Join our team and become a part of something bigger – a force for change in the fight against hunger. The Community Foodbank of New Jersey is more than just a food bank – we champion healthier lifestyles and positively impact social and economic change. Together we can create a stronger, more resilient New Jersey for everyone.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Chief of Staff serves as a strategic thought partner to the President & CEO and helps drive alignment, coordination, and execution of CFBNJ’s highest organizational priorities. The Chief of Staff works across functions to translate strategy into action, facilitate executive decision-making, monitor progress against organizational priorities, and lead or support complex cross-functional initiatives. The Chief of Staff also partners with the President & CEO and other key staff to support Board engagement related to strategic and organizational priorities and represents the President & CEO and CFBNJ with external partners and stakeholders, as appropriate.
What you’ll do in your role:
Organizational Support
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Partner with the President & CEO to identify, prioritize, advance, and monitor the organization’s highest strategic and operational priorities.
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Collaborate with ELT on a variety of strategic initiatives.
- Lead or coordinate high-priority, complex, and time-sensitive initiatives on behalf of the President & CEO, particularly those requiring cross-functional collaboration or that do not sit exclusively within one organizational function.
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Support effective alignment and coordination across the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, including facilitating leadership discussions, identifying cross-functional dependencies, and ensuring appropriate follow-through on decisions and priorities.
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Serve as the President and CEO’s ambassador at internal and external meetings, as assigned.
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Partner with the President & CEO and other key staff to support Board engagement and communication related to strategic and organizational priorities.
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Analyze and synthesize organizational, network, community, and external data to identify opportunities, inform strategy, and support executive decision-making.
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Partner and participate with stakeholders across the organization to help drive strategic priorities and initiatives.
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Lead or support cross-functional initiatives that improve the accessibility, equity, quality, and effectiveness of CFBNJ’s services to communities and network partners.
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Partner closely with internal teams including: operations, programs, resource development and advocacy to analyze, design, and develop and improve our relationship with our current and potential network partners.
Strategic Planning
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Lead and coordinate CFBNJ’s strategic planning and strategy execution processes in partnership with the President & CEO and ELT.
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Translate strategic priorities into measurable goals, initiatives, timelines, and accountability.
- Establish processes to monitor progress against organizational priorities and facilitate leadership review of results.
- Partner with initiative owners to identify barriers, resolve cross-functional issues, and maintain progress toward established goals.
- Synthesize organizational data, performance information, and emerging trends to support executive decision-making and strategic planning.
External Affairs
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Collaborate with local, state, and national partner organizations to help set policy priorities.
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Work effectively with NJ-based food banks, Feeding America and other key anti-hunger organizations.
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Create and distribute well written and organized written communication both internally and externally.
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Professionally engage with government officials, board members, food bank network leadership, network agencies and other important stakeholders.
Why you’ll love working at CFBNJ:
- Opportunity for Impact: At CFBNJ, your work drives meaningful changes. Just last year, we provided over 90 million meals and 35 million pounds of fresh produce to our neighbors in need.
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Wellness that Works for You: Rooted in our culture of caring, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, generous sick/personal time off, 14 paid holidays, childcare resources, and organization-wide engagement days for rest and reflection.
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Professional Development: Grow your career through our Learning Lab, with access to workshops, online courses, and book resources. We also offer tuition assistance and certificate reimbursement for job-related training to support continuous growth.
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Recognition and Belonging: We celebrate great work and grow inspiration with Bonusly, our peer-recognition platform, and foster community through employee resource groups to create space to uplift voices and strength connections
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Retirement Planning: Plan confidently for your future in our 401(k) program, including a 4% company match after one year of service.
What you’ll need to be successful in this role:
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, communications, or a related field— or equivalent professional experience.
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At least 10 years of progressive experience in community engagement, public policy, government relations, or advocacy, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
- Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines with professionalism.
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Proven ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Analytical mindset with experience gathering and synthesizing data to support strategy and decision-making.
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High cross-cultural competency and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities.
- Master’s degree or professional certification a plus.
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Experience in anti-hunger advocacy and policy work at the local, state, or federal level is preferred.
- A valid driver’s license with history of a good driving record.
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Ability to travel that may include consecutive overnight stays, and traveling by car, bus, and airplane.
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Occasional evenings and weekends.
Pay Transparency: The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $258,000. The final rate may be influenced by factors such as the position's scope and responsibilities, work experience, training, job-related skills, internal equity, and market conditions.
CFBNJ is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment according to their skills, abilities, and experience. CFBNJ is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, pregnancy or breastfeeding, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, refusal to submit to genetic testing or provide genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait status, being a victim of domestic violence, status in the uniformed services of the United States (including veteran status), record of arrest, or on the basis of displaying the American flag, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
