Chief of Staff

Status: Full Time, Exempt
Start Date: November 17, 2025
Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director
Submit materials: through our online portal linked here. Submit all inquiries to: Alex Francis, ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization partnering with community stakeholders to drive equitable development, economic mobility, and improved outcomes for children, residents, and families of the South Dallas community. The Forest Theater serves as the anchor institution, with an anticipated grand opening scheduled Fall 2026.

We are seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as a pivotal strategic partner to the Executive & Artistic Director and an operations coordinator for the General Manager. This role is the operational backbone of our executive and artistic office, ensuring seamless alignment and execution across our highest-priority initiatives including brand, programming, operations and fund development. You’ll be instrumental in shaping and driving our organizational strategy, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and driving key projects that amplify both Forest Theater and Forest Forward’s mission and impact.

What You’ll Drive

• Executive Strategy & Alignment o Strategic Thought Partner: Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive & Artistic Director, providing strategic insights and acting as a project driver for critical, high-impact initiatives. o Synthesis & Recommendation: Distill diverse stakeholder input—from the Board, C-Suite Leadership, Community Advisors, Staff, and external Partners—into clear, actionable recommendations and action plans that empower decisive leadership. o Goal Clarity & Momentum: Ensure absolute clarity of goals, timelines, and roles across the senior leadership team, maintaining robust momentum on our core organizational priorities and synced execution.
• Organizational Cohesion & Efficiency o Internal Communication Guru: Lead the design and facilitation of impactful internal meetings across all departments, including team retreats, strategic check-ins, and 
  critical milestone reviews. You will co-manage the Executive and Artistic Team calendar. 
  • Strategy to Action: Translate our overarching strategic goals into precise tactical work plans and dashboards, ensuring every departmental effort is deeply aligned with institutional objectives. 
  • Culture of Accountability: Cultivate and embed systems and a positive culture of accountability, collaborative spirit, and continuous learning across all functions and teams. 
  • General Manager Operational Support: Provide direct operational coordination and support to the General Manager, assisting with the implementation of systems, streamlining workflows, and ensuring cross-functional alignment on day-to-day operations and programmatic initiatives. 
  • Program Leadership: This role will directly design, develop, launch and lead our inaugural Internship, Fellowship, and Apprenticeship Programs, shaping the next generation of talent for our organization and the broader cultural sector. 

• Governance & Strategic Initiatives o Stakeholder Orchestration: Coordinate all communications, meticulous planning, and seamless logistics for our Board of Directors, C-Suite Leadership Team, Community Advisory Board, Staff, and other vital stakeholders. 
  • Executive Preparedness: Provide comprehensive support for executive-led meetings, including the detailed preparation of agendas, compelling briefing materials, and rigorous action item follow-up. 
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Drive select special projects, pilot programs, or research initiatives that require a cross-departmental lens or span crucial external partnerships. 

What You Will Build (Pre-Opening) 

• As our inaugural Chief of Staff, you will be pivotal in establishing the operational and strategic infrastructure for the launch of the Forest Theater. Key pre-opening deliverables include: 
• Executive Strategic Playbook: Conceptualize, design, and build the foundational strategic playbook for the Executive & Artistic Director, outlining key initiatives, decision-making frameworks, and communication protocols. 
• Cross-Functional Operating Model: Design and implement the core cross-functional operating model, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and communication pathways across all departments for the pre-opening and launch phases. 
• Board & Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: Develop and execute the pre-opening engagement strategy for the Board of Directors, key C-Suite leaders, and external community advisors. 
• Inaugural Program Infrastructure: Establish the full infrastructure for our inaugural Internship, Fellowship, and Apprenticeship Programs, including curriculum, partnership agreements, and recruitment pipelines. 
• Performance Tracking & Reporting Dashboards: Design and implement initial performance tracking and reporting dashboards for key organizational priorities and executive decision-making.

Direct Impact

This role is absolutely central to our operational fluidity, ethos and strategic success. You will directly impact:

• The effectiveness and focus of our Executive & Artistic Director;
• The seamless collaboration and productivity of our entire leadership team;
• The operational efficiency and strategic execution for our General Manager;
• Our ability to translate vision into tangible, high-impact outcomes;
• The growth and development of emerging talent through our professional development programs.

Tools We Use

Our team relies on a modern tech stack to stay connected and productive, including Dropbox, Slack, Monday.com, Google Suite, RAMP, and Zoom.

What You’ll Bring

• 6+ years of experience in nonprofit management, strategic consulting, or executive support, ideally within a dynamic, mission-driven environment;
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, complex project management, cross-functional coordination, and influential organizational leadership;
• Exceptional attention to detail combined with superior project management and communication skills;
• Proven ability to maintain discretion, manage highly complex information, and navigate sensitive situations with diplomacy and grace;
• A profound passion for cultural equity, impactful storytelling, and our institutional mission to revitalize communities through arts and culture.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position with a fixed compensation of $85,000 annually, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package.

Employees who work an average of thirty (30) hours or more on a weekly basis may participate in medical, dental, vision, and other insurance programs. Under these plans, participating employees will receive comprehensive health and other insurance coverage for themselves and their families, as well as other benefits. Forest Forward presently pays a portion of the insurance premium for all eligible employees. Our Employee Benefits Package include the following:

Medical, Dental, Vision and other Voluntary options

Medical Coverage is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Employees are eligible to enroll in the plan within 30 days of their hire date, and the coverage is effective on the first of the following month.

Retirement Plan

Forest Forward offers a 401(k) retirement plan administered by Lincoln Financial Services. Employees are eligible to participate in the plan 90 days after their hire date.

Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Days

All full-time employees are eligible to receive 80 hours of vacation time annually, 40 hours of sick time and three (3) paid personal/ or mental health days per calendar year.

Additional Information

This position will require occasional evening and weekend work, in conjunction with major performances and other special events.

Applications and Inquiries

Submissions will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis, through our online portal linked here. Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments. If you are in need of an alternative form of submission, email: ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color,religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.