The Ad Hoc Group

Chief of Staff

ABOUT THE AD HOC GROUP:

The Ad Hoc Group, LLC (AHG) is a specialized consulting firm that accelerates growth for start-ups and innovative companies operating in a complex and highly-regulated energy sector. We source opportunities, advance deals, and shape regulations to ensure that our clients scale with the urgency that today's energy and climate challenges demand. We’ve helped companies like Dandelion, Charm Industrial, TS Conductor, Kraken, Stripe Climate, Pano, Gridware, SPAN, SWTCH and many more shape their market and accelerate growth. 

AHG is a team of consultants and advisors with a wide range of professional backgrounds who are deeply passionate about addressing climate change and who believe that building successful energy tech companies is a critical part of the solution. We bring first-hand experience as startup operators, founders, and energy market experts, and put in the work required to empathize with startups, investors, regulators, utilities, advocates, and other stakeholders to drive win-win outcomes. We build authentic, long-term relationships rooted in human connections and a belief that a community is more powerful than a network. You can read more about our values and company culture here.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Chief of Staff (CoS) is a high-leverage partner to AHG's CEO and Leadership Team (LT). As AHG scales toward its next phase of growth, the CoS will be the person who ensures the organization operates with clarity, alignment, and momentum so our leadership can stay focused on clients, relationships, and the mission.

This is a broad, high-level operational role designed for an ambitious, highly structured professional capable of facilitating strategic executive decision-making. The Chief of Staff will serve as a member of the Operations Team (OT) and will manage the process and workflows for Leadership Team (LT) meetings. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will serve as a deeply trusted partner, ensuring senior leaders stay fully aligned and informed. You will also directly supervise and support the Executive Operations Manager, taking accountability for the timelines and health of the firm's operational workflows.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1. Run the Operating Rhythm

• Manage the LT’s weekly tactical and monthly strategic meeting rhythms: set agendas, track decisions, ensure follow-through
• Manage the OT’s meeting rhythms: set agendas, track decisions, ensure follow-through
• Oversee the corporate OKR (Objectives and Key Results) process and timeline
• Operationalize the events and thought leadership strategy, maintaining a consolidated view of upcoming conferences and helping the LT coordinate attendance strategically
• Develop and administer semi-annual client surveys to monitor engagement quality and client satisfaction
• Lead development of the CEO’s "State of AHG" presentation for firm retreats and all-hands — synthesizing financials, market trends, and strategic direction

2. Advance Strategic Initiatives

• Lead the integration of AI tools across AHG, identifying platforms that provide genuine leverage for client delivery and firm operations, implementing solutions, and developing tools and workflows as appropriate
• Manage and further develop network management tools and processes (such as CRM databases) so that the AHG team can build, maintain, and track relationships across the utility, VC, and hyperscaler ecosystems
• Manage the development and successful execution of strategic events, such as AHG hosted climate week sessions, executive dinners, and conference workshops.

3. Support People Operations & Culture

• Own the collection and analysis of consultant timesheets to support operational and staff decision making
• In consultation with the LT/OT, manage the onboarding and continued training of AHG team staff through development and delivery of AHG “university” curriculum.
• Take accountability for the success of team retreats, including shaping agendas and ensuring high quality sessions
• Manage and support the development of the Executive Operations Manager
• Proactively surface themes and concerns to the LT and OT to inform people and operational decisions

4. Own Executive Preparation

• Help the firm’s partners manage their time and advance company priorities by ensuring exceptional and timely executive meeting preparation, including briefing docs, talking points, and background research. 
• Become an expert in AHG’s client work, and coordinate directly with consulting staff to ensure all executive prep docs meet high standards and translate client priorities into effective executive engagement.
• Ensure all members of the Leadership Team walk into every high-stakes meeting knowing who they're meeting, what they need to know, and what they're trying to accomplish
• Coordinate media and speaking engagement prep, including maintaining "expert area" guides for external communications

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Experience: Minimum of 7 to 10 years of professional experience in business operations, management consulting, project management, or a chief of staff role.  Direct people management experience and a proven ability to mentor and coach junior staff.  Strong preference for experience in the energy or clean tech industry. Bachelor’s degree required. MBA, MPP, or related masters preferred.
• Strategy and Execution Balance: Proven ability to operate at the strategic level while simultaneously executing hands-on work. You bring operational rigor by building processes, driving accountability, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
• Exceptional Communicator: Ability to distill complexity and communicate the “so-what" concisely to senior executives and to keep internal teams informed, aligned, and moving forward.
• Emotional Intelligence: A natural ability to read the room, build trust across levels, and navigate disagreement or tension with empathy and maturity. You make people feel heard and bring out the best in those around you.
• Integrity and Confidentiality: Absolute integrity and a proven ability to serve as a deeply trusted organizational figure. You handle sensitive information, executive dynamics, and internal matters with discretion and sound judgment, without exception.
• Outcome Ownership: A track record of pursuing and delivering measurable business outcomes with an owner’s sense of urgency and determination.
• Tech-Savviness: Proactive curiosity regarding modern technology platforms, with a strong interest or baseline experience in utilizing generative AI tools to unlock organizational leverage.
• Startup Mindset: Demonstrated comfort and ability to thrive in fast-moving, ambiguous environments where processes and organizational norms are still being defined.
• Collaborative Leadership: You build on ideas, elevate the people around you, and lead through influence as much as authority. You understand what it means to be accountable for someone else's growth and success.

LOCATION:

There is a strong preference for candidates based in an AHG hub city—specifically Washington, D.C. or New York City—to ensure they can quickly build trust in person and integrate with senior leaders. Up to 10-15% travel is expected for strategic external events and team retreats.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Salary Range: Starting pay for this role typically ranges from $175,000 – $200,000, commensurate with skills and experience. Final pay is determined based on factors such as experience, geography, internal equity, and other job-related considerations.
• Bonus & Equity: Eligible for an annual discretionary bonus targeting 15% and participation in the company’s Equity Incentive Plan, which provides employees an opportunity to share in the future growth and success of AHG and its clients. 
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with 3% employer contribution, 14 weeks paid parental leave, and flexible PTO.

INTERVIEW PROCESS AND TIMELINE:

• Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through August 15th.
• Interviews will take place in August and September
• Finalists will be asked to complete and present a short skills assessment.
• Depending on feasibility and location, final in-person interviews will take place following the skills assessment presentation. 
• We expect to extend an offer in late September.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Commitment to Respect, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity

AHG is committed to maintaining a workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect; have equal access to opportunities; are supported by transparency in our policies, practices, and decision-making; and can contribute fully to our shared mission. We believe that a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives among our team members deepens our understanding, enhances our creativity, and strengthens our work and culture.

We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to any protected characteristic under the law.

We strive to foster an environment centered around:

Respect – Open dialogue, collaboration, and professionalism are expected in all interactions.

Inclusion and Belonging – All individuals feel valued, heard, and encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. We recognize that our differences in experiences, viewpoints, and ways of thinking enrich our community and strengthen our shared work.

Equal Opportunity – Policies and practices are applied fairly and consistently to support equal access and opportunity for all.

We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure they align with these commitments and our culture, and applicable laws, and to maintain a workplace where everyone can thrive.