Chief of Staff

Overview

As outlined in the St. Louis ECE Implementation Plan, the Alliance has been designated as the local captain responsible for stewarding pilot implementation. Our work focuses on ensuring that more children can access quality care, that families have the support they need to thrive, and that early educators are valued and supported as a critical part of the community.

The Chief of Staff will serve as a key strategic and operational leader, helping translate organizational goals into action, strengthening day-to-day systems, and ensuring internal alignment supports the Alliance’s partnerships and impact. Working closely with the Executive Director, this role will both drive internal execution and help connect strategy, operations, and external engagement to advance the Alliance’s mission.

• Serve as the Executive Director’s primary partner in translating vision into clear organizational priorities, goals, and work plans.
• Track progress on organizational goals and ensure decisions and action items move forward on time.
• Strengthen collaboration across the team to ensure consistent alignment and communication.
• Provide leadership on infrastructure and operational growth, initiative scaling, and community engagement strategies to enhance The Alliance’s capacity and effectiveness.

• Work with the Executive Director to manage the operational launch of the organization’s 501(c)3.
• Design and refine systems, policies, and routines that improve day-to-day operations and support organizational growth.
• Oversee core internal functions, including planning, project management, and information flow.
• Coordinate with finance, HR, and operations partners to ensure efficient and compliant internal practices.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and support staff to operate at their best.
• Lead development of organizational policies and procedures.
• Develop and oversee a system for measuring outcomes and tracking progress aligned with the goals of the organization.

• Partner with the Executive Director to operationalize the organization’s fundraising and partnership strategies.
• Ensure the team has strong internal systems for prospect tracking, proposal development, and funder reporting.
• Support external engagement by developing materials and tracking follow-up with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Help connect fundraising and communications efforts to broader organizational goals.

• Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision-making to help the organization run smoothly.
• Foster a culture of transparency, equity, and high performance across a small, fast-moving team.
• Coach and support staff to build capacity and strengthen internal leadership.

• Support board operations, including materials preparation, follow-up, and committee coordination.
• Represent the Executive Director and the organization as needed with partners and funders.
• Management and thought partnership on the Executive Director’s schedule.

• 10 or more years of experience in operations, strategy, or organizational leadership.
• Proven record of building systems and managing complex initiatives in a small or growing organization.
• Exceptional project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Deep commitment to equity, early childhood education, and community-driven change.
• Familiarity with early childhood education, non-profit organizations, and regional economic development is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, Executive Director and external partners.
• Politically savvy; attuned to the complexities of local landscape intricacies and able to navigate sensitivity.
• Respected reputation for effectiveness and sound judgement in their professional community and broader network.
• Shares the core value that the highest need communities should receive the most benefit.
• Experience as a Chief of Staff, COO, or senior operations leader strongly preferred.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.

Start Date:

March 2026

Salary: $90,000 – $100,000 annually

Benefits:
Health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; professional development support

Travel:
Must have access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel locally

Reporting To:
Executive Director, Chief of Staff

Final date to receive applications:
February 27, 2026

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and references to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).