Chief of Staff

About Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center

Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center, founded in 1885, is a National Historic Landmark and home to one of the longest uninterrupted weather records in the world. The organization is entering a growth phase focused on expanding educational offerings, strengthening financial stability, modernizing internal operations, safeguarding historic climate records, and building a long-term future serving both science and the public.

This role is for someone who wants to help shape that future and contribute to a mission-driven institution with deep historical and scientific significance.

Role Summary

The Chief of Staff acts as the operational partner to the President & CEO, turning strategic goals into practical execution across the organization. The position calls for a highly organized, resourceful, and entrepreneurial professional who can manage projects, solve problems, and help build systems that support organizational growth.

The work spans education, day-to-day operations, fundraising, visitor experience, branding and communications, facilities, events, and broader organizational development. The role blends high-level coordination with hands-on support, and day-to-day work may range from preparing board materials and meeting donors to running programs, coordinating volunteers, handling technology issues, stocking the gift shop, or helping maintain the campus.

Success in this role requires comfort both in formal leadership settings and in practical, on-the-ground work. The organization values initiative, humility, curiosity, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the President & CEO as a trusted advisor and operational lead.
• Drive strategic initiatives and track organizational priorities to completion.
• Coordinate projects across departments and functional areas, keeping timelines on track.
• Create and improve systems and processes that increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Spot issues early, solve problems, and maintain momentum on active projects.
• Support educational programming, including field trips, workshops, tours, public programs, and events.
• Work with instructors, volunteers, interns, and community partners to strengthen engagement.
• Help expand learning opportunities and improve the visitor experience for members and participants.
• Assist with fundraising strategy, implementation, and donor relationship support.
• Research potential donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Contribute to grant writing, reporting, and stewardship efforts.
• Help coordinate donor outreach, membership activities, and fundraising events.
• Support relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Assist with everyday organizational operations and special projects.
• Support visitor services and gift shop operations when needed.
• Coordinate vendors, contractors, technology, supplies, and facility-related needs.
• Improve workflows and internal operating systems across the organization.
• Help manage budgets and other assigned initiatives.
• Plan and execute conferences, rentals, public events, and fundraising activities.
• Manage logistics from early planning through completion.
• Lead special projects that advance institutional priorities.
• Provide hands-on campus support when required, including event setup and breakdown, moving equipment, basic grounds and facility upkeep, landscaping, recycling and waste coordination, snow preparation, and similar tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent mix of education and relevant professional experience.
• Proven ability to juggle several complex projects at once.
• Strong communication, organization, and people skills.
• Good judgment, initiative, and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with trustees, donors, volunteers, staff, educators, and community partners.
• Willingness to handle both strategic leadership work and practical operational tasks.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Preferred background in one or more of the following: nonprofit management; museum, science center, or cultural institution operations; education or public programming; historic sites or environmental organizations; project or operations management; event planning; fundraising and development; marketing and communications; volunteer management; technology implementation or organizational systems.

Who Will Succeed in This Role

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, adaptable, detail-focused, and highly organized. They should be comfortable managing many moving parts at once, work well with trustees, donors, educators, scientists, volunteers, and visitors, and be confident taking initiative and making decisions. This position suits someone who is willing to do whatever is needed to advance the mission.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit a cover letter explaining their interest, a résumé or curriculum vitae, and three professional references.

Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center encourages applications from candidates with varied backgrounds and career paths. People who are excited about the opportunity but do not meet every listed qualification are still encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Work Arrangement

This is an in-person position based in Milton, Massachusetts. Although the role is listed as full-time, exceptional part-time candidates may also be considered.