Deputy Chief of Staff at New Jersey Economic Development Authority – Trenton, New Jersey

Deputy Chief of Staff

US-NJ-

Job ID: 2026-2243
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Chief of Staff & External Affairs
Various -Newark, Trenton, Camden, or North Brunswick

Overview

Job Summary

EDA Overview

Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA.

Job Overview

• The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) serves as a top aide assisting the Chief of Staff in managing daily operations, strategic initiatives, and personnel. They act as a high-level manager, facilitating the coordination of specific departments, driving projects to completion, acting as a liaison with stakeholders, and serving as the Chief of Staff’s delegate when needed.

$96,800 - $102,850

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a manager's approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Duties

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Operational Management: Ensures the smooth running of the division.
• Strategic Support: Assists the Chief of Staff and other Executive leadership, on behalf of the CEO, in executing policies, managing projects, and facilitating communication between senior leadership and staff.
• Decision-Making & Authority: Deputy Chief of Staff has the authority and responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the Chief of Staff, when required and as delegated by the Chief of Staff.
• Liaison: Communicates with stakeholders, and other departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• People Management: Directly manages 2 support staff members, handles people related duties such as task delegation, attendance approvals, goal setting on behalf of the Chief of Staff.
• Executive Support: Works with Executive and Operating Committees to set agendas, document and track actions and ensure appropriate decisions are made on a timely basis
• Special Projects: Leads specific high-stakes projects or initiatives as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Projects:

• Leads high-impact/critical projects or initiatives as assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Goals and Objectives:

• Tasked with day-to-day support for the Office of the Chief Executive Officer. This includes, but is not limited to, prep materials for the Authority’s CEO, creation of slide decks, scheduling support, and assistance with the even ethics and travel approval process.
• Assists the Chief of Staff with organization support of the Chief of Staff division. This includes but not limited to drafting documents, proofreading reports, and editing work product and documents such as grant proposals, letters, memos, alerts, news releases, fact sheets, reports.
• Advises the CEO, Chief of Staff, Board of Directors and other senior leadership on program activity , strategic initiatives, and priority projects.
• Tracks and delegates commitments made by the CEO to ensure they are completed within the designated timeframe. Drafts and tracks deliverables from senior leadership meetings, including minutes from Executive Committee.
• Communicates with the Governor’s other cabinet members’ offices as needed
• Engages with external stakeholder on behalf of the Chief of Staff and other senior leaders.
• Must complete annual self-assessment as required
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of EDA programs and services, finance and economic development, public policy and governance
• Knowledge of state government entities and requirements
• Demonstrat
• ed knowledge of financing and incentives in economic and community development
• Experience in legislative/government affairs
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Soft Skills:

• EDA Leadership Profile
  • Talent Management: Acquires, develops, and manages high-performing teams.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners effectively across boundaries and functions.
  • Vision-Driven Results: Drives a clear vision and strategic thinking for achieving results.
  • Innovation and Change: Encourages new ideas, opportunities for change, and motivates team members.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of professional experience; proven and progressive leadership experience is required (preferably within the public sector)
• Experience in legislative process, public policy development and basic financial principles is preferred.
• Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience

Software/Tools Proficiency:

• Advanced-level experience with Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel and PowerPoint) required

Additional Information

• Minimal physical demands and ability to work out normal business hours
• Travel expected when necessary for business operations

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

NJ SAME Program

In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here. If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Requirements

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.

#LI-KH1