Chief of Staff

Under the direction of the Executive Director (ED), the Manager of Executive Affairs plays a critical, multifaceted role ensuring the smooth, efficient execution of the ED’s daily workflow, communications, and priorities. This role serves as the primary engine behind the ED’s executive function—managing the logistical, editorial, and compliance "machinery" so the ED can maintain a singular focus on visionary leadership, fundraising, and the strategic growth of Making Waves Academy.

Inheriting a highly structured management system established by the ED, the Manager of Executive Affairs is responsible for maintaining and continuously optimizing these existing administrative workflows. This position serves as the ED's trusted right hand and gatekeeper, directly supervising one technical Project Manager to ensure all background data, reporting, and compliance milestones are executed flawlessly. This role requires exceptional organizational rigor, elite written communication, and the emotional maturity to navigate a high-consequence educational environment.

• System Stewardship: Maintain, execute, and continuously improve the established administrative frameworks, communication loops, and productivity pipelines that support the ED.
• Strategic Calendar Design: Intentionally design and guard the ED’s schedule to balance meetings with "protected work blocks" for deep thinking and decision-making. Independently resolve complex scheduling conflicts.
• Information Mastery: Master the flow of information across all channels (email, Slack, phone). Filter out operational noise and synthesize complex data into high-level, time-sensitive summaries so the ED can make quick, informed decisions.
• The "Vault" Mentality: Handle all sensitive employee, student, legal, and financial information with absolute discretion, maintaining the highest level of trust and professional ethics.
• Meeting Lifecycle Management: Own the preparation and execution of leadership and Cabinet meetings. Ensure comprehensive briefing materials and agendas are ready in advance, take precise notes, and systematically track follow‑up tasks until 100% completed.

• Project Manager Supervision: Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate the office's Project Manager. Ensure their portfolio of technical admin work, school data systems, and compliance tracking aligns perfectly with the ED's standards.
• Workflow Alignment: Review and guide the Project Manager’s deliverables to ensure technical tasks are completed with a "zero‑mistake" mindset and ahead of strict district or state deadlines.

• Board Logistics: Oversee all Board of Directors logistics, ensuring the legal posting of agendas, meticulous minute‑taking, and the flawless maintenance of official corporate documentation. Ensure execution adheres to California public meeting guidelines.
• Accountability Tracking: In partnership with the Project Manager, track, support, and guarantee the timely completion of state‑mandated milestones, including the LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan), SARC, and annual authorizer compliance cycles.
• Policy Screening: Assist the ED in screening incoming documentation and legal notices, monitoring workflows to ensure continuous alignment with the California Education Code and school policies.

• Executive Voice & Drafting: Draft, refine, and polish elite‑level communications on behalf of the ED, including Board reports, community newsletters, and district/authorizer correspondence.
• Final Content Gatekeeper: Serve as…