Company Name
The JPB Foundation
Company City
New York
Company State
NY
Job Location
Hybrid
Company Information
JPB’s vision is to build the power of those who have been denied it to challenge and change oppressive systems, and advance visions of a more just, democratic, and sustainable world. We are dedicated to long-lasting, systemic change. That means we commit to our partners for the long haul, trusting in the strength and vision of the organizations we support to address some of our country’s most entrenched problems.
JPB was founded in 2011 by Barbara Picower, the current president of the Foundation and Chair of the Board with funds bequeathed by her late husband, Jeffry. In April 2023, JPB announced the selection of Deepak Bhargava as its next President, succeeding Picower, who will transition into a President Emerita role in February 2024. Over the last 10 years, JPB has grown to be one of the largest US foundations, awarding over $300 million in grants each year.
Job Description
The JPB Foundation seeks a highly capable and versatile Chief of Staff, a newly created position in a period of transformation under new leadership. The Chief of Staff will serve as an extension of and right hand to the incoming President, ensuring the cohesion and functionality of the organization while translating a bold vision into tangible results. This role requires exceptional problem-solving skills, the ability to navigate complex situations, and the capacity to build strong relationships with high-level internal and external stakeholders. The Chief of Staff will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of the foundation’s mission, in conjunction with the Board and other senior leaders, while fostering a culture of collaboration and values alignment.
Reporting Relationship
The Chief of Staff reports to the President.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Organizational Alignment: Serve as the liaison between the President, Programs, and Operations functions of the foundation, maintaining a comprehensive view of all initiatives, projects, and goals and ensuring execution towards the foundation’s strategy. Proactively identify areas that require attention or improvement and work with relevant stakeholders to develop and enact solutions.
2. Vision Implementation: Working with senior leadership, ensure the Board and President’s vision and strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans and initiatives. Bridge the gap between strategic goals and operational execution, ensuring effective implementation across all departments. Identify and realize operational vehicles to achieve programmatic vision.
3. Board Relations: Facilitate cohesive and impactful interactions within the Board of Directors, fostering a collegial and outcomes-oriented culture. Design and organize meetings, set agendas, and guide discussions to drive strategic and innovative thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. Maintain effective Board communication and engagement in between meetings, serving as primary liaison between the Board and the President.
4. Executive Level and Staff Management: Drive the internal senior staff team, fostering a culture of strategic vision, inclusiveness, and collaboration. Design senior staff agendas (both routine and step-backs) and ensure new and existing senior staff members are well integrated and mutually supportive and accountable. Manage the President’s Office personnel, designing and enforcing systems and structures to maintain the President’s time and focus on issues of highest importance.
5. Culture and Team Development: Ensure the foundation’s values are reflected in day-to-day operations. Working alongside other team members in the foundation, support the development and success of senior leaders within the organization. Identify opportunities for staff growth and foster an environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement. Design and implement effective internal communications, ensuring information is shared transparently and efficiently throughout the foundation.
6. Risk and Crisis Management: Safeguard the foundation’s reputation, supervising the communications function to promote the foundation’s mission and values while minimizing brand risk. Maintain a vigilant approach to ethics and ensure ethical values are practiced by the staff. Collaborate with legal and security teams to identify and address potential risks, ensuring the foundation operates in accordance with all relevant regulations and best practices. Develop and implement crisis management protocols, including communication strategies and scenario planning. Serve as a point person for crises, coordinating responses and working closely with relevant teams to address issues promptly.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The targeted starting salary range for this position is $375,000 – $425,000 annually, based on experience. JPB offers an extensive and generous benefits package including health insurance (with 100% of the premiums paid for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and qualified family members), paid time off (including last week of the year), 401(k) retirement plan with 12% employer contribution, and access to an inclusive family building reimbursement plan. JPB provides up to $5,000 annually for professional development and the ability to recommend an annual grant to the nonprofit of your choice.
WORKING WITH JPB
We believe that diversity is critical to our mission, and we value an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences related to our programs and applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The JPB Foundation is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate in employment based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age or sexual orientation.
The JPB Foundation is based in Manhattan, NY. JPB staff operates on a hybrid schedule and currently works from the NYC office 3 days weekly, with the flexibility to work remotely two days weekly. Strong preference is for candidates based in New York, but willing to accept applicants from other parts of the country, with a requirement to travel to New York frequently, in addition to other travel around the country.
The targeted starting salary range for this position listed below is based on experience: position pay range $375,000—$425,000 USD
Job Qualifications
- Significant senior-level leadership and management experience, preferably within a social justice mission-driven organization
- Proven ability to manage multiple functions within an organization, including operations, communications, and programmatic teams; a track record of achieving superb operational effectiveness among disparate workstreams
- Proven ability to facilitate and drive groups of senior leaders to achieve mission-aligned outcomes
- Strong interpersonal communications skills, an effective and strategic relationship-builder
- Impeccable judgment and tactfulness
- Proven ability to make decisions and direct others in high-pressure and fluid situations
- Ability to forecast potential problems and risks and head them off at the pass
- Flexibility and adaptability in an ever-changing environment
- Brings a sense of joy and humor to their work
- Low-ego; committed to advancing the whole rather than themselves
- Experience in managing and mentoring teams, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture
- Deep fluency in social justice and equity principles, with the ability to integrate these principles into programmatic strategies and operations
How to Apply
Apply online! Priority will be given to applications submitted by August 15, 2023.