Chief of Staff

District Alliance for Safe Housing

Status: Full-time, exempt employee 

Salary: $90,000-$100,000

Reports to: President & CEO 

Location: Washington, DC

Deadline: Best consideration by December 31, 2024. Resume reviews begin immediately

About the District Alliance for Safe Housing 

Founded in 2006, the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) is DC’s largest provider of safe housing and trauma-informed services for survivors experiencing homelessness due to domestic and sexual violence. DASH meets survivors where they are, eliminating barriers to safe housing so that they can rebuild their lives on their own terms. 

DASH supports survivors—individuals, families, and transitioning youth aged 18-24—with options and counseling for housing programs; emergency financial assistance; and emergency housing, transportation, and wraparound services. Once in safe housing, survivors can elect to receive DASH's supportive wraparound counseling and services. DASH’s Safe Housing Programs manage 90 emergency and transitional-to-permanent housing units, including the 42-unit Cornerstone building, owned and operated by DASH.

DASH has grown significantly in recent years, driven by a talented team across programs, administration, external relations, finance, and property management. DASH holds Candid's Gold Seal of Transparency and has been recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the DC region's best nonprofits. To learn more, visit www.dashdc.org. 

Position Overview

The Chief of Staff (CoS) provides executive and strategic support to the office of the President & CEO, managing internal projects and the day-to-day operations of DASH’s Board of Directors. The CoS serves as a key liaison to the Board of Directors, organizes and coordinates Executive outreach and external relations efforts, oversees special projects, and assists with the scheduling of and preparation for private and public meetings, including speaking engagements, fundraising initiatives, donor briefings, and local and federal testimony. 

The CoS is a member of DASH’s highly consultative Executive Team, which regularly assesses opportunities, risks, rewards, and tradeoffs related to programs, partnerships, team culture, and operations. They actively engage with colleagues to provide feedback and inform DASH’s strategic direction. 

Key Responsibilities

The CoS will support the Executive and Senior Leadership Team’s strategic focus, alignment, and effectiveness through planning, execution, and problem-solving. They will conduct organized, focused work; manage multiple projects under tight deadlines; and maintain an openness to changing situations and opportunities. Specific areas of responsibility include:

Executive Support of President & CEO’s Office (40%)

• Support the Executive Team’s annual strategy and workplan mapping, monthly strategy sessions, and quarterly sessions with other organizational departments and teams.
• Track and maintain focus on key outcomes, including planning and implementing short and longer-term priorities for the CEO and Executive Team.
• Develop and manage processes to learn from and improve the Executive Team’s work.
• Provide strategic support in planning, executing, and driving the success of the CEO’s priority areas of program work. This includes developing and managing effective systems and processes to drive the tactical implementation of the CEO’s vision across key initiatives, ensuring and supporting the delivery of high-quality products and assets.
• Organize and strategically prioritize the CEO’s calendar and manage administrative logistics for meetings and travel arrangements.
• Coordinate meetings, including preparing and distributing meeting materials, reserving and preparing facilities, attending, and recording and transcribing meeting minutes as needed.
• Prepare the CEO for upcoming meetings by ensuring they have all the information necessary to be productive and engaged.
• Research, prepare, and draft talking points, reports, memos, pitch decks, speeches, and presentations for the CEO.
• Work with the Development & Communications team to coordinate the CEO’s internal and external messaging, outreach activities, or written materials to be delivered by the CEO.
• Partner with the Deputy Chief & CFO, Senior Development & Communications Officer, and the Development & Communications team regarding fundraising initiatives.
• Complete expense reports and process invoices.

