Senior Managing Director, Chief of Staff

ROLE TITLE: Senior Managing Director, Chief of Staff (Full-Time)

POSITION REPORTS TO: Dave Howland, Executive Director, TFA Metro Atlanta

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, June 7th. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

LOCATION: Atlanta, GA

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Senior Managing Director, Chief of Staff is a senior leadership role at TFA Metro Atlanta, serving as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and a driving force for how the organization plans, operates, and works together. This person ensures that our priorities are clear, our teams are aligned, and that the work we do every day reflects our commitment to students, corps members, and alumni across the Atlanta metro area.

The Chief of Staff brings together strategic thinking and operational follow-through - keeping the organization focused, holding teams accountable, and building a culture where people do their best work. They are passionate about developing strong, high-performing teams and believe that investing in people is inseparable from achieving mission impact. When schedules conflict or moments require a senior presence, the Chief of Staff steps in to represent TFA Metro Atlanta externally - whether with board members, community partners, or national stakeholders - with the credibility and judgment the Executive Director trusts. In every sense, this person is the Executive Director's right hand - the partner who makes sure nothing falls through the cracks and that the organization is always moving forward.

WHAT YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Strategic Planning and Execution (30%)

• Collaborate with the Executive Director (ED) to develop and execute annual plans aligned with organizational goals and strategy.

• Lead the development and monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress towards strategic objectives.

• Conduct regular assessments of organizational performance and provide strategic recommendations for improvement.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the ED, providing strategic counsel and support on key initiatives and decisions. Also, in partnership with the Executive Assistant, ensure that the ED manages time and commitments aligned with regional strategy and priorities.

• Lead the regional strategic planning, goal-setting, budgeting and talent planning processes.

• Design and ensure effective execution of regional performance management protocols to ensure that the LT monitors progress against strategic and operational plans and course corrects as necessary

• Design and implement systems for effective internal communication and coordination, including identifying key decision points and determining who needs to be involved.

Cross-Functional Leadership (20%)

• Facilitate collaboration and inter and intra-communication across teams to drive alignment and achieve organizational objectives.

• Charter and lead cross-functional teams to address complex challenges, drive innovation, and implement best practices.

• Keeper of team culture - leverage data sets like Culture Amp semi-annual survey, empathy interviews, and team feedback to monitor team culture and lead the efforts to ensure that we pursue our vision of excellence for team culture.

• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Serve as the manager for the MD, Alumni Leadership and MD, Alumni Engagement.

• Serve as the regional point of contact for the student data project.

Regional Operations (30%)

• Oversee the development and implementation of efficient operational processes and systems to support organizational effectiveness.

• Manage regional budget development and ongoing modifications in alignment with our regional goals and in collaboration with national finance partner.

• Identify opportunities for streamlining workflows, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity.

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as the primary liaison to the national Finance, Human Assets, Legal and Administrative team.

• Serve as regional Elevate lead, thereby stewarding and supporting all managers on our team to consistently and effectively engage in performance management and development activities with their direct reports.

• Serve on the Regional Leadership Team and lead the design and execution of regional meeting spaces, including weekly team meetings, leadership action meetings, and the alumni functional team meetings.

• Participate in all-staff (region and organization-wide) activities and events such as selection, confirmation, strategic planning and summits.

• Support the effectiveness of the ED and team by implementing a predictable cadence to analyze our ecosystem, flagging trends, risks, and opportunities for the executive director and regional leadership team.

Board and External Work (20%)

• Report and work out of the Atlanta regional office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, along with any additional in-person meeting requirements.

• Attend all Regional Advisory Board meetings and coordinate with the Executive Assistant and the SMD, Development to ensure that the meetings are well-executed. This is inclusive of pre-work, meeting logistics, and follow-up.

• Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, national team members, and key local partners.

• Add agile capacity as needed to other regional and/or organization priorities.

• When required, represent Teach For America - Metro Atlanta at internal and external events in place of the Executive Director.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

No two weeks look exactly the same, but a typical week might unfold something like this: one day is anchored in leadership team work - driving strategic priorities, problem-solving with senior colleagues, and keeping key initiatives on track. Another day shifts to the full team, facilitating all-staff meetings and carving out dedicated time with direct reports on the Alumni team to support their work and development. Later in the week, the Chief of Staff might step out of the office entirely to represent TFA Metro Atlanta at a community or partnership meeting - bringing the organization's voice to external relationships that matter. The through-line across it all is someone who can move fluidly between big-picture thinking and the details that make things actually happen.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience and at least three years of experience managing individuals and teams.

• A strong track record of success in strategic planning, project management, organizational leadership, and building team culture.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and make data-driven decisions.

• Ability to provide others with effective professional development, coaching and mentoring

• Skill in influencing others toward outcomes through sophisticated relationship management

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive results, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strength and confidence in engaging in difficult conversations

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in non-profit and/or school-based work

• Familiarity with Teach for America and the education ecosystem in Atlanta

• Experience working with and/or supporting a non-profit/advisory board

• Ability to apply change management best practices when leading others through predictable and unpredictable changes.

• Fluent in digital systems such as Microsoft and Google Suite, Slack, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Asana.

• Experience leveraging AI-tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini to support team work.

• Able to work occasional evening or weekend hours as required.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

TFA Metro Atlanta is a passionate, mission-driven team anchored in the belief that every child has limitless potential - and that an excellent education is what unlocks it. Our team exists to make that a reality for kids and families across Metro Atlanta, and that shared conviction is what drives everything we do. With 25 years of deep roots in this city and a network that reflects the breadth of that legacy, we support over 2,700 Ignite tutors, corps members, and alumni who serve as teachers, principals, district leaders, and community advocates - collectively reaching more than 100,000 students across seven metro districts and state-approved charter schools. Since our founding, we have placed nearly 2,300 teachers in public schools across the Atlanta area, and that history gives our work both weight and momentum.

Our team is organized across three functional areas - the Program Team, the Alumni Team, and the External Affairs Team - collectively responsible for the full programmatic experience of our corps members and alumni, as well as the partnerships that make our work possible and sustainable in this community. We are a collaborative, close-knit group that holds ourselves to a high bar - not just in the results we pursue, but in how we show up for each other. We take culture seriously, regularly reflecting on how we're doing as a team and investing in the conditions that help everyone do their best work. If you are energized by meaningful work, thrive in an environment that balances strategic ambition with genuine team connection, and want to be part of a community that has been changing lives in Atlanta for a generation, this is your team.

YOUR COMPENSATION

The applicable salary range for each U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost of labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. The expected salary ranges for this role are set forth below. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Tier A: $108,900 - $145,700

You can view which tier applies to where you plan to work here. If your location is not listed, please click here for additional total rewards information.