Job Description
Chief of Staff to the President
The White House Historical Association is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Executive Mansion. For more than sixty years, the Association has produced award-winning books on a wide range of subjects related to the history of the President’s House and has actively fulfilled its educational mission with robust educational programming and retail offerings.
This is NOT a political position or a position with the United States Government. All proceeds from the sale of the Association’s books and products are used to fund the acquisition of historic furnishings and artwork for the permanent White House Collection, assist in the preservation of public rooms, and further its educational mission.
The Association is seeking a Chief of Staff to the President of the White House Historical Association.
General Summary:
This position serves as the principal administrative and operational advisor to the President of the White House Historical Association. The Chief of Staff provides high-level strategic and operational support, oversees key staff, and ensures the efficient functioning of the Office of the President.
The role requires an intelligent, highly organized, and proactive leader with exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Chief of Staff will manage the Executive Assistant to the President, the Manager of Special Projects, and interns. A successful candidate will demonstrate strong staff management experience, outstanding communication skills, and a genuine interest in the mission of the White House Historical Association.
This is an in-person, full-time, permanent position with benefits. Occasional official travel may be required.
Responsibilities:
Office Leadership & Staff Management:
• Directly supervise the Executive Assistant to the President, the Manager of Special Projects, and interns, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration among direct reports and across the Association.
• Delegate tasks appropriately and monitor progress to ensure high-quality outcomes and timely completion.
• Foster a positive, productive, and mission-aligned team environment within the Office of the President.
• Facilitate effective communication among the Association’s Strategy Team of direct reports to the President.
Strategic & Operational Support for the President:
• Serve as a key advisor to the President on administrative, operational, and strategic matters.
• Manage the President’s overall schedule and priorities in close coordination with the Executive Assistant.
• Anticipate needs, identify potential issues, and proactively develop solutions to support the President’s effectiveness.
• Oversee the preparation of briefing materials, reports, and presentations for the President’s internal and external engagements.
• Compile and provide a weekly dashboard of key data and metrics for the President to assess and manage the work of the Association.
Representational Responsibilities:
• Act as a representative of the President by conveying information accurately and confidentially to and from the President of the Association.
• Exercise sound judgment in communicating on behalf of the Office of the President while maintaining the highest standards of discretion and professionalism.
Board & Governance Coordination:
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Secretary of the Board of Directors.
• Consult with and apprise the Secretary of the Board of all matters that may impact members of the Board or governance in general.
Project & Initiative Oversight:
• Provide leadership and oversight for special projects managed by the Manager of Special Projects.
• Ensure alignment of special projects with the Association’s mission and the President’s priorities.
• Track progress on key initiatives, remove obstacles, and keep the President informed of status and outcomes.
Financial Oversight:
• Oversee and manage the budget of the Office of the President, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, accurate tracking of expenditures, and adherence to organizational financial policies.
Communications Coordination:
• Work in close coordination with the Association’s communications staff and consultants to manage consistent and effective messaging for the Association and the President.
Correspondence & Communication:
• Support high-level correspondence and communications on behalf of the President, including reviewing, editing, and drafting documents as needed.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of discretion.
• Facilitate internal and external communications to ensure clarity, consistency, and timeliness.
Meeting & Event Coordination:
• Assist in the planning and execution of high-level meetings, board sessions, and special events.
• Ensure all necessary materials and follow-up actions are prepared and completed.
Additional Duties:
• Represent the Office of the President in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of staff management experience, including direct supervision of professional staff.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, operational, or executive support roles, preferably in a non-profit, educational, or cultural institution.
• Demonstrated interest in the mission of the White House Historical Association and its commitment to preserving and promoting the history of the President’s House.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Exceptional organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain complete confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet the demands of the Office of the President, including occasional official travel.
• High degree of initiative, dependability, honesty, and a positive, professional attitude.
Job Details:
- Type: Full-time exempt
- Compensation: Range $125k-$150k
- Benefits: 403(B), health, dental, vision insurance, paid time off, employee discounts
- Location: Washington, D.C. On-site – in-person
Candidates selected for this position must pass a full background and reference check.
To Apply:
Send cover letter describing your relevant experiences, and your resume in a single Word document or PDF to employment@whha.org The White House Historical Association is an equal opportunity employer.