Chief of Staff

newyork-public-radio; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Public Radio (NYPR) seeks a Chief of Staff to partner with the CEO, align organizational priorities, and drive strategic initiatives across the enterprise. The role requires a senior strategic leader with exceptional judgment, political savvy, and superior communication skills.

The Chief of Staff will work closely with the executive team, Board of Directors, and donors, ensuring disciplined execution and strong organizational alignment. Prior people-management experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as a senior strategic leader and trusted advisor.
• Exceptional judgment and political/organizational savvy.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and coordinate board relations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to the CEO on strategic and governance matters.
• Anticipate issues and risks, provide analysis for decision‑making.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment and enterprise‑wide initiatives.
• Prepare briefing materials and recommendations for executive discussions.
• Coordinate board relations and governance initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

The Company

WHO WE ARE

When WNYC's signal first hit the AM airwaves in July 1924, it carried the visionary words of founder Grover Whalen: "It gives me great pleasure to launch this, the voice of New York."

Over 100 years later, our mission remains the same: to create a free and accessible public forum for our city, and lift up the voices and stories of all who call it home. Today, we are New York Public Radio (NYPR), a listener-supported, nonprofit, multi-platform media organization, serving audiences in NYC and beyond.

As home to WNYC, WQXR, Gothamist, WNYC Studios, New Jersey Public Radio, and The Greene Space, NYPR produces innovative, critically acclaimed public service journalism and programming for local and national broadcast, streaming, and live audiences. We convene civic conversations and make the joy of classical music accessible to all. We are driven by the spirit of the city, rooted in service to the New York region, and committed to fostering a vibrant global community.

As independent, listener-supported public media, our work is powered by the support of our generous members, donors, and sponsors.

Our Mission

To make the mind more curious, the heart more open and the spirit more joyful through excellent audio programming that is deeply rooted in New York.

Our Values

• Listen deeply and embrace all voices.
• Push the boundaries of what is possible.
• Explain the why.
• Embrace equity.
• Build trust through positive collaboration.
• Be accountable, expect excellence and celebrate.

The Opportunity

Position: Chief of Staff
Location: New York, NY
Reporting Relationship: Chief Executive Officer
Website: https://nypublicradio.org/

Opportunity

This is a rare and compelling opportunity to work at the center of one of the nation's most influential public media organizations, partnering closely with the CEO to help shape NYPR's next chapter and strengthen its impact at a pivotal moment for journalism, culture, and civic life.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic partner, trusted advisor, and force multiplier, helping translate organizational priorities into coordinated action across the enterprise. Working closely with the executive leadership team, Board of Directors, and key stakeholders, the Chief of Staff will help ensure alignment around strategic priorities, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and support effective decision-making in an increasingly complex environment.

NYPR is at an important point in its evolution, with a renewed leadership team, ongoing organizational transformation, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for public media. The Chief of Staff will help translate priorities into coordinated action, strengthen communication and alignment, and advance strategic initiatives that support long‑term impact.

Position Summary

The Chief of Staff serves as a senior strategic leader and trusted advisor to the CEO, helping manage enterprise priorities, strengthen organizational alignment, enhance executive effectiveness, and coordinate initiatives that span multiple functions and stakeholders.

The role requires a highly collaborative and influential leader who can operate effectively in a dynamic and mission‑driven environment. The successful candidate will possess exceptional judgment, political and organizational savvy, superior communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization. They will be equally comfortable engaging with senior executives, board members, donors, external partners, and staff while maintaining discretion and credibility, and will support fundraising initiatives that advance NYPR's mission and long‑term sustainability.

The successful candidate must also bring demonstrated prior people‑management experience and the ability to lead, coach, and develop staff effectively. The Chief of Staff will directly supervise the Director of Board Relations and will be responsible for providing clear direction, setting expectations, supporting professional development, and ensuring strong coordination between Board‑related activities and broader executive priorities.

The Chief of Staff will serve as connective tissue across the enterprise, ensuring that priorities are aligned, decisions are well informed, and execution remains disciplined.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership to the CEO

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO on strategic, operational, organizational, and governance matters.
• Help identify, prioritize, and advance critical initiatives that support organizational goals and mission impact.
• Anticipate emerging issues, opportunities, and risks, providing analysis and recommendations to support decision‑making.
• Facilitate decision‑making by gathering input, synthesizing perspectives, and helping drive consensus among stakeholders.
• Support executive communications, presentations, messaging, and leadership engagement activities.

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Execution

• Drive alignment across the executive leadership team and key organizational functions.
• Coordinate enterprise‑wide initiatives that require collaboration across departments and stakeholder groups.
• Monitor progress toward strategic priorities and ensure appropriate accountability mechanisms are in place.
• Facilitate planning, implementation, and follow‑through on major organizational initiatives.
• Help remove barriers to execution and resolve cross‑functional challenges.

Executive Operations and Leadership Effectiveness

• Manage and coordinate matters requiring CEO attention, helping ensure focus on the highest‑value priorities.
• Help establish effective processes for leadership meetings, decision forums, and organizational communication.
• Prepare briefing materials, strategic analyses, and recommendations for executive discussions.
• Support the CEO in managing competing priorities and stakeholder needs.
• Enhance organizational communication, information flow, and operational coordination.

Governance and Board Partnership

• Partner closely with the CEO, Board Liaison, Board Chair, and Board leadership on governance‑related matters.
• Support the preparation of board materials, strategic discussions, and governance initiatives.
• Ass…