SEIU UHW West
United Healthcare Workers West

Deputy Chief of Staff

Based in Oakland or Los Angeles, CA

 

Position: Deputy Chief of Staff
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Oakland or Los Angeles

Position Summary:
The Deputy Chief of Staff will serve as a key strategic leader within SEIU-UHW, a prominent workers organization representing over 100,000 healthcare workers across California. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, this executive position manages a $140 million operational budget and leads a diverse team of 55 staff members spanning multiple critical departments including operations, administration, finance, data and IT, human resources, membership services, and recruitment.

This role demands an accomplished leader who can drive organizational transformation while ensuring operational excellence across all functional areas. The Deputy Chief of Staff will:

• Provide strategic oversight and integration of core business operations
• Implement and maintain robust project and change management methodologies
• Develop and execute comprehensive succession planning strategies
• Optimize cross-departmental efficiency and collaboration
• Ensure alignment of departmental initiatives with organizational objectives

The ideal candidate will bring proven success leading complex organizational transformations and developing talent strategies in organizations of similar scale and complexity. They must demonstrate exceptional abilities in strategic planning, resource optimization, and fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead organizational operations across core functions: Operations, Administration, Finance, Data and IT, Human Resources, Membership, and Recruitment
   • Direct human resources efforts related to staff development, workplace policies, compliance, and recruitment, ensuring the organization attracts and retains high-quality talent.
   • Direct and lead the organization's operational and administrative functions, with accountability for achieving measurable performance metrics aligned with organizational goals
   • Manage financial operations including annual budget development of $140 million, monthly monitoring, and executive reporting
   • Direct membership department operations, with accountability for member growth, engagement, and retention metrics.
   • Provide strategic oversight to the CIO, who leads the implementation and optimization of data management and IT systems to drive measurable organizational improvements.
2. Strategic Planning and Implementation
   • Partner with the Chief of Staff to develop and execute strategic plans with measurable outcomes
   • Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment and successful delivery of key projects and campaigns
   • Direct and maintain oversight of high-priority projects, ensuring adherence to scope, timeline, and budget constraints
3. Team Leadership and Development
   • Lead and develop a team of 6 direct reports across multiple functional areas, who manage 55 staff
   • Create and implement strategies to foster an inclusive work environment that drives high performance
   • Design and execute comprehensive staff development programs aligned with succession planning goals
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
   • Create and deliver executive-level reports and presentations
   • Lead key stakeholder meetings and maintain strategic partnerships
   • Design and implement organizational policies that advance union priorities
   • Ensure compliance with union policies while driving continuous improvement initiatives
5. Project and Change Management
   • Lead large-scale organizational change initiatives using established methodologies
   • Direct project teams using formal project management frameworks
   • Develop and track key performance indicators to measure project success
   • Create and execute change management and communication strategies
6. Leadership
   • Excellent interpersonal skills. Must be independent, results-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced and energetic environment.
   • Superior oral and written communication skills. Superior presentation skills.
   • High integrity and ethics.
   • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels in a team-oriented environment.
   • Understands and is confident in how to communicate difficult / sensitive information.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, Political Science, or related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in large organizations, with demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas:
  • Operations and Administration
  • Finance and Budget Management
  • Human Resources and Organizational Development
  • Data Systems and IT Infrastructure
  • Recruitment and Talent Management
• Proven track record of successfully leading organizational change initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing succession planning programs
• Strong understanding of labor relations in healthcare, including experience working with staff unions
• Exceptional strategic planning and execution capabilities
• Advanced conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A strong commitment to social justice.
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours, sometimes including weekends, early mornings and evenings
• Travel required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field
• Experience in healthcare or labor union settings
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English)
• Advanced certification in Change Management

Scope of Responsibility

• Budget Oversight: $140 million annual operating budget
• Team Leadership: 6 direct reports, 55 indirect reports
• Member Impact: Programs affecting 100,000+ healthcare workers
• Geographic Scope: California and Arizona

Tools:
The Deputy Chief of Staff is required to have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and a working automobile.

Relationships
The Deputy Chief of Staff works closely with and interacts with Union members, unorganized workers, employers, government officials, the Executive Board members, officers/senior staff, other staff, staff from other labor organizations and grassroots organizations.

Compensation
SEIU-UHW offers a starting salary of $194,000 and a generous benefit package.

Application
SEIU-UHW is a powerful, cutting-edge union of healthcare workers and patients leading for better health, quality care, and good jobs. Our members have a bold strategy to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all Californians, improve healthcare workers’ standard of living, and make California the healthiest state in the nation — but we can only make it happen with you. SEIU-UHW offers a competitive salary based on experience, generous benefits including fully paid family healthcare, a defined benefit pension, and a work environment that values team building and diversity with a culture of feedback and development.

SEIU is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability.

To Apply:
Please submit cover letter and résumé with at least three references as a PDF document to: DCoSHiring@seiu-uhw.org, and reference “Deputy Chief of Staff” in the subject line.