Chief of Staff

At MidPen, we build communities that change lives. Since 1970, we have been committed to our mission: to provide safe, affordable housing of high quality to those in need; establish stability and opportunity in the lives of residents; and foster diverse communities that allow people from all ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds to live in dignity, harmony, and mutual respect.

We develop affordable housing, provide professional property management for all our communities, and coordinate robust onsite support programs that help residents thrive. We are active in 12 Northern California counties and have earned recognition as one of the nation’s leading non-profit developers and stewards of affordable housing. Our current portfolio of more than 130 properties is home to 20,000 working families, seniors, and people with special needs. We take pride in delivering affordable housing solutions, and we invite you to join us on a journey toward social, economic, and racial equity.

ABOUT RESIDENT SERVICES

The Resident Services team is responsible for bringing essential support services to our residents. Our three areas – Family Services, Senior Services, and Health and Supportive Housing – build relationships with our residents by engaging, connecting, and providing services to help them maintain stable housing and achieve self-sufficiency. Our programming emphasizes long-term financial and physical health and mobility and spans financial workshops, ESL classes, senior wellness activities like Bingocize (BINGO and exercise), after-school programs, and a six-week summer program for young residents. The Services team is also instrumental in ensuring food security through onsite food distributions in partnership with local organizations. Rooted in our ICARE values (Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence), and our Guiding Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Resident Services also works closely with our residents and community partners, and their fellow MidPenners — including close collaboration with our Property Management team.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Resident Services. With 100+ staff across 11 counties and the support of myriad nonprofit partners, MidPen Resident Services exists to enable our 22,000 residents to reach their goals in education, health, and economic mobility. Resident Services has grown considerably in the past few years and adopted an ambitious new five-year strategic plan which will guide our work going forward.

The Chief of Staff is a role on the leadership team meant to enable departmental effectiveness and help advance the mission and strategic objectives of the MidPen Resident Services team. The role centralizes responsibility for leadership team operations, serves as a key advisor to the SVP of Resident Services, and manages Resident Services initiatives while ensuring effective coordination across various divisions. The Chief of Staff also works to foster an inclusive and equitable environment that supports the diverse needs of our residents and staff.

This role manages oversight of the Services Investment Fund, a ~$10M, a multi-year fund focused on deepening MidPen’s investments in residents through matching funds, demonstration projects, research and development and investments in high-potential partners.

The ideal candidate will thrive in balancing the urgent with the critical as priorities shift and will excel at managing through influence to ensure others have what they need to succeed. They will find deep satisfaction in overseeing a broad portfolio of projects and responsibilities while consistently seeking ways to work smarter and improve processes. As a servant leader, they will prioritize residents, staff, and partners, placing them at the center of the decision-making process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Establish and sustain systems and protocols to create an operational rhythm for the division, encompassing goal setting, KPI development and tracking, set calendars for recurring processes to minimize unexpected requests, and decision-making processes.
2. Provide support in balancing and rebalancing priorities on a week-to-week basis.
3. Manage the resident services leadership team to outcomes including goal setting, tracking, and decision-making.
4. Oversee agenda creation and facilitation for key departmental meetings.
5. Support HR and Talent needs in ensuring proper staffing, onboarding, compliance, and licensing; collaborate to delegate and project manage one-time and special data requests from other divisions; promote DEIB principles in HR practices, supporting an inclusive recruitment process and equitable opportunities for all employees.
6. Serve as a coach and thought partner to SVP of RS (and staff) around improving administrative processes and tools, promoting an equity-centered, resident-first departmental culture.
7. Oversight of the Services Investment Fund: proposal development and maintenance of proposal review process, ensure that work is well chartered with clear work plans and allocation of responsibilities, identify opportunities to bring on more resources.
8. Support division budget planning ensuring budget requests align with strategic priorities.
9. Assist in managing monthly budget-to-actual and forecasting reviews with the accounting team.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in administration, social work, or business concentration preferred.
2. Minimum five (5) years of experience in program design, development, and implementation in a social services or similar environment.
3. Extensive experience in roles with a broad scope, requiring influence-based management and strong upward and lateral collaboration.
4. Experience designing, building, and improving operational and administrative processes.
5. Experience with strategic planning, goal setting, and reporting.
6. Experience managing large budgets and working closely with accounting and finance partners.
7. Several years of experience directly managing or supervising staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Demonstrated track record of overseeing complex, large-scale projects with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
2. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills supported by an awareness of when new information and fresh perspectives are required.
3. Solid judgment and discretion and excellent problem-solving and prioritization skills.
4. Inclusive and clear communicator with an orientation towards transparency and inclusivity, committed to fostering an equitable environment.
5. Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, proof of current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
6. Commitment to the Mission and Values of MidPen Services and MidPen Housing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
2. Frequently sitting.
3. Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 15 pounds.
4. Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MidPen Housing Corp. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, MidPen Housing Corp. will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job. MidPen believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.