Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff (Founding Hire) Company:The Stringer Foundation (TSF) Location:India (Remote-first) Employment Type:Full-time About TSF The Stringer Foundation is an early-stage nonprofit founded by award-winning journalist, Yale graduate, and ex-McKinsey consultantAnjan Sundaram . The Stringer Foundation funds and supports courageous journalists worldwide. We fill a key gap in the journalism support landscape by scaling up courageous journalism and nurturing the next generation of brave reporters. We provide three key pillars to journalists:financial stability, media amplification, and safety . Our flagship prize,The Stringer Prize , will launch in 2026 and is intended to become one of the most prestigious prizes in journalism — in line with the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, but with the media reach of the Oscars. TSF is backed by a major core donor and is on track to accelerate fundraising, enablingmulti-year programsandmeaningful career growth .The Role Reporting directly to the founder, this India-basedChief of Staffwill be a founding operator building TSF’s systems, structure, and strategic rhythm. You will translate vision into execution across programs, partnerships, and fundraising — designing and running the operational backbone of a globally visible organization. In your first 6–12 months, you will: Operationally take TSF to the 2026 Prize launch: Manage thejury and awards processes . Leadmedia campaignsand coordinate with partner outlets. Help organizefundraising dinnersand donor events. Build and manage thesupport pipeline(fellowships, mentorships, and partnerships delivering mental-health, legal aid, and publication opportunities). Design and overseeeligibility criteria, selection rubrics, and safeguarding protocolsfor journalist support. Build adonor and grants CRM(25–40 prospects), and deliver 10+ high-quality funding proposals with clear board/donor reporting dashboards. Negotiate and executedozens of MoUswith NGOs, media, and corporate partners, ensuring clear KPIs and budget ownership. Track and reportlightweight impact metrics(10 key KPIs). Managecompliance, accounting, and tax filings . Lead a network ofvolunteers and expertscontributing pro bono to TSF program design. Conduct analyticalresearchto support fundraising and stakeholder engagement.Success looks like:A well-run prize cycle, high-functioning partnerships, a robust fundraising funnel, and a repeatable operating cadence that enables global scale. Why This Role Is Compelling Founding scope & high ownership:Build TSF’s systems and cadence from the ground up. Fast-track growth:Clear path toHead of Programs / Directorwithin 18–36 months based on performance. High-level exposure:Work directly with the founder, board, major donors, and international partners. Mission-driven impact:Enable courageous journalism with tangible, global outcomes. Runway & scale:Multi-year funding already secured; significant growth planned. Collaborative, low-ego culture:Direct access to leadership and decision-making.What You’ll Bring 4–7 years of experienceinmanagement consulting , project management, or a Chief of Staff / Strategy role. Top-tier consulting experience(McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or equivalent strategic boutique)strongly preferred . Experience in nonprofits, global development, or philanthropy a plus. Provenclient-style problem solving : ability to structure ambiguous problems, synthesize insights, and drive strategic decisions. MBA or master’s degreefrom a top university (IIMs, ISB, Ivy League, Oxbridge, Sciences Po, LSE, etc.) preferred. Demonstratedstakeholder managementexperience across executives, donors, and global partners. Exceptionalcommunication, analytical, and presentation skills . Operational excellence mindset : strong planning, prioritization, and follow-through across multiple workstreams. Comfort with technology tools (Google Workspace, Excel, CRMs, Airtable/Canva, etc.). Familiarity withgrantmaking, selection panels, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E)a plus.Compensation & Benefits US$ 2,500–4,000/monthbase salary (approx. ₹2.2–₹3.5 lakh/month; ₹26.5–₹42 LPA), commensurate with experience. Salary paid monthly in USD (not adjusted for INR fluctuations). Significant annual bonusbased on performance. Sign-on bonusfor certain candidates based on background. Additional perks and flexibility based on tenure and results.