Chief Of Staff

Location: Kansas City

Who We Are:

We design places where people love to be together.

Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments.

We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground-breaking live music venues. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.

What We Offer:

Professional & Personal Development Programs + Summer Hours + Hybrid Schedule + On-Site Gym + Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams + Wedding Pay + Charitable Match Program + Market Leading Wellness and Welfare Benefits.

Who We Are Looking For:

The Chief of Staff in the Americas region is a key advisor and partner to the Managing Director, focusing on leadership effectiveness, strategic initiatives, and coordination. By building strong relationships with senior leadership, the Chief of Staff enhances the Managing Director's impact through structure, alignment, and execution support, while ensuring department heads maintain direct access to the Managing Director.

What Your Day Could Consist Of:

Executive Liaison & Connector: - Support alignment with the Managing Director’s vision and strategy when interacting with functional and discipline leads. - Act as a strategic connector, ensuring clear and direct engagement with the Managing Director as needed. - Help streamline priorities so the Managing Director can focus on high-impact leadership decisions while remaining accessible to the Americas Core Team (heads of legal, finance, operations, human resources, design, IT, brand strategy, and pursuits).

Strategic Prioritization & Execution: - Partner closely with the Managing Director to translate their vision into actionable initiatives. - Track progress on key initiatives, identify roadblocks, and support functional leaders in executing key priorities without assuming ownership of their responsibilities.

Information Filtering & Decision Support: - Gather, synthesize, and prioritize critical information efficiently to help the Managing Director focus on critical decisions. - Provide insights and analysis to support executive decision-making, ensuring timely attention to the right issues.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Oversight: - Lead and foster collaboration on cross-functional projects, ensuring teams and departments are aligned, progress is tracked, and obstacles are addressed efficiently.

Special Projects: - Oversee proposed special projects as assigned or approved by the Managing Director, including market research, due diligence, and new business development efforts.

Governance & Leadership Support: - Provide critical support to the Managing Director in preparing for and facilitating the Americas Core Team and Americas Regional Board (ARB) meetings. Handle meeting coordination, note-taking, action item tracking, and strategic reporting in the above-mentioned meetings. - Ensure clear follow-up on decisions and initiatives, while official record-keeping/minuting responsibilities remain with the General Counsel-Americas.

Requirements For Success:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to build relationships with key leaders.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) to effectively liaise between the Managing Director and other leaders and staff.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced working environment.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities to prioritize and execute initiatives.
• Project management expertise to oversee special projects and ensure timely completion.
• Analytical skills to synthesize information and support decision-making.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Proactive and adaptable to changing priorities and dynamic environments.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Essential Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in leadership roles, preferably in strategic planning, project management, or executive support.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field.
• Proven track record of working closely with senior executives and working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience in a similar industry or sector is highly desirable.

What This Role Is Not:

• Not a functional leader or department head replacement.
• Not a barrier to direct access.
• Not an Independent Decision-Maker.
• Not an Administrative Executive Assistant.

Additional Details:

• Travel will be required.
• Overtime may be necessary.

Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing education benefits. Populous is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company

No. 1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants

No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD+C

No. 1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD+C

No. 1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD+C

Find us here - https://populous.com/careers

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