Chief of Staff

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as senior advisor to the Director, overseeing Director’s initiatives and working with stakeholders to ensure successful and timely outcomes, collaborating with senior leadership on strategic Institute efforts, ensuring seamless, effective, and focused communications at all levels of the organization, and offering objective perspectives on key issues to the Director. This role requires strategic thinking, excellent organizational and leadership skills, and the ability to engage and problem solve across a diverse set of projects and contributors.

The Chief of Staff is pivotal in fostering a positive, collaborative, and productive environment through interactions with both internal and external stakeholders. This position will be a member of Senior Management team and require majority on-site presence, reporting to the STScI headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn about STScI Missions

Link to apply: https://stsci.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/81575

Essential Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritize and execute strategic Institute initiatives.
• Provide insights and recommendations to support decision-making processes.
• Oversee Director’s initiatives to ensure timely and effective results.

Decision-Making:

• Support the Director in critical decision-making processes.
• Provide comprehensive analysis and strategic insights as needed.
• Act as a trusted senior advisor, offering objective perspectives & strategic insight.
• Monitor and report on institute-wide and multi-mission issues to the Director and senior management.

Communication:

• Serve as a liaison to ensure communications between Missions, Divisions, and Senior Leadership are effective and focused.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and resolve project-related issues.
• Communicate objectives and strategic initiatives clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences so that priorities, principles, and expectations are well understood and drive the work and goals of the organization

Executive Support:

• Anticipate needs and provide support to ensure the Director is knowledgeable of current topics.
• Ensure the Director’s involvement in decision making processes takes place at key times, where their input and authority are most needed.
• Prepare presentations and materials for board meetings, conferences, and all hands meetings.
• Ensure high levels of discretion and confidentiality.

Hiring and Management:

• Establish standards and procedures for hiring and managing office staff and personnel supporting the Director’s Office.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and development of administrative team members, including the Communications Manager.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or other technical fields. Advanced degree is preferred. 8+ years of experience in a senior management role, preferably as a Chief of Staff or similar role. Experience in an academic, science, or engineering organization preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Leadership Skills:
  • Recognized as a leader through current or past experience in leadership positions requiring initiative, independent judgment, and sound decision-making.
  • Ability to serve as an agent for change including motivating staff.
• Problem Solving:
  • Strong analytic and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify solutions to complex issues.
  • Ability to identify and use metrics to make critical date-driven decisions.
  • Ability to anticipate and appropriately address potential concerns, conflicts, and contradictory information.
• Organizational Skills:
  • Detail oriented; Able to effectively prioritize and execute competing tasks and projects
  • Strong ability to disseminate significant amounts of information in a concise and informed manner.
• Communication:
  • Excellent verbal, presentation, and written skills required.
  • Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Interpersonal Skills:
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships within the Institute, with AURA and oversight entities, with NASA, and with other outside entities.

Compensation is commensurate with education and experience. Substitution of additional relevant education or experience for stated qualifications may be considered. Position offers comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance. Salary range is $230-260K. Explore the Benefits!

Applicants should submit the following materials in a single PDF file: a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Candidates should take advantage of the cover letter to describe their particular interest and how your experience could support success as Chief of Staff.

Please ONLY use this link to apply:  https://stsci.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/81575

Applications received by November 29, 2024, will receive full consideration.

Inquiries can be sent to careers@stsci.edu

The diversity of the STScI staff enhances the dynamic and collegial atmosphere of our community and reflects our commitment to inclusivity in the broadest sense. Accordingly, women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, STScI does not discriminate because of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, or mental or physical handicap. Veterans, disabled or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at careers@stsci.edu. All employment is contingent on establishing eligibility to work in the United States, including obtaining an appropriate visa, if necessary.