Chief of Staff

Position Summary

Bodwé, a Tribally owned professional services company with multiple branches (divisions), serving a breadth of industries primarily focused on facilities, is seeking a Chief of Staff (COS) to join its executive team and lead the Support Staff Branch. This crucial role will oversee the branch responsible for providing shared resources and collaborative support services to all other branches within Bodwé, ensuring seamless operations and optimized resource allocation across the organization.

The COS will serve as a strategic partner to the President/COO, driving cross-functional initiatives and improving collaboration across the organization. The ideal candidate will bring successful experience in a government contracting organization with 200+ employees, preferably a Tribal or Alaska Native organization, and possess the leadership skills necessary to guide Bodwé through its next growth phase. They must be able to see the shared long-term vision and manage the necessary changes to achieve it.

As a Tribally owned company, Bodwé’s mission is to grow the economy and legacy of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. The COS will be key in aligning the company’s growth strategies with this mission, ensuring sustainable and value-driven business practices.

This role supports organizational strategy, change management, and operational efficiency while ensuring executive leaders have visibility into financial, operational, and performance health. The COS will foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the organization, identifying and implementing new technologies and methodologies to enhance collaboration and efficiency.

We are seeking candidates in Eastern or Central Time Zones. Additionally, if you are a candidate outside of the Southwest Michigan area, you are expected to commute into the area for a minimum of one week every four to five weeks.

Accommodation Requests

We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, contact our HR Director (April Hawkins) at 269-927-0144 or careers@bodwegroup.com

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Support

• Partner with the COO and other executives, providing strategic advice and counsel by setting and managing strategic priorities, preparing for and following up on meetings, reviewing internal and external communications, and managing the flow of information.
• Ensure executive leaders have ongoing visibility into the financial, operational, and performance health of the company.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure smooth transitions during periods of rapid growth and organizational evolution.

Operational Management & Organizational Efficiency

• Directly oversee and manage the Support Staff Branch which includes IT, Finance, Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Facilities Management, and Administrative Services.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to support staff directors, fostering their professional development, enhancing their leadership capabilities, and helping them achieve departmental and organizational (shared) KPIs.
• Accountable for the development and implementation of Support Staff Branch strategies aligned with overall organizational goals.
• Responsible for the Support Staff Branch annual budget.
• Oversee and coordinate cross-functional and cross-branch initiatives and projects to optimize business processes, organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop and implement scalable processes, systems, and organizational structures to support rapid growth while optimizing operational efficiency and determining the appropriate balance of centralized and decentralized support services.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Partner with branch leadership to integrate risk management practices into our strategic planning and daily operations.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for organizational processes, including company formation, governance procedures, and board member transitions, to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Oversee and manage the implementation of organizational projects and associated KPIs (e.g., ERP system, cybersecurity compliance initiatives), ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and effective coordination across branches.
• Manage and optimize the company's presence and engagement on government contracting platforms (e.g., GovWin, Sam.gov) to enhance visibility, improve market positioning, and support business development efforts.
• Stay informed about industry trends, government contract regulations, and best practices to ensure the support staff branch and overall organization remains competitive and compliant.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Education, Licensure/Certifications, or Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive senior leadership experience in multi-divisional federal government contracting organizations, demonstrating success across diverse industries. Ideal candidates will possess:
• Experience with Tribally-owned or Alaska Native organizations.
• A deep understanding of Tribal 8(a) contracting processes and regulations.
• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field preferred
• Strong understanding of federal contracting processes, regulations, and compliance requirements particularly as related to accounting and human resource functions
• Demonstrated experience in operational and budget management (HR, IT, Finance, Facilities, Marketing and Communications), organizational development, and strategic planning.
• Possesses a strong understanding of change management principles and methodologies, with the ability to effectively plan, communicate, and implement organizational changes while minimizing disruption and resistance. This includes the ability to assess organizational readiness for change.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple leaders and competing priorities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Experience working with diverse teams and promoting inclusive work environments

Preferred Education, Licensure/Certifications, or Experience:

• 5+ years of leadership experience in human resources in a government contracting environment
• 3+ years of experience using Deltek Costpoint
• Knowledge of the Architecture Engineering Construction industry
• Knowledge of federal consulting in professional service to include staffing, program management, and Information Technology/Innovation.
• Experience working in the contiguous United States (CONUS) and outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS)
• Proven track record in driving organizational growth and scaling operations for companies surpassing $100 million in revenue.
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions.

Leadership Qualities:

• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, with a proven ability to identify root causes, develop creative solutions, and drive effective implementation.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, and solutions reflect the mission and values of Bodwé.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to build trust and rapport with diverse partners
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and motivate others
• Adaptable and flexible in approach, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and change
• Proactive and results-oriented, with a focus on continuous improvement
• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion
• High level of integrity and ethical standards

This position offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a growing, Tribally owned government contracting company. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and interpersonal skills to help drive organizational success and support the Bodwé's mission.

Working Environment

This is a hybrid position that requires the employee to be in the office a minimum of three days a week. When not working from a home office, remotely, or onsite at a project location, the employee performs most of the work in a temperature-controlled office environment. On occasion, the employee may be exposed to operating noise from office or technical machinery during its operation.

Physical Demands

Sitting/Standing: This role is generally sedentary, performing sitting work utilizing technological office equipment, including a laptop, mouse, keyboard, computer monitors, telephones, scanners, and copiers.

Walking: This role requires the ability to move about inside the office to access the required technological equipment.

Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: This role may require stooping to reload printer trays with print paper, moving equipment, and managing cords.

Using Hands/Fingers: This role constantly operates technological office equipment such as laptops, mice, keyboards, computer monitors, telephones, scanners, and copiers.

Talking/Hearing: This role requires constant communication with others in the organization to exchange information, review information, and make decisions about information.

Seeing: This role requires seeing, viewing, and distinguishing all aspects of internal and external communications.

Carrying/Lifting: This role requires lifting up to 20lbs to transport technological office equipment to and from various workspaces.   

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Native American Hiring Preference

Our parent company, Mno-Bmadsen, prefers to hire Pokagon citizens who are qualified and suitable for available positions. For purposes of this section, “qualified” means that the applicant meets the technical and experiential needs for employment; and “suitable” means that the candidate appears to be the best fit considering present circumstances and conditions. Targeted preference is in the following order:

• First, to qualified Pokagon Band citizens; and
• Second, to qualified spouses, and qualified custodial parents; and
• Third, to other qualified Native Americans; and
• Fourth, to all other qualified applicants

Any determinations as to the applicability of the Pokagon hiring preference are at the discretion of each Company President.

Branch: Support Staff Branch

Reporting Entity: Bodwé Professional Services, LLC.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt

Hours Per Week: 40-40+

Reporting Status: Hybrid  

Reporting Locations (if any): Kalamazoo, MI

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Manages Others: Yes

Overnight Travel: 20%