Los Angeles, CA

Chief of Staff, Programs, The California Wellness Foundation

The Organization

The California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness) is a private, independent foundation established in 1992 with a mission to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California. As one of the largest health-focused foundations in California, with over $1 billion in assets, Cal Wellness is a
nationally recognized leader for its strategic core operating support for grantees; public policy grantmaking; and a focus on violence as a public health issue. It is Cal Wellness’ desire to promote equity and level the playing field so that everyone has access to good-paying jobs; healthy and safe neighborhoods; and quality health care services.

The foundation’s current Advancing Wellness grantmaking strategy includes four interrelated portfolios. Since its founding, Cal Wellness has awarded nearly 9,000 grants totaling more than $1 billion. As the foundation looks to the future, it is pursuing new and innovative strategies beyond its core grantmaking to advance its mission, including implementation of new technology systems, development of its public affairs capacity, and establishing mission- and program-related investment portfolios.

Cal Wellness has a diverse staff of approximately 45 located in its Los Angeles and Oakland offices and a diverse 13-member Board located throughout the state of California. The foundation’s work underscores a belief that wellness requires social justice, a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and sustained efforts to eliminate systemic barriers that prevent access to health care, education,
employment, and safety.

Please visit http://www.calwellness.org for more information.

Position Overview

The California Wellness Foundation seeks a highly strategic, collaborative, adaptable, and action-oriented leader as Chief of Staff (CoS) to support the leadership of Lori Cox, the Vice President of Programs (VPP), in the Grants Program Department. This is an exciting time to join the team, as the VPP implements her vision entering her second year leading the department, and a new Cal Wellness long-term strategy is on the horizon. The CoS will serve as deputy to the VPP in managing the department, and support and oversee a wide range of programs related activities including strategy, grantmaking, staffing, learning, special projects, and program operations. The CoS will also support grant making from the VPP’s office and ensure the prioritization of critical issues for the VPP to help facilitate timely decision-making. The CoS may also provide leadership within one or more of the  Advancing Wellness (AW) portfolios – including grantmaking, strategy, and learning – with a focus on areas outside of the main portfolios. This position will be the ultimate high-level utility player.

The CoS will serve as a senior leader and creative thought partner to the VPP bringing and building upon innovative ideas to enhance processes, systems, relationships, and outcomes. As the eyes and ears of the VPP, the CoS will leverage exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain strong relationships within the department and across the Foundation, breaking down silos and building bridges to conceive of and/or implement complex initiatives; build internal capacity; and step in, when needed, as a representative of the VPP, Grants Program Department, and Foundation. The ideal candidate will possess deep understand- ing of and direct experience in grant making programs; be passionate about the Foundation’s mission, vision and values; and enjoy hands-on leadership, coaching, and execution as part of a sizeable, passionate team. The CoS will supervisor one or more staff, and will have leadership presence, management experience, and a passion for developing teams and individuals.

https://www.calwellness.org/mission/employment/#op-556943-chief-of-staff-programs

How To Apply

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and list of three references (candidates will be notified in advance of any outreach to references) by 5:00 pm PT on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Resume review begins immediately. Those selected for advancement will be asked to participate in several rounds of interviews (virtual and/or in-person) and complete a writing assignment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in our application process, please let us know.

The California Wellness Foundation is partnering with Walker and Associates Consulting – a Black- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and search firm located in Oakland – for this search. Questions or Nominations? Email us at calwellness@walkeraac.com.

The California Wellness Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool. Additionally, we are a fair chance employer and welcome candidates with living experience with the criminal justice system.

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to limit the scope of potential work assignments. This is only a summary of the typical functions of the job and duties may differ from those as outlined above.

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