Chicago Teachers Union-Interim Chief of Staff

Chicago Teachers Union

Interim Chief of Staff-Part Time 

About the Chicago Teachers Union 

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is an organization of educators dedicated to advancing and promoting quality public education, improving teaching and learning conditions, and protecting members’ rights. For more than 75 years the CTU has fought for the schools Chicago’s students deserve. The CTU represents nearly 30,000 teachers, paraprofessional and school-related personnel, and school clinicians working in the Chicago Public Schools and, by extension, the students and families they serve.

Position Title: Interim Chief of Staff  

Duration: February-April 2025 (with the possibility to extend post April to a monthly retainer: This position will be in person at CTU three days per week. 

Location: Chicago Illinois

Reports to: President of the CTU

Salary: $80K plus benefits (prorated salary based on a fulltime salary of $140k)

This opening is a part-time position, 3 days a week; must be able to come to Chicago/in office three times per week
 

The Context

In response to the ever evolving growth and responsiveness of the CTU, the role of a Chief of Staff (COS) has been identified as a key priority to ensure the success of their mission and vision. The current COS is transitioning to a strategic advising role within the organization. CTU is seeking a seasoned interim professional and project manager to create internal systems and practices in support of strengthening day to day operations with attention to cross department collaboration, planning and accountability, increasing alignment across the organization connected to the priorities of elected Officers and the president. The Interim COS will help set the foundation for investing in ongoing organizational development and enable the team to function at the highest levels. This person will also support the CTU to prepare for the permanent COS role. 
 

Position Summary

The Interim COS is an experienced and confident manager of teams with strong organizational skills, an ability to navigate complex organizational issues and responding to multiple priorities in a fast-paced politically sensitive environment. The Interim COS will support the leadership team in bringing forward best practices for ensuring alignment and coordination of internal processes and communications, finding and building synergies, and nurturing a healthy team culture. The Interim COS will also work closely with consultants to ready the CTU for a permanent COS position including supporting a landscape analysis, and developing recommendations for strengthening cross department collaboration, systems of accountability, and professional development. The successful candidate will be an exceptionally resourceful leader with outstanding relationship-building, communication, system-building, and execution skills. This role works closely with, and reports directly to, the President.

Responsibilities

• Assess internal processes in order to define system improvements and develop/implement a 90-day work plan to address organizational development priorities and processes to ensure success for incoming permanent COS.
• Review and refine current work plans, organizational goals and existing departmental proposals. 
• Support the identification of best practices around internal management and organizational development that will support CTU officers and departments in achieving its mission.
• Recommend best practices for: evaluation, accountability, anti-racism culture building, culture of feedback, skill building, clarity of goals, and decision making processes.
• Review and adjust standing meetings to ensure alignment around priorities, clear decision-making processes and decisions, and swift and coordinated management of any internal or external challenges, agenda development and facilitation. 
• Contribute to the development of direct communication process to foster transparency and effective working relationships throughout the interim process.
• Prepare leadership team and CTU for filling the permanent COS role including: supporting the hiring process, working with recruiters and external support resources, providing guidance on permanent COS role and priorities.

Key Qualities and Expertise

• Demonstrated experience overseeing the organizational and operational needs of a fast-growing organization; 
• Previous experience as serving in an interim or contract role;
• Experience as a management consultant, COS, or senior manager within a fast-paced, dynamic organization ;
• Strong people management skills and a demonstrated track record of leading high performance teams;
• Demonstrated experience in nurturing vibrant and collaborative team culture; 
• Strong project management skills; 
• Excellent interpersonal communication and group process/facilitation skills; 
• Outstanding critical thinking and judgment skills; ability to make well-reasoned decisions, quickly when needed, in support of institutional and leadership's priorities;
• Strong relationship builder with a positive attitude and the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration;
• Availability and consideration for round the clock decision making on critical questions;
• Superior time management skills and adept at multitasking while attending to detail in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. Ability to track details and follow up
• Experience with labor movement and unionized leadership and staff preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of the CTU.;Must be able to come to Chicago/in office three times per week.

To Apply:

Please upload a Letter of Interest and a resume. 

Applications are due by January 27. This search is being led by Naomi Roth-Gaudette and Debra J Robbin and NRG Consulting Group. Reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] with any questions.