Special Advisor to the CEO

Njeda•Trenton, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) seeks an exceptional Special Advisor (SA) to the CEO to lead an exciting organizational evolution that will position this vital agency for even greater impact. With a strong foundation of 400 talented professionals and deep expertise in economic development, the NJEDA is ready to optimize its structure and strengthen its culture to deliver exceptional service to New Jersey's businesses, investors, and communities. Reporting directly to the CEO, and in coordination with the Deputy CEO, the SA will assess organizational strengths and opportunities to design and implement enhancements that leverage the NJEDA's considerable assets and capabilities while building an even more cohesive, effective, and mission-driven team. The NJEDA brings substantial expertise and a proven track record in economic development. Now, with new leadership committed to organizational excellence, we have a unique opportunity to: Refine our organizational structure to maximize the talents of our accomplished team Streamline leadership architecture to enhance clarity, agility, and decision-making Strengthen our already strong technical capabilities with improved internal collaboration and culture Position the NJEDA as a best-in-class model for effective economic development agencies Align resources and maximize public investments to achieve NJEDA's mission This role offers the rare chance to shape the future of an organization that plays a critical role in New Jersey's economic prosperity, working with dedicated professionals who are committed to serving the state.

Requirements

10+ years of professional experience with demonstrated expertise in organizational development, change management, or management consulting
Deep understanding of economic development, relevant programs, and stakeholder needs
Proven track record enabling organizational transformations in complex institutions (government agencies, large nonprofits, or similarly matrixed organizations preferred)
Significant experience working within or closely with state government, with appreciation for both opportunities and constraints of the public sector
Strategic Thinking: Ability to diagnose organizational dynamics, analyze opportunities, and design solutions that build on existing strengths
Relationship Building: Exceptional capacity to connect with diverse team members, earn trust, and foster collaboration
Constructive Judgment: Comfort making recommendations that serve the organization's mission, even when they require difficult decisions and changes in historical practices and processes, as well as having the discernment to know what to elevate to the CEO and Deputy CEO.
Change Leadership: Proven ability to guide transformation while honoring what's working and building enthusiasm for what's next
Organizational Savvy: Understanding of how to advance meaningful change within government while working collaboratively with stakeholders
Integrity and Discretion: Uphold confidentiality and trustworthiness when handling sensitive organizational matters and information
Constructive Candor: Willingness to share honest assessments while maintaining respect for all stakeholders
Genuine Appreciation: Ability to recognize and honor existing organizational strengths while identifying/pursuing opportunities for growth
Pragmatic Optimism: Skill in balancing aspirational goals with realistic implementation pathways
Adaptability: Capacity to adjust approaches based on what is learned from the talented NJEDA team
Collaborative Spirit: Commitment to working with people, not around them, to achieve shared goals
Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.
Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with organizations of 250+ employees
Background in organizational development, talent optimization, or related fields
Familiarity with New Jersey's business landscape and economic development priorities
Consulting experience (internal or external) with emphasis on implementation

Responsibilities

Organizational Assessment & Strategic Enhancement Evaluate current organizational structure, identifying strengths to build upon and opportunities for improvement
Analyze team dynamics and cultural assets, while uncovering areas where we can become even more effective
Assess how well our design aligns with our mission of exceptional stakeholder service
Develop strategic recommendations that leverage our existing capabilities while addressing gaps
Organizational Optimization & Implementation Design an evolved organizational architecture that clarifies roles, empowers decision-making, and accelerates our impact
Create an implementation roadmap that builds on our strengths while introducing necessary improvements
Lead an inclusive change management process that engages team members as partners in evolution
Make thoughtful, mission-focused recommendations regarding organizational structure, including role clarifications and potential new positions that enhance our capabilities
Culture Strengthening & Team Engagement Build genuine partnerships across all levels of the organization, learning from the expertise of our talented team
Foster open dialogue about how we can work together even more effectively
Identify and empower internal leaders who will champion our organizational evolution
Navigate state government dynamics while maintaining momentum for positive change
Develop groundwork/plan for the successful introduction/rollout of the new org structure to internal staff and external stakeholders.
Strategic Partnership with CEO and Deputy CEO Serve as trusted thought partner to the CEO and Deputy CEO on organizational effectiveness and team development
Provide ongoing counsel to maximize team potential and strengthen organizational culture
Balance multiple priorities: stakeholder excellence, team member growth, fiscal stewardship, and operational realities
Function as internal strategic consultant focused on sustainable, strategic implementation