Chief of Staff for the Police Commissioner

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Cambridge Police Department is composed of a dedicated and diverse team of professionals committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits the city. We work in close partnership with the community to enhance public safety through problem-solving, transparency, fairness, and integrity. Our mission is to provide equitable, community-driven policing that fosters trust and collaboration.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Chief of Staff to the Cambridge Police Department is a mission-critical role supporting the Commissioner and senior command staff in advancing strategic priorities, operational excellence, and organizational alignment. This role serves as a trusted advisor, problem-solver, and execution leader who ensures the Commissioner’s office operates with efficiency, clarity, and momentum.

The Chief of Staff must be a highly capable, agile professional who can synthesize information quickly, drive initiatives forward, and coordinate across a wide range of stakeholders. This is a dynamic, high-expectation position best suited for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, operates with discretion and professionalism, and can translate strategy into action. The Chief of Staff is on call in case of emergency situations, some evenings and weekends required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Execution & Operational Support

• Help manage high-level projects and initiatives on behalf of the Commissioner, ensuring follow-through, accountability, and timely delivery.
• Support the preparation of polished, executive-ready materials including briefings, agendas, reports, memos, and presentations, as needed.
• Translate meetings and verbal direction into clear, actionable steps; monitor progress and ensure alignment across teams.
• Anticipate competing priorities and protect the Commissioner’s time through proactive scheduling and priority management.
• Serve as a liaison across internal and external stakeholders, ensuring coordination and clear communication.
• Build and maintain effective relationships across departments to support strategic alignment and cross-functional collaboration.
• Manage ambiguity with high judgment, exercising discretion in decision-making and escalation.
• Create and maintain systems for tracking key priorities, project status, and outcomes.
• Organize and facilitate leadership meetings; coordinate agendas, meeting prep, follow-up, and execution.
• Foster continuity and clarity across the executive team and the broader organization.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in public administration, business, law enforcement, finance, human resources, or a related field; Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), or related discipline strongly preferred.
• 5–10 years of relevant professional experience, including prior experience as a Chief of Staff or in a similarly high-level operations, strategic planning, or executive support role.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Proven ability to operate with independence and deliver high-quality results in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional organizational skills with keen attention to detail and commitment to excellence in execution.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills; able to craft professional materials for internal and external audiences.
• Strong analytical and research abilities; capable of synthesizing data and insights to inform decision-making.
• Technologically proficient with the ability to build and manage efficient systems for communication, documentation, and tracking.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable managing shifting priorities with urgency and composure.
• Discreet, professional, and trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated commitment to ADEI principles and ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; able to influence without authority and collaborate across functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to access input and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to operate office equipment including copiers, printers and scanners. Executes multiple tasks involving keyboarding, telephones, writing, bending, reaching, and lifting of books and boxes of large files and documents (up to 10 lbs). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Standard office environment, which includes fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Moderate noise level, which can elevate with phone calls and walk in members of the public. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple work demands from department staff, and a great deal of customer interaction, and heavy call volume. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.       

 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter