Chief of Staff

Description

Company Description: ARDX is a Virginia-based healthcare management and technology consulting firm specializing in government healthcare policy and operations. Founded in 2006, the organization has grown significantly and supports key agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services through multiple federal contract vehicles. ARDX combines a boutique, one-on-one client approach with deep expertise in healthcare legislation to simplify complex regulations and deliver integrated, high-quality outcomes. Recognized for process excellence with a CMMI Level 5 appraisal and ISO 9001:2015 certification, the company is committed to helping clients drive meaningful change in the healthcare system, including better health, improved access, and lower costs of care.

Role Description: The Chief of Staff is a full-time, on-site role based in Norfolk, VA, providing strategic and operational support to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This individual will serve as a strategic thought partner across CEO ventures, with ARDX as the primary focus. This includes supporting the CEO evaluate opportunities, coordinate execution across senior leaders, and build the visibility of ARDX and brand recognition. The role combines executive judgment, cross-functional follow-through, and hands-on writing. This individual will coordinate executive priorities, manage key initiatives, and ensure alignment between leadership decisions and organizational execution. Daily responsibilities include overseeing cross-functional projects, preparing briefings and reports, facilitating leadership meetings, and tracking action items and outcomes. The Chief of Staff will act as a trusted advisor, supporting strategic planning, stakeholder communication, and internal governance processes. The role also involves identifying operational efficiencies, addressing risks, and fostering collaboration across teams to advance ARDX’s mission and client commitments.

Key Responsibilities

Founder Partnership and Representation

• Pressure-test ideas, surface tradeoffs, and bring forward candid recommendations. Prepare decision briefs and follow through on agreed actions.
• Attend key meetings alongside the CEO or on her behalf. Gather information, capture commitments and open questions, and bring back options for joint decisions. Champion financial and legal decisions requiring CEO involvement.
• Manage the Founder’s calendar and align scheduling with her priorities. Calendar management accounts for approximately 10% of the role.

ARDX Leadership Coordination and Growth

• Coordinate obligations across ARDX’s VPs within their existing reporting structure. Lead leadership check-ins, clarify owners and deadlines, follow up on commitments, and escalate issues that need the Founder’s attention.
• Hold teams accountable for agreed market-entry milestones across federal, state and local, and commercial markets. Give the CEO concise reports on results, risks, and decisions so she can manage through reporting.

Marketing and Executive Communications

• Set website messaging and social media strategies aligned with brand. Personally write executive posts, thought leadership, website copy, and speaking pitches.
• Source, brief, and manage vendors and interns who handle website updates, design, scheduling, and publishing. Review deliverables for quality and consistency.
• Identify and pitch speaking engagements that broaden the CEO's platform, with a preference for paid opportunities. Track outreach, responses, and bookings.

First 90 Days

Meet with the Founder and ARDX VPs to understand current priorities, reporting, and growth plans. Assess how ARDX generates and follows up on leads across its target markets. Recommend who should own lead generation, what staff or vendor support is needed, and how progress should be measured. Review the recommendation with the CEO and coordinate implementation once the approach is agreed.

By Month Six

Effectively run a regular VP coordination and reporting cadence. Maintain a clear view of market-entry milestones, accountable owners, and decisions requiring the Founder’s attention. Establish a content plan for both brands, a workflow for vendor and intern support, and a pipeline of speaking opportunities.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in a Chief of Staff, strategy, operations, executive communications, or comparable role supporting a founder or senior executive.
• Demonstrated ability to move priorities forward across senior leaders through influence, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.
• Strong original writing and editing skills, with samples of executive communications, thought leadership, web copy, or social content personally authored.
• Strong skills in project and program management, including prioritization, timeline management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience developing website messaging and social media strategy and directing vendors, interns, or other contributors.
• Ability to turn complex discussions and performance information into concise recommendations, reports, and decisions for executives.
• Sound judgment, discretion with sensitive information, and confidence representing a founder in key meetings.Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate with diverse stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience using data and metrics to drive decisions and improve processes.
• High level of discretion and integrity in handling confidential information and sensitive organizational matters.
• Strategically leverages a variety of AI-powered tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline executive workflows, conduct research and analysis, develop executive communications and presentations, support informed decision-making, and identify opportunities for innovation and operational efficiency, while ensuring responsible use, accuracy, and confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, healthcare administration, policy, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MPH, or similar) is preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Healthcare management, technology consulting, government contracting, or growth across public- and private-sector markets.
• Pitching speakers, securing engagements, or building an executive’s public profile.