Public Citizen

Chief of Staff

President's Office - Washington, DC - Full Time

Public Citizen is seeking a high-energy, creative, strategically savvy, hard-working, passionate person to serve as our Chief of Staff.

Public Citizen campaigns on an extraordinarily broad set of issues – money in politics, Medicare for All, global trade, the climate crisis, access to courts, Wall Street reform, affordable and safe medicines, worker and consumer health and safety, and much, much more.

Public Citizen has experienced a strong period of growth and campaign success as the direct result of increased efficiency and productivity. To continue this trajectory, we’re searching for a highly qualified chief of staff to work closely with our leadership team. From Day 1, this person will have an immediate impact on our productivity by streamlining strategic initiatives, overseeing program management, and communicating objectives to departments. The ideal candidate will have proven success in a nonprofit management role, with a special focus on project management, executive-level advising, and interdepartmental collaboration.  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The Chief of Staff will work with the President and Executive Vice President to chart the course of the organization. They will help to implement cross cutting internal systems and initiatives, take on special external projects, work to facilitate successful administration, and help the executive team implement the organizational vision, establish long-term goals for elevating the organization’s profile, and more.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Improve current processes and optimize organizational procedures for efficiency and productivity.
  • Serve as liaison with staff, executives, senior leaders, and the President and Executive Vice President regarding organization climate, employee well-being, project updates, proposals, and planning.
  • Oversee daily operations in collaboration with senior managers and department leaders.
  • Plan and coordinate annual meetings, trainings and conference series, and cross cutting organizational improvements.
  • Work with HR and our building managers to ensure smooth management of our facilities.
  • Develop and build relationships with all employees for increased efficiency and responsiveness of existing operations.
  • Help define new operational strategies by working with leadership on special projects.
  • Assist and communicate with leadership in decision-making, program management, and initiative implementation.
  • Work to ensure our organization wide-systems for engaging with the website and other shared spaces are smooth and clear.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degrees are preferred. We seek someone with at least 10 years in nonprofit advocacy and at least 5 years of management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.

Knowledge and Skills

We seek someone with:

  • A passion for the issues Public Citizen works on and a working knowledge of them;
  • The ability to think proactively and creatively,
  • Superb attention to detail;
  • Experience in organizing and directing multiple teams and departments,
  • Experience in planning and leading strategic initiatives,
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Versatile abilities and extreme dedication to efficient productivity,
  • A thorough grasp of the political process and advocacy world.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:   We offer a competitive salary and great benefits which include:

  • Great medical and dental coverage, including full coverage for children
  • Three weeks paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
  • 401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
  • Sabbatical after 10 years of employment
  • Student loan reimbursement program

TO APPLY:  Send a cover letter and resume to Robert Weissman, co-president, [email protected]. Make sure to include “chief of staff” in the subject line.

Public Citizen is a 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) non-profit organization.  Public Citizen employees who work for the 501 (c)(4)  are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.   Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a non-smoking workplace.  Visit our website at www.citizen.org/.

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