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.