Chief of Staff (COS)

Chief of Staff (With $5,000 New Hire Payment!)

About NRHA

Founded in 1940, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) provides low-income families in Norfolk, Virginia with safe and well-maintained housing. It also plans and administers large-scale residential redevelopment programs within Norfolk.

NRHA is an award-winning public housing authority that has been exceptionally effective in obtaining private investment partners to fund new neighborhoods; improving low-income public housing; planning and building mixed-income communities; and offering programs that support residents receiving rental assistance on their path to self-sufficiency. NRHA aims to create and apply meaningful housing and neighborhood development programs to serve all residents of Norfolk, Virginia. NRHA looks for people who want to work in a challenging and progressive environment and make a positive difference in the community.

Summary

This position serves as the Chief of Staff to the Executive Director/CEO; is the key liaison for the Executive Director; oversees and manages the agency communications strategy and programs, intergovernmental affairs, community engagement, and grants; interfaces with external stakeholders including representatives from state, local or federal government agencies and/or private sector companies; leads and manages projects; and maintain the status of NRHA in the local and national communities.

Essential Functions

Oversight of, direct and manage communication strategies using pro-active communications and development of relationships across multiple sectors including developing a cooperative relationship with the media and achieving the status as a community leader and expert in housing and development issues. Participating in speaking engagements to promote the image of the Agency. Representing the Agency in leadership roles with housing-related agencies, trade associations, and the community at large.

Acts as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director (ED) and senior management team. Represents ED in meetings, by email, and phone calls with internal and external stakeholders. Assist the ED in understanding, respecting and appreciating the role of the Board of Commissioners and their responsibilities in the governance of the agency and using them as a strategic partner—maintaining transparency, apprising Board members in a timely manner of developments, issues, needs and operations of the Agency to enable collaborating with executive team members to determine and prioritize business strategies.

Assisting the ED’s ability to communicate effectively with and respond to residents, agency team members, and their representatives, instilling a sense of dignity and value for their contributions, input, experiences, and role as contributors to their personal success as well as the success of the agency and the people it serves. Assisting the ED’s ability to work in close relationship with local government officials as well as with the nonprofit, development and for-profit community.

Providing department leaders with recommendations and consultation to improve teamwork. Planning, coordinating, and keeping contents of a meeting focused. Determining key performance indicators and how to measure team performance. Providing tactical support to implement ideas. Working with leadership to deliver, monitor and communicate progress towards goals. Responding to inquiries on behalf of the ED.

Overseeing strategic business initiatives from ideation to implementation. Identifying and helping solve core problems or opportunities within business processes. Providing the ED and other senior leaders with insight and analysis on the company’s operations. Assessing risk when business decisions are made. Providing support and oversight for special projects and initiatives. Planning, coordinating and leading meetings and workshops. Identifying and providing recommendations on improvements across the organization.

Establishes standards and procedures for gathering and reporting on the Agency’s performance information for each goal, assisting the ED in preparing reports for performance periods, hiring and managing the office staff, and personnel for the ED. Maintains accurate confidential files and data records. Manage and lead staff in performance of services and program operations. Provide reporting, manage project budgets, and create policies and procedures for the department operations.

Represents the agency in meetings with community groups. Communicates with the public, including elected officials, regarding agency services and funding. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, business administration or a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience in the fields of public/media relations, communications, or marketing. Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of local and state governmental affairs, and to those with experience in organizations similar to NRHA or a combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to effectively write speeches, position papers, talking points, memos, articles, and annual reports; ability to analyze data and make recommendations, ability to utilizing social media in communications strategies; ability to conduct research and prepare reports as assigned by the Executive Director and his/her designee; thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, laws and regulations pertaining to the publication of information; knowledge of programs and activities relating to urban and community development, public housing, rental assistance, affordable housing, commercial revitalization, and the policies and procedures of NRHA; knowledgeable of project management, business strategies; negotiations and collaborations to achieve results; ability to maintain sensitivity to the confidentiality of matters, maintain a high level of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.

Ability to communicate effectively in all forms of information media with the public, with the Board of Commissioners, with local, state and federal government; and private sector representatives, ability to speak effectively in public to large groups and with the news media; ability to plan, organize and direct various programs and services; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the press and news media, and public and private entities; ability to establish working relationship with City Officials, State, and Federal legislators; ability to write clearly and understandably; ability to work under high pressure and tight deadlines; strong organizational skills, especially in the area of collaborating with agencies on organizing events and announcements.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Willingness, mental and physical ability to perform the duties involved in this classification. Ability to perform work with or without an accommodation that requires sitting, standing, and walking, dexterity of hands and clarity of vision, speech and hearing and powers of observation; other physical duties as required.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The pay offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill mix. NRHA's benefits package includes VRS retirement; medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness; and much more!

This position qualifies for a $5,000 new hire payment, delivered in two installments. Remote work is available per NRHA's flexible work arrangements policy.

Those candidates who are selected for interview will be contacted directly by telephone. All other candidates will receive an email communication after the position is filled.

Want to help others? NRHA is looking for you!

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Housing Authority will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.