Chief of Staff

About the Role

This role serves as a trusted advisor to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), responsible for leading Accela’s strategic planning efforts and ensuring disciplined execution of key initiatives. The position establishes governance frameworks, drives operational processes, and monitors progress against strategic objectives.

The individual in this role proactively identifies and communicates risks and barriers to execution while partnering across the organization to drive alignment and results. They operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment and are highly skilled at translating ambiguous or high-level concepts into clear, actionable plans. Success in this role requires strong influence without direct authority, exceptional judgment, and the ability to mobilize resources across functions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Lead and manage Accela’s enterprise-wide strategic planning process
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure alignment and accountability for strategic objectives
• Deliver executive-level reporting on progress, including status updates, risk identification, and issue resolution
• Ensure strategic objectives are clearly defined, measurable, and achievable
• Plan and facilitate quarterly strategic planning sessions with the Senior Leadership Team

Initiative Leadership & Execution

• Lead high-priority, COO-sponsored initiatives from concept through execution
• Translate strategic concepts into detailed, executable operating plans
• Monitor progress against plans, identify gaps, and provide regular updates to executive leadership
• Partner cross-functionally to assemble and lead initiative teams, driving alignment and outcomes

Executive Support & Communications

• Support the COO in developing executive briefings for the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders
• Ensure communications are clear, concise, and aligned with organizational priorities

Operational Governance

• Establish and manage governance for Monthly Operational Reviews (MORs)
• Define agendas, coordinate participating teams, and ensure readiness of materials
• Facilitate review sessions and drive productive discussions
• Track, manage, and follow up on action items to ensure accountability and closure

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in strategy, operations, or program management
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior executives, both internally and externally
• Strong executive presence and business acumen
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing executive-level materials
• Proven strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Advanced program and project management skills, with a track record of driving complex initiatives to completion

ABOUT ACCELA
For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed to putting resources and attention towards evolving our practices, policies, and philosophies to enable diversity to thrive and to support equity in opportunity for everyone.

COMPENSATION AND WELL-BEING
The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $190,000 - $210,000(less applicable taxes). The actual annual base salary offered may be adjusted based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, location, education, skills, training, and experience. In addition to an annual base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus target. This is a discretionary bonus awarded based on company and individual goal achievement.

Accela’s U.S. team members will receive a generous benefits package consisting of options including flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, family planning benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, health savings account with company contributions, flexible spending account, life, accident, and disability coverage, business travel insurance, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits.

Accela is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and will respond to requests for job accommodations.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation