Chief Strategy and Administrative Officer

Location

Collierville - Collierville, TN 38017 US (Primary)

Career Level

Executive

Category

Executive

Job Type

Salaried-Exempt

Travel

This position may require overnight travel

Job Description

Position Summary

The Chief Strategy & Administrative Officer (CSAO) is an executive leadership role responsible for connecting long-term strategy, administrative infrastructure, organizational effectiveness, and disciplined execution across Ironsmith Fire. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CSAO serves as a senior enterprise leadership partner and provides strategic advice and recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors as requested. The role translates approved strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, strengthens cross-functional alignment, and helps leaders monitor performance, manage change, and improve organizational effectiveness. The CSAO combines strategic judgment, administrative oversight, and collaborative leadership to support the company's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

Board Advisory & Governance Support

The CSAO supports the CEO and Board of Directors in an advisory and administrative capacity. The Board retains governance and voting authority; the CSAO provides analysis, recommendations, coordination, and follow-through as directed.
• Serve as an advisory resource and staff liaison to the Board of Directors, as requested by the CEO; coordinate meeting agendas, board materials, minutes, and action-item tracking when assigned.
• Support board committees as requested through meeting coordination, materials preparation, analysis, and follow-through on approved directives.
• Advise the CEO on board relations, governance practices, and matters requiring consultation with legal counsel or other designated advisors.
• Support the CEO and designated governance leaders in maintaining awareness of bylaws, board-adopted policies, and applicable governance requirements; escalate issues for appropriate review and decision.
• Provide administrative and strategic support for board member onboarding, education, and succession planning when requested by the CEO or Board.
• Prepare and present strategic performance reports, dashboards, and recommendations to the CEO and, when invited, the Board to inform its decision-making.
• Maintain organized records of board materials, prior decisions, and governance documentation as assigned to support continuity and informed advice.

Strategic Leadership

The CSAO leads the organization's strategic planning architecture and ensures that strategy moves from aspiration to execution at every level of the enterprise.
• Lead the design and facilitation of annual and multi-year strategic planning in partnership with the CEO and senior leadership; provide recommendations to the Board as requested and translate approved priorities into actionable plans.
• Translate strategic objectives into operational work plans with well-defined KPIs, accountability structures, milestone timelines, and resource allocations for each functional area.
• Monitor strategic plan implementation and provide progress reports to the CEO and, as requested, the Board, highlighting achievements, risks, and recommended course corrections.
• Drive cross-departmental alignment and collaboration around organizational priorities, ensuring that every team understands its role in advancing the broader mission and strategic agenda.
• Conduct competitive analysis, environmental scanning, and sector-trend monitoring to inform strategic decisions and position Ironsmith Fire for sustained relevance and impact.
• Represent Ironsmith Fire in external strategic partnerships, industry associations, community stakeholder forums, and collaborative initiatives as authorized by the CEO.
• Lead enterprise-wide special initiatives, executive-sponsored projects, and priority programs as assigned by the CEO, ensuring disciplined execution and stakeholder communication throughout.

Administrative Oversight

The CSAO is the organizational steward of administrative operations, ensuring that the internal infrastructure of Ironsmith Fire operates with efficiency, compliance, and purpose.
• Oversee the full scope of day-to-day administrative operations, including office management, facilities coordination, records management, IT systems oversight, and vendor and service provider relationships.
• Own the organizational policy lifecycle: developing, maintaining, updating, and communicating policies and procedures to ensure they reflect current best practices, legal requirements, and organizational values.
• Ensure administrative compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements; proactively monitor the regulatory environment and implement responsive adjustments as needed.
• Oversee organizational contracts, procurement processes, and service agreements in close coordination with legal counsel and the finance function, ensuring sound stewardship of organizational commitments.
• Supervise and develop administrative staff and cross-functional administrative coordinators, fostering a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement within the administrative function.
• Identify, implement, and continuously optimize operational systems, tools, and workflows to improve organizational efficiency and reduce friction across departments.
• Maintain and manage the organizational calendar, executive scheduling infrastructure, and internal communications systems to support seamless executive and organizational operations.

