Chief Strategy Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is a pivotal member of HFCA’s Senior Leadership Team responsible for strengthening organizational alignment, driving execution of strategic priorities, and expanding the leadership capacity of the CEO and C-suite. Serving as an integrator, the CSO ensures that departments work collaboratively, that strategic initiatives move forward with clarity and discipline, and that key decisions translate into coordinated, high-quality action across the organization.

This leader builds the systems, communication structures, and operating rhythms that help HFCA function as a cohesive, high-performing team. The CSO partners closely with senior leaders to establish shared goals, improve cross-functional collaboration, and support change management efforts that advance HFCA’s mission. Equal parts strategist, operator, and relationship-centered leader, the CSO brings judgment, emotional intelligence, and a solutions-oriented mindset to help HFCA work better together in service of students, families, and staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership, Strategic Planning & Organizational Alignment

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to establish organizational priorities and maintain strategic clarity across HFCA.

• Lead and support the development, implementation, and monitoring of HFCA’s multi-year strategic goals, ensuring they translate into actionable annual plans, clear metrics, and aligned execution across departments and campuses.

• Facilitate the translation of high-level strategy into operational goals, systems, and routines that drive coordinated work across academic, operational, and HR functions.

• Ensure transparency and alignment through strong internal communication, cross-functional planning structures, and clear updates to staff and stakeholders.

• Conduct internal needs assessments, identify organizational opportunities or risks, and provide strategic recommendations to inform decision-making.

Organizational Performance, Data Use & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee and strengthen organizational performance systems that track progress on academic, operational, financial, and culture-related metrics.

• Promote data-driven decision-making across departments by ensuring teams have effective tools, dashboards, and structures to monitor and improve outcomes.

• Collaborate with academic and campus leaders to evaluate program effectiveness, identify areas for innovation or redesign, and support continuous improvement.

• Synthesize data into clear insights that support the CEO and C-suite in prioritizing resources, adjusting strategies, and monitoring progress.

Cross-Functional Leadership, Collaboration & Initiative Management

• Lead high-priority, cross-department strategic initiatives that are critical to HFCA’s mission, organizational health, and student success.

• Serve as the executive lead for special projects and organizational improvement efforts requiring complex coordination, problem-solving, or change management.

• Facilitate strong collaboration between campuses and the regional team to ensure cohesive execution, shared accountability, and alignment of practices and expectations.

• Identify and address cross-functional bottlenecks, communication gaps, and alignment challenges; implement systems and routines that strengthen coherence and collaborative work.

Change Management & Organizational Development

• Guide teams through major organizational changes by establishing clear communication plans, anticipating risks, and supporting leaders and teams through transitions.

• Reinforce norms, systems, and leadership behaviors that promote alignment, trust, collaboration, and effective execution.

• Support the CEO and C-suite in implementing new systems (e.g., performance management, recruitment, culture initiatives) with consistency and fidelity across the network.

• Facilitate cross-team reflection and learning cycles to improve organizational practices and drive continuous improvement.

Executive Office Operations & Strategic Communications

• Manage the operational rhythms of the Executive Office, including leadership meeting structures, strategic planning timelines, internal communications, and follow-through systems.

• Prepare materials for executive meetings, board meetings, and organizational updates, ensuring information is synthesized, accurate, and actionable.

• Ensure the CEO’s priorities are clearly communicated and operationalized across levels of the organization.

• Support coordinated communication across departments and campuses to promote clarity, transparency, and alignment.

Professional Learning, Principal PD & Learning Communities

• Set the vision and design for HFCA’s principal professional learning community (PLC), ensuring alignment to academic and culture priorities.

• Plan and facilitate monthly principal PD that integrates practice, reflection, real-time coaching, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Build structures for cross-school collaboration such as shared walkthroughs, peer visits, study groups, and strategic teaming to strengthen leader relationships and reduce isolation.

• Ensure PD is grounded in data and aligned to HFCA’s arc of the year.

Culture, Leadership Support & People Development

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, equity, and innovation across HFCA by modeling and reinforcing organizational values and leadership expectations.

• Partner with HR to support leadership development, manager capacity-building, culture strengthening initiatives, and organizational learning structures.

• Build trusting relationships with leaders at all levels; act as a thought partner for senior staff navigating complex decisions, interpersonal dynamics, and cross-functional challenges.

• Coach teams in effective collaboration, communication, planning, and execution.