Chief of Staff

Philadelphia Youth Basketball, Inc. (PYB) was launched in June 2015 with a mission to create transformative opportunities for thousands of young people especially those from under-resourced families and communities to reach their full potential as students, athletes, and positive leaders. Built of, by, for, and with the communities we serve, PYB leverages the iconic game of basketball to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people can develop the skill sets and mindsets they need to succeed on the court, in the classroom, in their careers, and throughout their lives. A diverse and impassioned network of leaders from the grassroots to the treetops has worked diligently to build a robust and sustainable organization, impactful programming, and the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center, a state-of-the-art youth development and community empowerment hub that expands PYB’s reach and impact across Philadelphia.

We envision a city in which all youth are supported, empowered, and thriving. As a leader in youth self-determination and workforce development, PYB strives to drive sustained, positive, generational change in the lives of young people and their communities.

Guiding this work are six key tenets of our Community Agreement, which are deeply embedded into our culture and programs:
Trust – We believe in each other and work to form positive relationships.
Safe Space – We take responsibility for creating judgment-free environments where everyone feels welcome.
Teamwork – We find strength in our peers and honor every role on the team.
Integrity – We value honesty and equity, and we take responsibility to repair relationships when necessary.
Care – We show empathy by protecting the health and well-being of each other and our space.
Respect – We honor each person and treat them with dignity, striving to treat others how they wish to be treated.

Together, these principles shape PYB’s “bigger than basketball” culture, ensuring that every program advances both athletic and personal growth.

Our values serve as the compass for all decisions and actions. Rooted in the three-word phrase “Voice, Value, and Visibility,” these values reflect what PYB honors in all members of its community and define how we operate, interact, and grow together.

Programs
PYB delivers a wide range of holistic programs that intentionally blend basketball with enrichment opportunities to support young people from early childhood through young adulthood. Each program is designed not only to provide safe spaces for play and growth, but also to embed five core components:
Social-emotional learning
Basketball culture and exposure
Learning enrichment
Mental health and physical wellness
Career and future readiness

Through PYB’s “Kinder to Career” pipeline, young people are guided through experiences that promote short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes:
Short-term outcomes include feeling valued, forming positive relationships with caring adults, and engaging in joyful, structured environments.
Intermediate outcomes include developing positive identity, self-confidence, communication skills, and workforce readiness.
Long-term outcomes include thriving and self-determination, community collaboration and connection, and economic mobility.

Workshops in entrepreneurship, STEM, music, and financial literacy help youth explore their interests and develop practical skills, while PYB’s academies and partnership programs strengthen academic success and leadership capacity by coupling basketball training with enrichment activities.

The Sixth Man Center
Located in the Nicetown neighborhood of North Philadelphia, the 100,000-square-foot Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center is a world-class facility designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for youth, caregivers, and community members to access basketball and non-basketball programming.

The Center functions as a dynamic hub for learning, recreation, and community engagement, offering cutting-edge amenities that foster academic, intellectual, social, emotional, civic, and vocational development. It stands as a symbol of empowerment, designed to transform lives and strengthen the community for generations to come.

PYB is now embarking on the next phase of its growth — the construction of a second building, adjacent to the Sixth Man Center. This project, a Generator of Career Development and Economic Opportunity, will support and expand PYB’s Kinder to Career model, enabling thousands of young adults to build meaningful careers and achieve economic mobility.
For more information, visit www.phillyyouthbasketball.org.

Core Work Scope & Responsibilities
The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic thought partner and right-hand to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ensuring organizational alignment, integration of key work streams, and effective execution of strategic initiatives. This position enhances executive efficiency by translating vision into operational plans, fostering accountability, and embedding best practices in nonprofit management.

The Chief of Staff is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, which includes the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Mission Officer, Vice Presidents of Basketball, Development, Programming, and Earned Revenue. The position directly supervises the Manager of Strategy and may oversee additional administrative or project staff as needed.

PYB and its Sixth Man Center operate seven days a week, fifteen hours a day. As such, the Chief of Staff, like all members of the Senior Leadership Team, is expected to work 40–50 hours per week, primarily onsite, with occasional evenings and weekends to remain fully informed about programming and operations during peak hours.

