board meetings execution and help manage support for and engagement of Chair of the Board.
• Works collaboratively to identify emerging issues needing executive communications with Advocacy Communications & Public Policy. CoS elevates issues about which the President & SLT should be aware, and, conversely, represents the President’s position in a myriad of contexts.
• Responsible for both recurring and ad hoc presentation materials for specific meetings including weekly SLT, enterprise leadership meetings, needs for ACS CEO and ACS Executive Team. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILL

• 8+ years relevant work experience, focused on project management experience, with progressive experiences at director or executive strategic support level. Nonprofit experience and public policy and/or grassroots advocacy preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; masters degree preferred.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership skills demonstrating the ability to successfully work within all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Extremely detail oriented and able to deliver to tight timelines.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment, in a proactive and self-sufficient manner.
• Demonstrate experience in leading significant organization-wide initiatives from project inception through implementation. Strategic approach with the focus on the future delivering best-in-class solutions.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to influence across the organization.
• Proven experience in working with a wide range of Staff demonstrating highly effective interpersonal skills, multi-tasking skills and ability to remain highly motivated in changing circumstances.
• Confidence and comfort in interacting with executives and key leaders.
• Strong technology competency with project management systems, Microsoft Office 365 including PowerPoint, PowerBI and MS Teams.
• Able to operate in a team environment that holds individuals accountable for results.

SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work typically performed indoors in a home or office environment.
• Monthly travel required. Must have the ability to travel (by car and/or airplane) when necessary.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has adopted a vaccination policy that requires all staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (except where prohibited by state law).
ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.

Position Requirements: