Chief of Staff

Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Chief of Staff

About IHI 

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is a leading, globally recognized not-for-profit health care improvement organization that has been applying evidence-based quality improvement methods to meet current and future health care challenges for more than 30 years. IHI provides millions of people in health care with methods, tools, and resources to make care better, safer, and more equitable; convenes experts to enable knowledge sharing and peer-learning; and advises health systems and hospitals of all sizes in improving their systems and outcomes at scale. IHI's mission is to innovate and lead transformational improvement in health and health care worldwide.

Position Summary:

The Chief of Staff serves as a senior leader, strategic partner, and trusted advisor to the President and CEO, operating as an extension of the CEO’s leadership across the organization.

This role brings senior-level expertise in organizational leadership, business transformation, strategic communication, and management in complex, matrixed environments. Operating at the intersection of strategy, execution, governance, and communication, the Chief of Staff ensures alignment, accountability, and disciplined follow-through on enterprise priorities.

As an enterprise integrator, the Chief of Staff strengthens executive team effectiveness, accelerates cross-functional execution, and supports strong internal and external partnerships—advancing IHI’s mission, global impact, and long-term sustainability.

Position Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Executive Leadership & Strategic Advisory

• Serve as a primary strategic advisor and thought partner to the CEO on enterprise priorities, organizational performance, and critical decisions


• Act as a senior leader influencing enterprise-wide strategy, culture, and outcomes


• Manage the flow of strategic issues and decisions, ensuring CEO focus on highest-value priorities


• Synthesize complex information into clear insights, risks, and actionable recommendations


• Prepare and position the CEO for high-stakes engagements, decisions, and stakeholder interactions


• Represent the CEO and, as appropriate, the organization, in internal and external engagements


• Act as an enterprise integrator—surfacing risks, resolving tensions, and ensuring alignment across leadership priorities

Enterprise Transformation & Business Leadership

• Lead and support enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, including organizational design, operating model evolution, and performance improvement


• Translate strategy into coordinated action, measurable outcomes, and sustained impact


• Apply strong executive, business, and financial acumen to inform decisions and evaluate tradeoffs


• Drive cross-functional execution, proactively removing barriers and managing interdependencies


• Monitor enterprise initiatives, risks, and key performance indicators, elevating issues and recommending course corrections


• Support organizational change by aligning leadership, shaping implementation approaches, and promoting adoption

Executive Operating Model & Enterprise Decision Enablement

• Design and manage executive leadership processes, meeting structures, and decision-making forums


• Establish and maintain operating cadences, dashboards, and accountability mechanisms


• Drive clarity of decisions, ownership, and follow-through across the executive team


• Strengthen alignment across leaders on priorities, tradeoffs, and enterprise commitments


• Shape leadership norms and promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance


• Ensure clarity, accountability, and disciplined follow-through on executive decisions and enterprise commitments

Governance & Board Engagement

• Partner with the CEO and Board leadership to support effective governance, Board engagement, and strategic oversight


• Lead preparation of high-quality Board and committee materials and communications


• Ensure clear tracking of Board decisions, action items, and organizational follow-through


• Advance governance best practices, including decision clarity, risk management, and accountability frameworks


• Help shape Board agendas, annual calendars, and committee workflows

Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide executive-level communication leadership, shaping narratives for internal and external audiences


• Ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment of leadership messaging across the organization


• Serve as a credible and trusted voice, representing leadership perspectives with confidence and clarity


• Build and sustain strong relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, including funders, customers, and collaborators


• Shape and advance high-priority stakeholder engagements, ensuring alignment, preparation, and follow-through

Organizational Leadership in Complex Environments

• Lead and influence cross-functional and matrixed teams in complex, fast-paced environments


• Mobilize teams and initiatives with and without direct authority through influence and alignment


• Strengthen organizational effectiveness through improved coordination, decision-making, and ways of working


• Mentor and support emerging leaders and teams contributing to enterprise priorities


• Promote clarity, consistency, and alignment during periods of change and uncertainty

Special Initiatives & Enterprise Problem Solving

• Lead high-priority, ambiguous, or sensitive initiatives requiring executive sponsorship and cross-functional leadership


