Chief of Staff

Job Title: Chief of Staff

Position Overview

Great Lakes Housing Services (GLHS) is seeking a Chief of Staff and Director of Operations to serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and help lead a growing statewide housing organization.

The Chief of Staff serves as the Executive Director's primary strategic and operational partner and is responsible for ensuring organizational priorities are executed effectively across the organization.

While technical housing consulting engagements and client deliverables remain led by GLHS subject matter experts, the Chief of Staff plays a leadership role in organizational growth, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, strategic initiatives, operational execution, and cross-functional project coordination.

This position is expected to operate with a high degree of independence and professional judgment while representing GLHS internally and externally. Over time, the Chief of Staff will cultivate relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders that contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the organization.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable developing internal systems, managing complex projects, representing GLHS in external meetings, and helping advance the organization's mission throughout Michigan and beyond.

While this is not a purely administrative role, the Chief of Staff will serve as a trusted advisor and operational leader responsible for helping guide organizational priorities and execution.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Partnership & External Relations

• Serve as a thought partner and strategic advisor to the Executive Director.
• Represent GLHS in meetings, conferences, trainings, and partner engagements.
• Travel regularly  (~20-30% of the time) throughout Michigan and occasionally nationally to support organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, housing partners, government agencies, Tribal Nations, and community stakeholders.
• Prepare executive briefings, meeting materials, and follow-up actions for high-level engagements.

Housing & Strategic Initiatives

• Support implementation of affordable housing development, technical assistance, and community development initiatives.
• Participate in meetings with housing authorities, local governments, tribal communities, developers, funders, and other partners.
• Assist in developing strategies to advance affordable housing opportunities throughout Michigan.
• Conduct research and analysis related to housing policy, funding opportunities, and community development trends.
• Represent GLHS at conferences, trainings, stakeholder meetings, and industry events as assigned.
• Support preparation of presentations, proposals, and technical assistance materials.

Operations & Systems Management

• Develop and maintain internal systems for project tracking, maintaining impact and business development pipelines, internal and external reporting, dashboards and organizational workflows
• Create and document standard operating procedures across key functions
• Create and project manage organizational calendar (grants, reporting deadlines, board meetings, events)
• Project management, including property management oversight and operational improvements
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost savings, and process improvement
• Create and track invoices for fee-for-service work;
• Support various business operations, such as insurance renewals, information technology, membership renewals, employee reimbursements, and other human resource functions, as necessary.
• Develop, track and plan trainings for entire GLHS Staff

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the GLHS leadership team and help guide organizational strategy and growth.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that advance GLHS's mission and strategic plan.
• Coordinate and oversee implementation of the GLHS Strategic Plan and organizational performance measures.
• Monitor organizational performance and recommend operational and programmatic improvements.
• Support development and implementation of annual organizational goals and priorities.
• Provide leadership and oversight for special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Act on behalf of the Executive Director when appropriate.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Maintain and track partnership and business development pipelines.
• Support cultivation of strategic relationships with funders, public agencies, tribal partners, and community organizations.
• Assist in identifying and pursuing new consulting, technical assistance, and development opportunities.
• Support preparation of scopes of work, proposals, budgets, and partnership agreements.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships that support organizational growth, funding opportunities, and mission advancement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Convenings

• Lead planning and coordination of conferences, trainings, convenings, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support development and execution of engagement strategies that maximize participation, visibility, and organizational impact.
• Coordinate sponsors, speakers, partners, and logistics for organizational events.
• Support promotion and communications related to organizational convenings and special initiatives.

Grants & Fund Development Support

• Manage grant pipeline tracking, submissions, and reporting timelines
• Coordinate with program leads to collect required data and materials
• Support identification of new funding opportunities and manage funder prospect list
• Assist with preparation of proposals, reports, and funder communications
• Support cultivation and stewardship of foundation, corporate, and public-sector funding relationships.
• Participate in funder meetings, proposal development, and grant strategy discussions.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a diversified funding pipeline.
• Support sponsorship development and fundraising efforts for organizational events and initiatives.

Program & Contract Coordination

• Track deliverables and timelines across all active projects and contracts
• Support coordination with partners, subcontractors, and stakeholders
• Ensure consistency in reporting, documentation, and compliance requirements

Communications & External Relations

• Support implementation of GLHS communications strategy
• Coordinate website updates and content management
• Assist with press releases, stakeholder communications, and annual reporting planning
• Prepare briefing materials for meetings and external engagements

Board & Organizational Support

• Coordinate board meeting logistics, materials, and follow-ups
• Support development of board communications and governance processes
• Assist with planning and execution of organizational events and trainings

Strategic & Executive Support

• Support the Executive Director in advancing key initiatives and partnerships
• Prepare materials, summaries, and follow-ups for high-level meetings
• Help manage priorities and ensure alignment across organizational efforts

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of experience in affordable housing, community development, nonprofit leadership, public administration, economic development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated understanding of affordable housing finance, housing policy, community development programs, or housing-related technical assistance.
• Experience managing complex grants, contracts, and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong executive presence and ability to represent an organization externally.
• Experience working with government agencies, foundations, tribal organizations, local units of government, or housing developers.
• Exceptional project management and organizational leadership skills.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout Michigan (~20-30%) and occasionally nationally.
• Experience supervising staff, consultants, contractors, or project teams preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a small, entrepreneurial organization where staff are expected to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.