Chief of Staff

Job Description

Reporting to the President & CEO the Chief of Staff plays a central role in advancing KUOWs strategic priorities strengthening organizational effectiveness supporting the Board of Directors and leading critical human resources people and culture initiatives. Working across the organization this position helps translate vision into action by coordinating enterprise-wide planning facilitating cross-functional collaboration and ensuring accountability for major initiatives.

The Chief of Staff serves as a key connector among the executive team Board of Directors staff and external stakeholders. Success in this role requires exceptional judgment diplomacy the ability to work with sensitive information project leadership communication skills and the ability to influence and align diverse groups around shared organizational goals. Based out of KUOWs Seattle office this role is suitable/eligible for hybrid/occasional telework.

The successful candidate will:

• Bring a genuine curiosity and appetite for learning with a willingness to deeply immerse themselves in the public media landscape to understand its mission audiences business model challenges and opportunities.
• Help ensure KUOWs strategic plan becomes operational across the organization.
• Build strong partnerships across teams and leadership levels.
• Lead professional development for teams and leadership development across the organization.
• Create clarity accountability and momentum around key organizational priorities.
• Strengthen board engagement and governance effectiveness.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and a respected collaborator across KUOW.
• Drive alignment accountability and execution across teams by building credibility fostering strong relationships and influencing outcomes through expertise judgment and effective communication rather than formal authority.

• Strategic Planning and Organizational Alignment (25%)
  • Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to develop refine and implement KUOWs strategic plan.
  • Establish processes that translate strategic priorities into measurable goals initiatives and organizational outcomes.
  • Lead cross-functional planning efforts and facilitate alignment across departments.
  • Create and manage temporary and ongoing working groups task forces and project teams that advance strategic priorities.
  • Monitor progress toward strategic objectives and provide recommendations to leadership regarding opportunities risks and resource needs.
  • Drive organization-wide initiatives that strengthen collaboration effectiveness and accountability.
• Executive Leadership Partnership (25%)
  • Serve as a thought partner and strategic advisor to the CEO on organizational priorities and emerging issues.
  • Coordinate activities and communications among senior leaders to ensure organizational alignment.
  • Facilitate executive and leadership meetings including agenda development preparation materials decision tracking and follow-through.
  • Manage special projects research and initiatives on behalf of the CEO.
  • Represent the CEO in selected meetings and engagements as appropriate.
  • Support the CEOs engagement priorities with stakeholders community leaders donors public media partners and University of Washington leaders.
  • Represent KUOW in external meetings and community settings as appropriate.
  • Help strengthen relationships that advance KUOWs mission and strategic objectives.
• Human Resources and Organizational Development (25%)
  • Partner with leadership to foster an inclusive collaborative and mission-driven workplace culture.
  • Oversee key human resources processes including recruitment onboarding performance management employee engagement and offboarding.
  • Ensure compliance with KUOW and University of Washington policies and applicable employment regulations.
  • Advise leaders on workforce planning talent development succession planning and organizational effectiveness.
  • Support initiatives that strengthen employee experience retention leadership development and organizational culture.
• Board Relations and Governance (20%)
  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to KUOWs Board of Directors and board committees and own KUOWs board organization software platform OnBoard.
  • Partner with the CEO Board Chair and Governance Committee to support effective board operations.
  • Lead planning and coordination for board meetings retreats committee meetings and board onboarding activities.
  • Prepare board materials presentations and governance documentation.
  • Track and facilitate follow-up on board decisions priorities and action items.
  • Support strong communication and productive relationships between board members leadership and staff.
• Other duties as assigned (5%)
• This position manages 2 employees.

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license certification and/or registration.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Bachelors degree in business public administration communications organizational leadership human resources or related field. Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership strategy operations organizational development human resources or chief-of-staff experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Experience supporting senior executives governing boards or executive leadership teams.
• Exceptional written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong facilitation project management and organizational planning skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment maintain confidentiality and navigate complex organizational dynamics.
• Experience building trust and influencing outcomes without direct authority.

• Experience in nonprofit public media journalism higher education mission-driven or civic organizations.
• Experience supporting a board of directors or governing body.
• Experience and comfort with public speaking.
• Background in strategic planning organizational change management or workforce planning.
• Human resources leadership experience.
• Experience working within a complex stakeholder environment.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience.

• Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work when necessary to meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to travel when necessary to attend station events.
• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Position is suitable/eligible for Hybrid/Occasional Telework.

This recruitment requires a cover letter. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be forwarded to the hiring department.

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattles NPR news station. We are an independent nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.