• Coordinate enterprise-level problem solving on emerging issues and strategic opportunities


• Improve operating models, processes, and organizational rhythms to enhance effectiveness and efficiency


• Address complex challenges that cut across teams, functions, or geographies

Position Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Enterprise orientation and strategic judgment, with the ability to connect organizational priorities, risks, decisions, and implications


• Executive-level synthesis skills, including the ability to turn complex, ambiguous, or sensitive information into clear insights, options, and recommendations


• Strong advisory capability, including the ability to offer candid counsel, sound judgment, and practical solutions to senior executives


• Knowledge of organizational effectiveness, operating models, change management, performance improvement, and executive team ways of working


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages for executive, Board, staff, partner, funder, customer, and public audiences


• Strong facilitation and process design skills, including the ability to structure decision forums, meeting cadences, governance workflows, and follow-up systems


• High degree of organizational and political acumen, with the ability to navigate complexity, build trust, and align stakeholders with differing perspectives


• Ability to interpret financial, operational, performance, and risk information and frame tradeoffs for executive decision-making


• Strong relationship-building and influence skills, including the ability to mobilize leaders, teams, and stakeholders without relying on direct authority


• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters

 IHI Values and Culture

• Commitment to IHI Values of courage, love, equity, trust and impact


• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and the improvement of societal systems

 Position Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public health, health care administration, organizational leadership, public policy, communications, or a related field; equivalent senior-level experience may be considered in lieu of a degree


• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in enterprise strategy, organizational effectiveness, transformation, executive office leadership, or cross-functional execution


• Demonstrated success serving as a trusted advisor, chief of staff, senior strategy or operations leader, or comparable partner to a CEO, president, executive director, or C-suite executive


• Experience translating enterprise priorities into coordinated action plans, measurable outcomes, clear accountability structures, and sustained cross-functional follow-through


• Experience leading complex organizational initiatives, including transformation efforts, operating model changes, organizational design, change management, or performance improvement


• Strong executive presence and communication skills, with experience preparing leaders for high-stakes meetings, decisions, Board interactions, staff communications, and external stakeholder engagements


• Experience supporting executive leadership teams, Board or committee processes, governance workflows, decision forums, meeting cadences, and follow-up on commitments and action items


• Strong business, financial, and analytical acumen, with the ability to use data, performance indicators, budgets, and risk information to inform decisions and evaluate tradeoffs


• Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in handling sensitive organizational, personnel, financial, governance, or stakeholder matters

Preferred

• Experience in health care, public health, health care improvement, patient safety, health equity, global health, or a related mission-driven field


• Experience working in a nonprofit, NGO, philanthropic, academic, or global organization with multi-country programs, partnerships, or stakeholders


• Advanced degree, such as an MBA, MPH, MHA, MPA, or other relevant graduate degree


• Experience supporting executive leadership in a mission-driven organization undergoing growth, transformation, strategic repositioning, or operating model change


• Experience using project, portfolio, CRM, ERP, financial, collaboration, or performance management tools to support executive decision-making and enterprise execution

 Physical Attributes:

• Ability to Sit for Extended Periods: Capability to work at a desk for long durations


• Manual Dexterity: Proficiency in using a computer, including typing, mouse handling, and other office equipment


• Visual Acuity: Ability to read and view a computer screen for extended periods


• Hearing and Speaking: Clear communication over phone and video calls


• Environment Setup: Access to a quiet, professional home office setup conducive to focused work and virtual meetings


• Lifting: Occasionally requires lifting up to 25 lbs as needed

Working Conditions

This is a remote position that requires periodic domestic and occasional international travel. The position manages and works with dispersed teams across multiple time zones.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list or comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required.

At IHI, we are inspired to do our best work and be our best selves by leaning into our values and uniting in our vision to create a future in which everyone has the best care and health possible. We ensure that people feel valued and supported in meaningful ways, as demonstrated in our total rewards package that features competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability plans, FSA plans, generous time off including vacation time, wellness and wellbeing time, and other special programs to support employee wellbeing.

IHI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex or gender, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, veteran status, military service, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, crime victim status, political belief, and any other protected class under applicable law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to complete our application, please let us know. Veterans are encouraged to apply.