Narrative Initiative
Position Title: Chief of Staff, Narrative Initiative
Location: Fully Remote, US-based
Reports to: Executive Director
Hours per week (average): Full time; Average 37 hours/week
Overtime Status: Exempt
Position Summary
Narrative Initiative’s inaugural Chief of Staff (COS) will be responsible for leading the organization’s staff team for strategic performance. The COS will manage programmatic workflows to ensure alignment with mission, provide guidance to managers, and track key outcomes and deliverables. The Chief of Staff will lead on internal management of the organization, in consultation with the Executive Director. Externally, the COS will represent the organization to solidify Narrative Initiative’s presence and purpose. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.
About Narrative Initiative
Narrative Initiative collaborates and strategizes with social movements to transform deeply held beliefs and values to make equity and justice the foundation of multiracial democracy. We see narrative as a core enabler of movement structural and material aspirations. We build well-resourced power centers of changemakers to drive narrative change through action and storytelling. We provide accessible guidance for community leaders, communications professionals, content creators and artists, as well as opportunities to hone their practice, and spaces for collective strategizing and execution.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Lead Organizational Staff for Strategic Performance
- Oversee and coordinate the activities of staff to ensure strategic goals are met
- Design structures and processes to connect day-to-day staff work with the organization’s mission and vision
- Foster a high-performance culture aligned with the organization’s priorities
- Serve as the substantive lead for performance management and staff goal setting, in close consultation with program directors and with support from the Senior Program Manager, People and Operations
- Directly supervise Network Director and Content Director to start, new direct reports to be identified following a staff realignment process that this position will lead
- Manage Programmatic Workflows
- Ensure workflows are efficient and aligned with the organization’s objectives
- Identify and address gaps in program execution to maintain strategic focus
- Implement systems to support staff communication and collaboration
- Convene the Management Team on a weekly basis, staff and program team on a regular basis to ensure Narrative Initiative's consistency and prioritization of work streams
- Regular reporting and ad hoc communication between organization senior leaders and the Executive Director
- Serve as a Deputy to the Executive Director for Program and External Relations
- Represent the organization as needed in network and collaboration settings
- Lead implementation of programmatic partnerships, including helping the Director of Development negotiate partnership terms and address conflict as needed
- Travel to conferences and meetings to speak on panels, articulate Narrative Initiative’s theory of change and program impact
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability
- 10 years senior leadership experience, with management responsibilities, particularly leading a senior team
- Movement building orientation, with an Interest and background in the area of work Narrative Initiative leads
- Experience leading staff management and strategic alignment processes
- Methodical in approach, with appreciation for systems, tracking metrics, and evaluation
- A natural culture builder who can develop strong relationships and resolve conflicts with a collaborative approach
- Comfortable serving as a steward and representative of an organization, with the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
- High tolerance for and ability to work in the midst of change, pressure, and the unknown
How to Apply
We will begin to review applications on April 28, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a targeted position start date in June. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter (PDF) via the Movement Talent Opportunity Board application portal by clicking the "Apply To This Job" button:
https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17422299810570060944hFo
Compensation and Benefits
This position will pay an annual salary of $168,000-195,000 and to be paid on a semi-monthly pay cycle.
Expected travel: All expense paid quarterly travel to domestic-based conferences and meetings
Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees may enroll in 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees will receive 160 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Narrative Initiative closes its office at 2pm each Friday for Community Care Fridays. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year and up to 4 optional holidays. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment. Employees are also eligible for up to $75 per month of cell phone bill reimbursement and may also be reimbursed up to $200 every two years for the purchase of a new cell phone. Employees are eligible for $350 towards office equipment reimbursement and $40 per month remote work benefit.
Hiring Statement
Narrative Initiative is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
E-Verify
NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.