Deputy Chief of Staff (NCS) - Mayor's Office

About the role

The Deputy Chief of Staff serves as a senior executive within the Mayor's Office and is a principal advisor to the Chief of Staff and Mayor. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff leads strategic initiatives, manages high-priority projects, and helps drive implementation of the Mayor's agenda across Baltimore City government.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior member of the Mayor's executive leadership team.
• Advise the Mayor and Chief of Staff on strategic, operational, legislative, and policy matters.
• Represent the Chief of Staff in meetings, executive discussions, interagency coordination, and external engagements as assigned.
• Serve as a proxy for the Chief of Staff and, when designated, perform the responsibilities of the Chief of Staff.
• Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex operational and policy issues consistent with the Mayor's priorities.
• Foster collaboration among senior staff, cabinet agencies, and external partners to advance the mayor's agenda.
• Lead high-impact special projects on behalf of the Mayor and Chief of Staff from conception through implementation.
• Cookordination complex cross-agency initiatives involving City departments, external partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Develop implementation strategies, monitor progress, and ensure accountability for key mayoral priorities.
• Identify operational challenges and recommend innovative solutions to improve the effectiveness of the Mayor's Office and City government.
• Support planning and execution of the Mayor's daily schedule in partnership with the Senior Executive Assistant and scheduling staff.
• Coordinate advance planning for meetings, public appearances, travel, special events, and community engagements.
• Ensure timely follow-up on executive directives, commitments, and strategic initiatives.
• Anticipate emerging issues and proactively prepare the Mayor and Chief of Staff for meetings and public engagements.
• Support the Mayor and Chief of Staff in cultivating and maintaining productive relationships with key stakeholders across Baltimore City.
• Coordinate engagement with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to advance the Administration's priorities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with organized labor, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic partners, advocacy organizations, neighborhood associations, faith leaders, and other community stakeholders.
• Assist in planning and coordinating stakeholder meetings, listening sessions, roundtables, and other engagement opportunities on behalf of the Mayor.
• Prepare briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, and engagement strategies to support meetings and public events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, build consensus, and proactively address stakeholder concerns.
• Coordinate cross-functional follow-up to ensure commitments made by the Mayor's Office are communicated and implemented.
• Partner with the Mayor's Office of Communications and Senior Advisor to support strategic messaging, speechwriting, media preparation, and public communications.
• Aid in developing communications strategies surrounding major initiatives, announcements, and public events.
• Coordinate messaging across internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistency and alignment with the Mayor's priorities.
• Support the Mayor's Office of Government Relations and Senior Advisor in advancing the Administration's legislative agenda.
• Prepare legislative briefing materials, policy analyses, testimony, and executive correspondence as needed.
• Conduct policy research and analysis on issues affecting Baltimore City.
• Develop recommendations, briefing materials, and implementation strategies for executive decision-making.
• Monitor implementation of major mayoral initiatives and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with agencies and senior advisors to ensure successful execution of Administration priorities.
• Support the coordination of executive-level decision-making and communications during emergencies and major incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Mayor or Chief of Staff.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Preferred: Master's degree in public administration, Public Policy, Public Education, Business Administration, Law, Political Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government, public policy, public administration, public education, executive management, communications, government relations, legislative affairs, management consulting, or a related field.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of Baltimore City government operations and municipal policy.
• Experience: Experience managing executive operations, legislative strategy, strategic communications, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience: Experience on political campaigns.

Qualifications

• Experience: Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government, public policy, public administration, public education, executive management, communications, government relations, legislative affairs, management consulting, or a related field.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of Baltimore City government operations and municipal policy.
• Experience: Experience managing executive operations, legislative strategy, strategic communications, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience: Experience on political campaigns.

Skills and Abilities

• Leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Political judgment and discretion.
• Policy analysis and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Flexibility, resilience, and sound decision-making in rapidly changing environments.
• A commitment to excellence in public service and ethical leadership.

Working Conditions

This position requires frequent evening and weekend work and the ability to respond to urgent matters outside normal business hours. The Deputy Chief of Staff must be prepared to support the Mayor and Chief of Staff during emergencies, major events, and other situations requiring executive leadership and coordination.

Additional Information

• Background Check: Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.
• Probation: All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-MONTH mandatory probation.
• Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.
• EEO Statement: The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.