Chief of Staff and External Affairs Officer

Chief of Staff and External Affairs Officer

US-NJ-Trenton

Job :  •
Type: Regular Full-Time • # of Openings: 1 •
Category: External Affairs

Job Summary

EDA Overview

• Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA.

Job Overview

• Serves as a senior executive partner to the CEO and Deputy CEO, driving NJEDA’s strategic direction, operational execution, and external engagement.
• Leads the External Affairs vertical, overseeing Communications, Events and Marketing, and Government Affairs as well as International Innovation.
• Acts as a central coordinator across the Executive Team, Governor’s Office, the Legislature, local government, and other key external stakeholders.
• This role combines strategic leadership, executive management, and external relationship-building to ensure alignment between NJEDA’s mission, policy priorities, and public-facing activities. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor to senior leadership, an effective organizational integrator, and a credible external representative with deep experience in public sector leadership, economic development, and government affairs.

Salary
: $173,600 - $217,000

Note: The NJEDA offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high-speed home internet access and manager approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and maintain a principal residence in New Jersey.

Duties

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief of Staff to the CEO, ensuring effective execution of priorities, decision-making, and information flow across the Authority.
• Provide strategic counsel to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board on organizational performance, policy initiatives, and external engagement.
• Oversee External Affairs functions, ensuring alignment with NJEDA strategy and gubernatorial priorities.

Projects

• Serves as the central point of coordination across state agencies, the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, local governments, and external partners.
• Direct the Authority’s intergovernmental affairs strategy, including legislative engagement, policy coordination, and outreach to federal, state, county, and municipal stakeholders to advance NJEDA priorities.
• Oversee enterprise-level external initiatives spanning communications, public affairs, international engagement, and marketing, ensuring consistent execution and alignment with statewide economic policy objectives.
• At the direction of the CEO, advance key and politically sensitive NJEDA priorities and initiatives across the NJEDA and external stakeholders.

Goals and Objectives

• Strengthen NJEDA’s role as a trusted partner to the Governor’s Office, Legislature, and sister agencies by proactively aligning Authority initiatives with administration priorities and legislative objectives.
• Elevate NJEDA’s external presence and credibility through coordinated outreach, strategic messaging, and disciplined stakeholder engagement across government, industry, academia, and international partners.
• Ensure seamless execution of executive priorities by translating strategic direction into actionable workplans, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes across divisions.

Collaboration and Cross-Divisional Interaction

• Serve as the primary integrator across NJEDA divisions, ensuring alignment between policy, programs, communications, marketing, and external engagement in support of Authority and administration priorities.
• Act as NJEDA’s central point of coordination with the Governor’s Office, Legislature, state agencies, local governments, and federal partners, facilitating collaboration, resolving issues, and advancing shared objectives.
• Partner closely with Executive Team members to translate strategic direction into coordinated action, while ensuring…