• Experience – Minimum of 7–10 years in project management, execution/operations, strategic management, nonprofit leadership, or executive-level support.
• Strategic Execution & Operations – Strong command of systems, processes, and organizational infrastructure; disciplined approach to execution, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Project Management – Proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder initiatives from start to finish, using tools and frameworks to set priorities, track progress, and deliver outcomes.
• Leadership & Influence – Ability to partner closely with the CEO and senior leaders; skilled at leading through influence across teams without direct authority and managing diverse personalities and sensitive dynamics.
• Change Management – Experience leading or supporting organizational transitions, strategic shifts, or growth initiatives with minimal disruption.
• Communication Skills – Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to synthesize complex information clearly and diplomatically, building alignment and driving accountability.
• Relationship-Building – Strong relationship-building and diplomacy skills; able to cultivate trust and sustained collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Judgment – Detail-oriented, solutions-oriented mindset; exercises sound judgment and prompt responsiveness in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Nonprofit Program Experience (Preferred) – Experience with nonprofit program design, implementation, and evaluation is a plus.

Key Personal Characteristics

• Able to build deep trust with the CEO and serve as an extension of their leadership.
• Sees patterns, connects dots across departments, and designs systems that support strategic goals.
• Empathetic, self-aware, and discreet; navigates complex interpersonal dynamics with professionalism.
• Comfortable shifting between big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and hold teams accountable to outcomes.
• Builds alignment across teams and leads with influence rather than authority.
• Cultivates strong, trusting relationships with peers; prioritizes organizational outcomes over personal recognition.
• Deeply connected to PYB’s mission and energized by community-based work and outcomes.

Specific duties may evolve based on organizational needs.

• Partner with the CEO to translate high-level vision into structured plans, timelines, and measurable objectives (KPIs).
• Lead and prioritize the implementation of key organizational initiatives, ensuring alignment and consistent execution.
• Serve as a central integrator across PYB, navigating critical issues, complexities, and opportunities while driving timely resolution.
• Strengthen cohesion and leadership development within the Senior Leadership Team, particularly during times of transition or organizational growth.
• Work closely with team leaders to operationalize strategic processes across departments.
• Lead through influence, fostering collaboration and accountability across departments.

Executive & Strategic Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the CEO, clarifying priorities and maintaining focus on high-impact initiatives.
• Drive the development and execution of PYB’s annual operating plan, ensuring clarity of objectives and accountability across teams.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to refine and advance PYB’s strategic vision.
• Support change management processes that promote growth while preserving organizational culture and morale.
• Coordinate and monitor progress toward strategic goals, identifying risks and opportunities proactively.
• Partner with the CEO and Board to lead future strategic planning initiatives and ensure long-term organizational alignment.

Internal Communications & Meeting Management

• Develop and distribute consistent internal communications reflecting leadership priorities, organizational updates, and key initiatives.
• Draft and manage agendas for Senior Leadership Team meetings, Board meetings, and ad hoc strategic sessions.
• Track follow-ups and ensure timely completion of meeting deliverables and action items.

Board Engagement & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison between staff, leadership, and the Board, promoting alignment, accountability, and transparent communication.
• Manage preparation of Board materials, presentations, and reports, ensuring timely communication and engagement.
• Partner with the Board Governance and Nominating Committee to lead work related to Board rotations, recruitment, and onboarding.
• Strengthen Board engagement strategies, ensuring members are well-informed, aligned, and meaningfully contributing to PYB’s mission.

Organizational Efficiency & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Promote organizational alignment and morale through transparent communication and responsive leadership.
• Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks, supporting teams in developing efficient cross-departmental processes.
• Drive operational excellence and consistency in organizational execution.
• Lead cross-functional projects and emerging initiatives, ensuring timely progress and alignment with PYB’s strategic objectives.
• Partner with the Chief Mission Officer to uphold and reinforce PYB’s culture and values in organizational decision-making and communications.

Grant & Program Administration Support

• Support coordination of grant timelines, deliverables, and reporting across the Development, Program, Operations, Strategy, and Finance teams.
• Collaborate with these departments to track progress, ensure compliance, and report outcomes aligned with grant and funder requirements.