About AERA

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the nation’s largest professional organization dedicated to advancing education research and its use to improve education and serve the public good. Founded in 1916, AERA is a nonprofit scholarly association with more than 22,000 members across the United States and around the world.

AERA members work in colleges and universities, research institutes, school systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other settings. Their scholarship spans the full breadth of education research, including curriculum and instruction, STEM education, language and literacy, measurement and statistics, equity and opportunity, special education, counseling, education policy, educational leadership, human development, higher education, and workforce and adult education.

AERA advances its mission through a vibrant portfolio of programs and activities, including its Annual Meeting of more than 15,000 attendees, seven leading journals, a books program, research fellowships and grants, professional development opportunities, public research advocacy, and engagement with policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and the broader public.

AERA’s Central Office includes a talented team of professional staff working across membership, publications, meetings, research and policy, government relations, professional development, communications, finance, and administration. The Association also benefits from the leadership and expertise of volunteer members who serve on the Council, Executive Board, Divisions, Special Interest Groups, and standing committees.

The Opportunity

AERA seeks a highly skilled, strategic, and mission-driven Chief of Staff to join the Executive Director’s Office.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced organizational leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, governance, communications, and cross-team collaboration. The Chief of Staff will serve as a senior advisor and trusted partner to the Executive Director and a key member of AERA’s Leadership Team, helping to strengthen organizational effectiveness, advance strategic priorities, improve workflows, and ensure alignment across the Association.

The Chief of Staff will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with the Associate Executive Director, President, Executive Board, Council, senior staff, and other internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be a highly organized, resourceful, and action-oriented professional who can manage complexity, build effective systems, exercise sound judgment, and move priorities from idea to execution.

AERA is also preparing to launch a multi-year strategic planning process that will further elevate the Association’s role as a multiplier of impact, research and community partner, and catalyst for change. The Chief of Staff will play an integral role in supporting this process and ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into clear plans, coordinated workflows, and measurable progress.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership and Strategic Support

The Chief of Staff will serve as a close partner and primary support to the Executive Director on strategic, organizational, and operational priorities. Responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with the Executive Director to identify, manage, and advance key strategic priorities.
• Helping align the Executive Director’s time, attention, and engagement with the Association’s most important goals.
• Serving as a trusted thought partner in identifying opportunities, anticipating challenges, and developing solutions.
• Supporting the Executive Director’s engagement with the President, Executive Board, Council, and other Association leaders.
• Exercising sound judgment and discretion, including representing the Executive Director’s priorities and perspectives when appropriate.
• Drafting correspondence, briefing materials, reports, presentations, letters, emails, and other communications on behalf of the Executive Director as needed.

Strategy, Planning, and Project Management

The Chief of Staff will help ensure that AERA’s priorities are well coordinated, effectively managed, and successfully implemented across teams. Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the management and execution of AERA’s mission-driven goals, including the Association’s strategic planning process.
• Coordinating cross-organizational priorities, workflows, and systems to strengthen integration across Central Office teams.
• Leading annual office-wide planning processes in partnership with the Executive Director and Leadership Team.
• Helping identify key performance indicators, track progress, and support accountability for major initiatives.
• Managing complex, cross-functional projects and initiatives, such as major convenings, signature events, and organization-wide projects.
• Bringing together internal and external stakeholders to inform planning, decision-making, and implementation.
• Conducting research, benchmarking, and data analysis to support recommendations and decision-making.
• Proactively identifying potential issues, barriers, or opportunities related to projects, communications, and organizational priorities.
• Recommending and implementing new systems, tools, and processes to improve efficiency, coordination, and organizational effectiveness.

Administration, Meetings, and Communications

The Chief of Staff will help ensure that the Executive Director’s Office and Leadership Team operate with clarity, coordination, and excellence. Responsibilities will include:

• Prioritizing, scheduling, and managing key internal and external meetings and agendas.
• Supporting the workflows and coordination of AERA’s Leadership Team.
• Working with the Executive Director, Associate Executive Director, and Executive Administrative Assistant to coordinate leadership team meetings, all-staff meetings, retreats, and other organizational gatherings.
• Supporting preparation and planning for Executive Board and Council meetings in collaboration with the Director of Governance.
• Coordinating agendas and materials for Executive Director review and approval.
• Representing the Association at meetings and events, when appropriate, and ensuring that key takeaways and follow-up actions are captured and communicated.
• Providing communications support in collaboration with the Director of Communications and team, including drafting reports, memos, presentations, internal and external messages, and other materials.
• Providing additional capacity to the Executive Director and Leadership Team for special projects, events, and time-sensitive priorities.

Hiring and Management

The Chief of Staff will provide leadership and support for select staffing, management, and organizational capacity needs. Responsibilities will include:

• Managing hiring processes for leadership roles reporting to the Executive Director, in partnership with the Associate Executive Director and human resources representatives.
• Supervising the Executive Administrative Assistant, HR Manager, and special project partners, as assigned.
• Supporting effective onboarding, coordination, and workflow management for roles connected to the Executive Director’s Office.

Position Details

Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Executive Administrative Assistant, HR Manager, and other assigned staff or project partners
Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with three designated days per week in AERA’s Washington, DC office and additional days remote
Travel: Occasional overnight travel required
Salary Range: $165,000–$180,000, commensurate with experience

AERA currently operates on a hybrid schedule with designated 3 days per week in AERA’s Washington, DC office and other days remote. AERA’s hybrid work schedule is subject to change based on organizational needs, events, and activities.

Compensation and Benefits

AERA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being and growth of team members. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• Federal holidays.
• Annual office-wide winter closure during Season Days between December 24 and New Year’s.
• Retirement savings plan with a competitive employer match.
• Tax-free savings options to assist with dependent care expenses.

At AERA, we strive to be a collaborative, inclusive, mission-driven team with the highest standards of excellence and a strong commitment to work-life balance and personal well-being.

To Apply

Please send the following materials to employment@aera.net with the subject line AERA Chief of Staff:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Names, titles, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references who can speak directly to your skills and qualifications for this position

In your cover letter, please briefly describe specific examples of your experience with several of the skills and responsibilities outlined in this position announcement. Applications will be reviewed based on demonstrated qualifications, relevant experience, and communication skills. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

AERA encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We strive to maintain an inclusive employment environment and to build inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and equity into all aspects of our work.

The American Educational Research Association is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, collaborative, and highly capable professional who brings strong strategic judgment, exceptional organizational skills, and a deep commitment to AERA’s mission.

Successful candidates will bring many of the following qualifications and experiences:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least five years of progressive experience building, improving, and managing organizational processes, systems, and structures.
• Strong project management expertise, including experience managing complex projects involving multiple teams or stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, schedules, deadlines, and project timelines.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, polished, and persuasive materials for varied audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, staff, volunteers, members, and external partners.
• Demonstrated discretion, trustworthiness, and dependability, including experience handling confidential information.
• A deep personal commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive environment and fostering a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture.
• A team-oriented approach and comfort working in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization where priorities sometimes require an “all hands on deck” mindset.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and follow-through.
• Strong technology skills and comfort using digital platforms and data systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Creative Suite and data management systems preferred.
• Experience working in a nonprofit membership association or similar mission-driven organization preferred.

AERA recognizes that strong candidates may bring different combinations of professional experience, education, and skills. Candidates who are excited about the role and believe they can contribute meaningfully to AERA’s work are encouraged to apply.