Chief of Staff

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and a central integrator across the organization. This role leads institutional strategic planning and special initiatives; facilitates alignment across departments and leadership; and ensures that governance, communication, and organizational processes support long-term institutional goals.

The Chief of Staff also plays a key role in Board relations, including supervising the Manager of Board Relations (Governance), who serves as the primary staff liaison to the Governance & Nominating Committee, as well as general oversight of governance infrastructure in partnership with the Manager of Board Relations.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO 

Executive Leadership and Thought Partnership

• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director on institutional priorities, including implementation of the 2026-2031 strategic plan, including its organizational implications.
• Ensure the Executive Director is well-informed on progress, risks, and opportunities across key initiatives.
• Structure and facilitate inter-Senior Leadership Team (SLT) communications and meetings—ensuring clear information flow, alignment on priorities, and that the SLT operates as an informed, efficient, and cohesive decision-making body.
• Support preparation for high-level meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagements.

Team Leadership and Director’s Office Management

• Supervise and support the Manager of Board Relations and Director’s Office Administrator.
• Ensure clear delineation of responsibilities and alignment of workflows across Director’s Office roles.
• Foster a collaborative, high-functioning team environment.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Project Management

• Lead and coordinate complex, cross-departmental initiatives, with a particular focus on those connected to capital projects, strategic planning, and institutional transformation.
• Establish and maintain clear project management structures, tools, and workflows that support accountability and progress.
• Support members of the Senior Leadership Team in advancing shared goals and navigating interdependencies.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving and decision-making across departments.

Organizational Culture, Learning, and Change Management

• Support organizational readiness and change management efforts related to capital projects  and strategic plan implementation.
• Partner with Human Resources to advance staff engagement, leadership development, and learning initiatives.
• Under leadership from the Executive Director, help guide the organization through complex transitions, fostering a culture of adaptability, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Capital Project Leadership and Organizational Readiness

• Serve as a central internal coordinator for the Walker’s capital projects, ensuring alignment between the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team, and project stakeholders.
• Partner with external stakeholders (e.g., owner’s representative, architects, consultants) to support clear communication, decision-making, and project progress.
• Lead internal coordination and alignment across departments to ensure readiness for capital projects, including impacts on operations, programming, audiences, and staff.
• Develop and manage internal project tracking systems, timelines, and communication structures related to capital projects.
• Support scenario planning and organizational strategy for “before, during, and after” phases of the of capital projects.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities associated with projects and support proactive planning and mitigation.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Initiatives

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s strategic plan, ensuring alignment with broader institutional priorities.
• Oversee strategic planning processes, including management of external consultants and facilitation of internal engagement. Most recent planning process concluded in June 2026 with the FY2027-2031 strategic plan.
• Monitor institutional progress toward strategic goals, including developm