Organizational Leadership and Strategy Support (40%) 

• Support the CEO and Deputy Chief & CFO in DASH’s strategic planning and visioning process. Act as a project manager and ensure alignment with the CEO, Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, and staff.
• Refine and maintain effective internal communication and workflow processes, systems, and norms of the Executive Team to ensure that the appropriate staff members have information. Serve as a bridge to ensure there are clear ways of providing feedback into organizational decisions, and work is managed and executed transparently.
• Support the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams in adapting to changing conditions; innovate and strengthen the organization’s strategic roadmap, including monitoring and developing a point of view on the implications of industry trends and other factors.
• Participate in organizational-level strategic planning, annual audits, and program innovation.
• Foster DASH’s efforts to build and embody an anti-racist, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture where all staff feel a sense of belonging and alignment with the mission, vision, values, and purpose.
• Support the CEO and Executive Team in reinforcing an inclusive culture of care, transparency, trust, collaboration, and fun – where all DASH employees feel welcomed, appreciated, and have equal access to opportunity.
• Support the CEO, Deputy Chief & CFO, and the Development & Communications team in promoting a culture of philanthropy across all organization departments.

Board of Directors Support (20%) 

• Manage Board calendar, actions, and meetings, including compiling and distributing agendas and board materials and acting as the recording secretary. 
• Maintain the Board of Directors information portal and board acknowledgments.
• Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to manage and coordinate Board development.
• Liaise with the Deputy Chief & CFO regarding budget management of the Executive Office and Board.

Other duties as assigned or required.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

The CoS position will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity that requires a diverse set of skills and experiences. While we understand that no single candidate can possess every qualification listed below, the following are priority areas:

• A minimum of five years of related experience, or a combination of professional experience and a graduate degree (e.g., master’s degree with two to four years of experience). 
• A bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in public policy, public administration, nonprofit studies, or a related field is required, with relevant experience substituting for education. Master’s degree preferred but not required. 
• Experience and demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with a Board of Directors and a management team of senior professionals.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills with attention to detail, ability to analyze data, see trends, and make data-driven recommendations and decisions. 
• Experience with strategic planning; ability to input into plans, work streams, and tactics. 
• Proven ability to organize and prioritize tasks effectively and manage multiple projects simultaneously with accuracy and efficiency.
• Experience in change management, including building consensus, making tough decisions, and ensuring clarity about organizational goals and performance expectations.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, people-centered, results-driven, and fast-paced environment that requires flexibility, collaboration, and creative thinking.
• Comfort addressing conflict, diffusing disagreement, and supporting team communication.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Proven capacity to respond sensitively and thoughtfully to individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, encompassing a range of values, attitudes, and languages.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills. Previous success in growing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence, including funders, partners, and volunteers.
• Experience in systems change and social justice movements, particularly gender-based violence movements. Experience in domestic violence service or housing/homeless services preferred, particularly previous experience working with, and compassion for, survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
• Proficiency in project management tools (Monday.com, Trello, Asana), Microsoft Office Suite, and internet browsers.

Compensation & Benefits

DASH offers a competitive salary in the range of $90,000-$100,000. Employees have access to 90% employer-paid insurance for health, dental, and vision, short- and long-term disability and life; a minimum of 20 days of paid leave, 15 holidays, a weeklong winter holiday; and a 3% DASH non-elective contribution retirement plan.

Application Process

DASH has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct this search. Interested applicants should submit a resume and a detailed cover letter that describes their interest in and qualifications for this role. Upload application materials at www.good-insight.org/careers. Direct confidential inquiries to Kate Dykgraaf and Erin Lau at DASH@good-insight.org.

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by December 31, 2024. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Location 

DASH is located in Washington, D.C. The CoS position operates on a hybrid schedule that requires a location in the D.C. region to support team meetings. 

Physical Demands

This role includes prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and may occasionally be called upon to perform a variety of physical tasks, such as pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 25 pounds unassisted. Contact DASH@good-insight.org to request reasonable accommodations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DASH is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community. DASH bases employment decisions on each person’s performance, qualifications, and abilities. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or characteristics protected by the District of Columbia and federal law. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply.

All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory proof of eligibility to work in the United States. A background investigation, credit check, and drug test are required for this role. A record of complete vaccination against COVID-19 is required; exceptions may be granted in limited circumstances for medical or religious reasons.