Nonprofit Chief of Staff

Position: Part-Time Chief of Staff

Hours: 20 hours per week

Compensation: $37,500

Location: Western Queens, NY

About Us:

Connected Chef is a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to creating equitable access to fresh, healthy food for all. Through our Lifeline Box program, farm stands, and partnerships, we connect local food systems with the communities that need them most—always centering dignity, equity, and sustainability.

Position Overview:

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner and operational leader working alongside the Executive Director to advance the mission of a community-based nonprofit organization. This role is designed for a highly capable nonprofit professional who can manage day-to-day organizational systems, anticipate challenges, and independently drive solutions—freeing the Executive Director to focus on vision, external relations, fundraising, and high-impact leadership.

The Chief of Staff operates as an extension of the Executive Director, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution across operations, human resources, development support, and internal communications.

·       Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director, helping translate vision and strategy into actionable plans

·       Anticipate organizational needs, identify challenges, and propose solutions with minimal direction

·       Manage cross-functional priorities and ensure alignment across staff, leadership, and board-related work

·       Represent the Executive Director internally and externally as appropriate

·       Oversee and strengthen internal operational systems, policies, and workflows

·       Manage internal documentation, contracts, vendor relationships, and compliance processes

·       Ensure organizational systems support efficiency, accountability, and sustainability

·       Lead special projects and organizational initiatives from planning through implementation

·       Support HR functions including onboarding, offboarding, personnel file management, and policy implementation

·       Coordinate performance review processes and staff documentation

·       Support a healthy, equitable, and values-aligned workplace culture

·       Serve as a resource to staff on internal processes and organizational policies

·       Support grant management processes including tracking contracts, compliance requirements, and reporting deadlines

·       Assist in drafting, compiling, and submitting grant reports and funder communications

·       Maintain organized systems for development records and reporting materials

·       Coordinate with development staff, consultants, and funders to ensure timely follow-through

·       Manage the Executive Director’s calendar, inbox, and meeting priorities with a strategic lens

·       Draft and triage correspondence, ensuring timely responses and appropriate follow-up

·       Prepare agendas, briefing materials, summaries, and action items for meetings

·       Protect the Executive Director’s time by managing priorities and reducing administrative load

·       2 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, development, or management roles

·       Demonstrated experience working closely with executive leadership or serving in a senior operations role

·       Strong understanding of nonprofit operations, grant management, and funder compliance

·       Experience supporting HR or people operations functions

·       Project management skills and experience in setting up and maintaining operational systems via a project management tool like ClickUp or Asana

·       Proven ability to lead projects independently and manage competing priorities

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·       High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism

·       Strategic and systems-oriented thinker

·       Proactive, solution-driven, and highly organized

·       Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

·       Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change

·       Deep commitment to equity, community-centered work, and nonprofit values

The Chief of Staff is a senior role within the organization and a key member of the leadership team. This position requires initiative, accountability, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining strong alignment with the Executive Director and organizational mission. A successful Chief of Staff will be able to onboard within a 2 month window where they will get acclimated with the organization's flow, understand the team dynamic and work with the Executive Director to train on existing systems. After the 2 month onboarding window, the CoS will work independently through the weekly tasks and goals identified during the onboarding period, all of which will be in alignment with above needs and experience in this job description. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the role to Kim@theconnectedchef.org.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Connected Chef is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Candidates from all backgrounds, especially BIPOC, LGBTQIA , and those rooted in Queens, are strongly encouraged to apply.