Chief of Staff

About KIND 

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. 

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Chief of Staff works closely with the senior leadership team (SLT). They drive strategy at the organizational level, ensuring that KIND’s strategic plan delivers on our mission, addresses our most pressing priorities, and maximizes our organizational impact. This Chief of Staff is a champion for innovation and operational excellence. They fully leverage their relationships, acting as trusted advisor to the President and leaders, and a pragmatic connector between leadership and staff. They role model collaboration, have a natural ability to engage with people at all levels, and actively bring together all stakeholders.

• Driver of Organizational Strategy
• Maintains a strategic overview of the organization’s landscape, priorities, and challenges.
• Identifies and drives the response to new programmatic and operational priorities, in collaboration with the President and SLT.
• Helps to identify the right organizational structure and practices that best enable KIND’s overarching mission.

• Collaborator and Connector
• Brings together key stakeholders, fostering cross-departmental collaboration and promoting a unified team approach.
• Facilitates thoughtful consideration of different perspectives to arrive at practical, well-informed solutions.
• Serves as a liaison between the organization, SLT and the President, ensuring timely information and feedback flow in all directions.
• Collaborates closely with the Communications Office to ensure clear, effective messaging for both internal and external audiences.
• Ensures organization-wide understanding, alignment, and follow-through with regards to organizational initiatives.

• Trusted Advisor
• Serves as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the President and SLT, providing objective guidance and helping them navigate complex issues.
• Approaches discussions with impartiality and candor, prioritizing the organization's needs over personal agendas.
• Uses a combination of their gravitas and approachability to help people work through matters, thinking about a situation from all angles, to find the best path forward.

• Innovator and Thought Leader
• Proactively challenges conventional perspectives by posing critical, thought-provoking questions that drive valuable insights.
• Encourages strategic thinking and innovation within the SLT, fostering a culture of forward-thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Improves current processes and coordinates organizational procedures for optimized efficiency and productivity in collaboration with senior leadership. 

• Project Manager
• Oversees assigned strategic projects, from development through to successful execution, in collaboration with other SLT members.
• Takes a strategic approach to project execution, overseeing resource allocation and coordinating team efforts to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives.

• Coordinator
• Optimizes the use of SLT and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) meeting time and follows up on action items.
• Maintains regular communication and consultation with the Board of Directors and Advisory Committees, as required, to keep them informed and engaged.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in business management.
• A track record across a number of leadership roles across different parts of an organization.
• Advanced degree in Law, Business Administration or another relevant field preferred.
• Strong experience of either setting and leading strategy through in-house leadership roles or in a consulting capacity.
• Nimble business mind with a focus on continuous improvement, and on developing innovative solutions.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels to successfully deliver projects and programs.
• Extensive experience in planning, leading, and executing strategic initiatives. 
• Excellent prior experience of managing multiple competing priorities in a busy senior role.
• Prior exposure to working with boards, donors and other senior external stakeholders.
• Proven experience in organizing and directing cross-functional teams. 
• Proficient in data analysis and budget management. 
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.  
• Commitment to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).

Our Benefits

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision. 

- Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.  

- Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.  

- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.  

- Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.  

For a complete list of benefits, please click here. 

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities. 

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.  

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.