Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama is expected to name Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough as the next White House chief of staff, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
McDonough would replace Jack Lew, who has been nominated for secretary of the Treasury Department.
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CNN reported earlier that McDonough was a lead contender for the job, along with Ron Klain, who once served as Vice President Joe Biden's chief of staff.
McDonough would be Obama's fourth official chief of staff since he took office in January 2009. Rahm Emanuel, who went on to become Chicago mayor, was the first to hold the position, followed by Bill Daley, then Jack Lew. Pete Rouse, a former senior adviser and now counselor to the president, served as interim chief of staff for three months between Emanuel and Daley.
The White House announced McDonough as deputy national security adviser in October 2010.
"For years, I have counted on Denis McDonough's expertise and counsel on national security issues," the president said in a statement at the time. "He possesses a remarkable intellect, irrepressible work ethic, and a sense of collegiality that has earned him the respect of his colleagues."
Before his appointment, McDonough had served on the national security staff in other capacities. He was also a senior foreign policy adviser for Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Previously, on Capitol Hill, McDonough worked as a foreign policy adviser for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.
Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, McDonough graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and has a master's degree from Georgetown University.
The decision comes as Obama faces criticism for a lack of diversity among his top-level Cabinet picks for his second term. His nominees for secretary of state, secretary of defense, treasury secretary and CIA director have all been male.
Addressing the criticism during a news conference Monday, Obama told reporters he has yet to fill all the vacant posts.
"I would just suggest that everybody kind of wait until they've seen all my appointments, who is in the White House staff and who is in my Cabinet, before they rush to judgment," Obama said.
He also pointed to Hillary Clinton, the outgoing secretary of state, as an example of a woman he appointed to a top position, though he didn't mention her by name.
In addition, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano were both appointed during Obama's first term and have said they plan to stay. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, meanwhile, announced her resignation earlier this month.
Obama also must find a successor to Ken Salazar, who announced Wednesday that he's stepping down from his position as head of the Interior Department. With the departure of Salazar and Solis, there will be no Latinos in the president's cabinet.
"I think until you've seen what my overall team looks like, it's premature to assume that somehow we're going backwards," Obama said Monday. "We're not going backwards, we're going forward."
- CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this report.