Chief of Staff and External Affairs Officer

Njeda•Trenton, NJ

44d•Hybrid

About The Position

Serves as a senior executive partner to the CEO and Deputy CEO, driving NJEDA’s strategic direction, operational execution, and external engagement. Leads the External Affairs vertical, overseeing Communications, Events and Marketing, and Government Affairs as well as International Innovation. Acts as a central coordinator across the Executive Team, Governor’s Office, the Legislature, local government, and other key external stakeholders. This role combines strategic leadership, executive management, and external relationship-building to ensure alignment between NJEDA’s mission, policy priorities, and public-facing activities. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor to senior leadership, an effective organizational integrator, and a credible external representative with deep experience in public sector leadership, economic development, and government affairs.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in intergovernmental affairs, including legislative engagement, executive-branch coordination, and collaboration with state, county, municipal, federal, and international partners.
Deep understanding of economic development policy, public finance, governance structures, and the regulatory and political environments impacting statewide initiatives.
Proven ability to oversee and integrate communications, public affairs, data analytics, and policy functions to support executive decision-making and external strategy.
Exceptional executive judgment, discretion, and political acumen, with the ability to navigate complex, high-stakes environments and sensitive stakeholder relationships.
Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to represent the Authority credibly with elected officials, senior government leaders, Board members, and external partners.
Highly organized, adaptable, and decisive leader capable of managing competing priorities, driving alignment, and maintaining momentum across multiple concurrent initiatives.
Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably in the public sector, with demonstrated leadership in government affairs, public policy, external relations, or executive management.
At least 5 years of senior-level management experience, including direct oversight of teams and responsibility for cross-functional or enterprise-wide initiatives.
Experience engaging with elected officials, executive leadership, boards, and diverse external stakeholders is required.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
Proficiency in GovNet.
NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience

Responsibilities

Serve as Chief of Staff to the CEO, ensuring effective execution of priorities, decision-making, and information flow across the Authority.
Provide strategic counsel to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board on organizational performance, policy initiatives, and external engagement.
Oversee External Affairs functions, ensuring alignment with NJEDA strategy and gubernatorial priorities.
Serves as the central point of coordination across state agencies, the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, local governments, and external partners.
Direct the Authority’s intergovernmental affairs strategy, including legislative engagement, policy coordination, and outreach to federal, state, county, and municipal stakeholders to advance NJEDA priorities.
Oversee enterprise-level external initiatives spanning communications, public affairs, international engagement, and marketing, ensuring consistent execution and alignment with statewide economic policy objectives.
At the direction of the CEO, advance key and politically sensitive NJEDA priorities and initiatives across the NJEDA and external stakeholders.
Strengthen NJEDA’s role as a trusted partner to the Governor’s Office, Legislature, and sister agencies by proactively aligning Authority initiatives with administration priorities and legislative objectives.
Elevate NJEDA’s external presence and credibility through coordinated outreach, strategic messaging, and disciplined stakeholder engagement across government, industry, academia, and international partners.
Ensure seamless execution of executive priorities by translating strategic direction into actionable workplans, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes across divisions.
Serve as the primary integrator across NJEDA divisions, ensuring alignment between policy, programs, communications, marketing, and external engagement in support of Authority and administration priorities.
Act as NJEDA’s central point of coordination with the Governor’s Office, Legislature, state agencies, local governments, and federal partners, facilitating collaboration, resolving issues, and advancing shared objectives.
Partner closely with Executive Team members to translate strategic direction into coordinated action, while ensuring consistent messaging, stakeholder outreach, and disciplined execution across the organization.
Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serves as a senior member of the Executive Committee.
Provides executive oversight and strategic direction to the External Affairs vertical, including Communications, Events & Marketing, Government Affairs,
Exercises broad delegated authority to act on behalf of the CEO in external settings, operating with a high degree of autonomy and judgment in managing priorities, relationships, and sensitive matters.
Must complete annual self-assessment as required.
Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.