Chief of Staff

Sherwood Autism Center•Kansas City, MO

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief of Staff serves as the CEO’s principal operational and strategic partner, responsible for translating organizational strategy into execution across all administrative and operational functions. The Chief of Staff serves as a trusted advisor, systems-level problem solver, and liaison to staff, families, Board of Directors, funders, and community partners. This position drives organizational alignment, supports performance improvement efforts, and enhances the CEO’s capacity to focus on strategy, growth, and stakeholder engagement. In addition, the Chief of Staff provides enterprise-wide executive oversight of Operations, Compliance, Facilities, Information Technology, and Human Resources, ensuring operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and organizational effectiveness. Acting with delegated authority from the CEO, this role functions as the organization’s central operational integrator, aligning people, systems, and infrastructure to support mission delivery and long-term sustainability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Human Resources, Education, or related field
5+ years progressive leadership experience, including enterprise-level operational oversight
Demonstrated experience managing people, systems, and infrastructure in a regulated environment
Strong understanding of compliance, risk management, and organizational governance
Excellent project management, communication, and analytical skills

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education, MBA, MPA, or Organizational Leadership
Experience in autism services, education, healthcare, or similarly regulated sectors
Experience supporting CEOs and Boards of Directors

Responsibilities

Serve as the CEO’s chief operational advisor and execution lead across all non-programmatic functions
Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, timelines, and accountability structures
Ensure alignment and coordination across administrative, educational, clinical, and support functions
Act with delegated authority to resolve cross-functional issues and remove operational barriers
Provide executive oversight of organizational compliance with CARF, DESE, DMH, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation bodies
Ensure organization-wide readiness for audits, site visits, licensure reviews, and accreditation surveys
Coordinate cross-functional compliance efforts across programs, Human Resources, Facilities, and Information Technology
Monitor regulatory changes and translate requirements into operational policies, procedures, and internal controls
Oversee enterprise risk management, incident response coordination, and corrective action planning
Provide executive oversight of facilities operations, including maintenance, safety, accessibility, space utilization, and vendor management
Ensure compliance with OSHA, ADA, fire code, and local safety requirements
Lead emergency preparedness planning related to physical environments
Oversee facilities planning for renovations, expansions, and capital improvement projects
Provide executive oversight of organizational technology systems and infrastructure
Ensure cybersecurity, data privacy, system reliability, and regulatory compliance
Guide technology strategy, system improvements, and process automation initiatives
Coordinate staff access, training, and vendor-managed IT services
Provide executive-level oversight of all Human Resources functions, including compliance, employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and internal policies
Support compensation strategy, leadership development, succession planning, and organizational design
Serve as the executive escalation point for complex or sensitive HR matters
Lead organization-wide initiatives related to operational improvement, accreditation readiness, and infrastructure development
Strengthening workflows, documentation, and internal systems to improve consistency, accountability, and scalability
Monitor organizational performance and proactively escalate risks or barriers
Support preparation of Board agendas, packets, dashboards, and follow-up actions
Coordinate cross-functional reporting for funders, auditors, and external stakeholders
Support partnerships, grants, and external relationships as directed by the CEO
Model Sherwood values of inclusion, safety, dignity, and person-centered service
Promote accountability, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making
Support initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, retention, and organizational health