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 consultant Anjan 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, enabling multi-year programs and meaningful career growth .

The Role

Reporting directly to the founder, this India-based Chief of Staff will 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 the jury and awards processes .

Lead media campaigns and coordinate with partner outlets.

Help organize fundraising dinners and donor events.

Build and manage the support pipeline (fellowships, mentorships, and partnerships delivering mental-health, legal aid, and publication opportunities).

Design and oversee eligibility criteria, selection rubrics, and safeguarding protocols for journalist support.

Build a donor and grants CRM (25–40 prospects), and deliver 10+ high-quality funding proposals with clear board / donor reporting dashboards.

Negotiate and execute dozens of MoUs with NGOs, media, and corporate partners, ensuring clear KPIs and budget ownership.

Track and report lightweight impact metrics (10 key KPIs).

Manage compliance, accounting, and tax filings .

Lead a network of volunteers and experts contributing pro bono to TSF program design.

Conduct analytical research to 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 to Head of Programs / Director within 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 experience in management 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.

Proven client-style problem solving : ability to structure ambiguous problems, synthesize insights, and drive strategic decisions.

MBA or master’s degree from a top university (IIMs, ISB, Ivy League, Oxbridge, Sciences Po, LSE, etc.) preferred.

Demonstrated stakeholder management experience across executives, donors, and global partners.

Exceptional communication, 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 with grantmaking, selection panels, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

US$ 2,500–4,000 / month base 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 bonus based on performance.

Sign-on bonus for certain candidates based on background.

Additional perks and flexibility based on tenure and results.