Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO COO and executive team supporting the execution of NGNRIs scientific operational and organizational priorities. As a core member of the leadership team this role will translate strategy into action ensuring alignment accountability and momentum across the institute.

The successful candidate will be an analytical highly adaptable leader with experience in complex fast-paced environments. They will drive cross-functional coordination manage high-priority initiatives and support executive decision-making. The role will also oversee preparation of Board materials facilitate internal communication and support effective engagement with external stakeholders.

During NGNRIs initial ramp-up phase the Chief of Staff will additionally serve as Chief People Officer helping to shape the organizations culture establish an environment where staff can thrive and contribute to high-level strategy for recruitment and HR.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring sound judgment discretion and the ability to operate effectively across both scientific and operational domains with a consistent focus on advancing NGNRIs mission.

About the role

• Partner with the CEO COO and NGNRI executive team to drive strategic planning priority setting and execution of NGNRIs mission

• Track and ensure progress on key initiatives goals and deliverables across scientific and operational teams

• Facilitate cross-functional coordination between research operations and external partners (including MSU HFH and the Gilbert Family Foundation)

• Prepare briefing materials reports and presentations for the CEO Board and key stakeholders

• Support the planning and execution of Board meetings advisory forums and executive-level engagements

• Serve as a liaison on behalf of the CEO to internal teams and external partners ensuring alignment and effective communication

• Lead or support special projects and strategic initiatives as directed by the CEO

• Identify and address organizational inefficiencies recommending and implementing process improvements

• Assist in developing and maintaining organizational structures workflows and governance processes

• Support executive decision-making through analysis synthesis of information and scenario planning

• Help foster a culture of accountability collaboration and high performance across NGNRI

• Ensure sensitive matters are handled with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism

About you

• High level of integrity discretion and professionalism

• Strategic thinker with strong execution focus

• Adaptable resourceful and solutions-oriented

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders

• Calm under pressure and capable of managing competing priorities

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability

• Collaborative and team-oriented with the ability to influence without authority

• Committed to advancing NGNRIs mission and values

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a strategy operations consulting or leadership role preferably in a scientific healthcare academic or nonprofit environment

• Proven ability to manage complex cross-functional initiatives and drive execution

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including preparation of executive level materials

• High level of organizational capability and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a dynamic environment

• Experience supporting senior executives or working closely with leadership teams

• Familiarity with research environments biomedical organizations or translational science is an asset

• Experience with governance board relations or stakeholder engagement is a plus

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree (e.g. MBA MPA MSc or related field) preferred

What youll get

Our team members fuel our strategy innovation and growth so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you but your family too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: Weve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH) NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platformsincluding organoid and stem cell models AI-driven analysis FACS and CRISPR technologiesand provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists creating a dynamic mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroits rapidly growing medical research campus NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race color religion national origin sex physical or mental disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression age military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team at .