Organizational Development

The CSAO plays a central role in shaping the internal culture, talent capacity, and organizational effectiveness of Ironsmith Fire - ensuring the organization is built to grow, adapt, and excel.
• Champion organizational culture, values alignment, and employee engagement initiatives that connect staff at all levels to the mission, identity, and standards of Ironsmith Fire.
• Lead workforce planning and talent development efforts in close collaboration with human resources, identifying current and future capability gaps and building pathways to address them.
• Design and oversee structured onboarding programs, leadership development pipelines, and succession planning frameworks that build organizational bench strength and continuity.
• Develop and implement internal communication strategies and rhythms that ensure all staff - from administrative to field - are informed, engaged, and aligned with organizational direction.
• Lead change management efforts during periods of organizational growth, restructuring, or transformation, ensuring that transitions are planned, communicated, and executed with care and clarity.
• Conduct organizational effectiveness assessments and recommend structural, procedural, or cultural improvements to enhance performance and alignment across the enterprise.
• Cultivate a high-performance, mission-driven organizational environment grounded in accountability, mutual respect, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to the communities Ironsmith Fire serves.

Core Competencies
• Strategic Thinking & Organizational Vision - Ability to articulate a compelling long-term vision and translate it into concrete, measurable priorities across the organization.
• Board Advisory & Governance Literacy - Understanding of board governance practices and the ability to provide informed advice and effective administrative support while respecting board decision-making authority.
• Operational Discipline & Administrative Excellence - A systematic orientation toward process, efficiency, and organizational health with the skill to build and sustain reliable administrative infrastructure.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Team Building - Proven ability to lead, inspire, and align teams across departments toward shared goals and organizational priorities.
• Change Management & Organizational Development - Experience guiding organizations through growth, transition, and transformation with sensitivity, structure, and purpose.
• Financial Acumen & Budget Stewardship - Sound understanding of organizational finance, budget oversight, and the ability to connect resource decisions to strategic outcomes.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement - Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across executive, board, staff, and external audiences.
• Data-Driven Decision Making - Comfort with performance metrics, KPIs, dashboards, and evidence-based analysis as the foundation for strategic and operational decisions.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Eight to twelve or more years of progressive professional leadership experience, including demonstrated tenure in senior management or C-suite level roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading or significantly contributing to strategic planning processes, board relations functions, or organizational governance programs.
• Strong background in administrative operations, including policy management, systems oversight, vendor management, and organizational compliance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences including board members, senior executives, staff, and external partners.
• Proven track record of building, leading, and developing high-performing cross-functional teams in a collaborative and accountability-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects and navigating multiple concurrent priorities without loss of quality or momentum.
• High degree of personal integrity, professional discretion, and sound judgment - with the ability to handle sensitive organizational matters with poise and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Organizational Leadership, or a related discipline.
• Experience advising executive leadership and supporting board-level strategic discussions in a growing, multi-location organization.

Work Environment & Travel

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment, with hybrid work eligibility based on business needs and leadership expectations. Regular interaction with executive leaders, board members, employees, and external partners is required. The role may require work outside standard business hours to support board activities, strategic initiatives, and organizational priorities.

Travel to company offices, board meetings, and external engagements may be required, including occasional regional or overnight travel.

Physical Requirements

The position generally requires prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer; frequent verbal and written communication; and the ability to attend in-person meetings and travel between locations. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting or carrying of standard office materials may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Additional Expectations

Perform other related duties as assigned. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs. This job description describes the general nature and level of work and is not an exhaustive list of all duties.

FEATURED BENEFITS

• Employee Paid Medical Insurance
• Dental and Vision Plans
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) tax-advantaged retirement plan
• Profit-Sharing Plan
• Company Provided Life Insurance