Job Description
The Opportunity
As the Chief of Staff for the Global Development Group (GDG), you will be in a key role enabling the group to work most effectively with internal and external stakeholders. You will work as an integrator, connecting work streams to avoid siloes; as a communicator linking the leadership team and the broader organization; and as an adviser and confidant, often handling discreet or confidential information, supporting members of the GDG leadership to make decisions on sensitive topics while considering the needs of the entire organization.
The Chief of Staff is responsible for supporting the administration, governance and strategic projects of the GDG. You will engage with divisions and departments to support group operations, delivery excellence, and growth.
Core Responsibilities
Governance and Administration
- Interprets, and administers policies, processes, and procedures at the Group level.
- On behalf of the Group, support operational changes and reforms organizational change planning, and execution.
- Responsible for Group governance including building a cadence of quarterly, monthly, and weekly meetings for the CGDO, GDG leadership team, and USAID+ account to optimize for efficiency and effectiveness.
- Track annual goals for GDG, Delivery and CE&G teams, as well as progress of key initiatives, and any agreed-upon shifts in strategy or direction.
- Coordinate leadership team annual retreats and events.
- In partnership with the Corporate Operations Business Partner, conduct business analyses on operational issues as they relate to the Group to permit data-driven decision. making/influencing, process identification and improvement.
- Implement process efficiencies across the Group to drive excellence in GDG performance.
- Lead on GDG preparation for Quarterly Business Reviews.
- Project manage creation of board meeting materials.
Business Growth
- Works closely with leaders and business partners in the Growth Office to plan and execute strategies to accelerate growth for the USAID+ Client Engagement and Growth team.
- Supports leadership to design and implement annual client-level Account Planning, client-level priority lists, and resource planning, in collaboration with Portfolio Vice Presidents and Business Development Partners.
Project Delivery Excellence
- In support of the Vice President, GDG Delivery Practice and in collaboration with the Management Partners, design, implement and refine business processes and practices to ensure project delivery excellence and achievement of revenue targets across delivery teams.
- Partners with Delivery VPs and other leaders to design and execute strategic initiatives such as improving rapid start-up capabilities and enhancing global workforce engagement.
- Monitor revenue management across Delivery and serve as interlock with CE&G portfolio VPs with P&L responsibilities.
- Serve as Group advocate and liaison with Departments. Work with Departmental Business Partners (Business Development, Finance, HR, Operations, Legal, Contracts) to ensure that Group’s needs are expressed and met.
Internal Communications and HR
- Ensure senior hires are onboarded and integrated into the GDG group understanding GDG processes and policies with a special focus on strong work culture.
- As the Group representative, partner with the VP, HR Global Development Group and the HR Business Partner on special projects related to improving the employee experience at Abt, and promoting our Employer Value Proposition.
- In partnership with the Operations and HR Business Partners, contribute to workforce planning initiatives across the Group.
- Manage internal communications and provide oversight to strategic positioning efforts, including conferences and workshops to support account plans.
- Ensure appropriate communication flow across the group and that the right information is disseminated via the most appropriate mediums.
What We Value
- Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to implement large scale operational strategies to increase the overall efficiencies of Abt.
- Experience leading through change and managing ambiguity. Proven skills in anticipating and proactively managing conflict and uncertainty.
- An ability and willingness to independently drive work efforts, resolve issues and effectively manage processes that have tight timelines and a high degree of ambiguity.
- Exceptional communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain authentic business relationships and interact effectively with peers and senior leadership across different functional areas within the company.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Functional Leaders with the ability to negotiate solutions for matrixed teams; drive ownership and accountability across the organization.
- In-depth experience with analytic tools in order to provide reporting for program and portfolio management to senior leadership; Demonstrated experience in workforce management which includes process improvement, utilization management and resource and demand management.
- Exceptional understanding of planning processes (project management, portfolio management, financial planning, etc.) and the symbiotic relationships with resource planning.
- Excellent professional writing skills.
- A cultivated win-win working style that achieves outcomes through collaborative and positive means.
- Strong emotional intelligence, self-motivation, with an even keeled and patient temperament.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $121,000 to $193,000 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
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About Us
Around the world, vulnerable populations face an array of complex problems. At Abt, we’re committed to making fundamental societal change in these disproportionately affected communities. We help wherever we’re needed. Here, you’ll collaborate with an international network of talented colleagues as you design and implement solutions for critical health, climate, economic, and governance issues. In partnership with local and indigenous communities you will help to improve lives and livelihood. All the while having the support and encouragement of leaders who always put your career and wellbeing first. Come make a World of Difference with us.
At Abt Associates, our commitment to creating a more equitable society for populations around the world starts from within. We understand how communities can flourish when people are given the right resources and support, and at Abt we continuously strive to cultivate a culture where there are no barriers to personal and professional fulfilment. Our welcoming and inclusive environment, our stance on employee wellbeing and flexibility, our deliberate approach towards expanding our talent representation, and our Employee Networking Groups are just some of the ways we ensure that everyone at Abt can thrive. With an eye towards continuous improvement, we know there’s always more to be done. And we’re set on doing it.