Chief of Staff

Volunteer Role: Chief of Staff
Location: Remote within the US, One Co-Executive Director works in Oakland, CA

About Us

WeVote is a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote nonprofit startup and a celebrated Fast Forward nonprofit technology grantee. WeVote is a movement of over 140 passionate volunteers (starting with the founders) who are building open-source mobile technologies that touch and mobilize millions of voters on Election Day. We observe that many voters are busy, distracted, and impatient. We have a goal of providing a complete voting experience in 8 minutes, including the download of our app ("WeVote Ballot Guide, @WeVote"). More information is at WeVote.US. See Twitter @WeVote. We are a 100% volunteer and remote organization.

WeVote Chief of Staff, Job Definition

Reporting to the Co-Executive Directors (Co-EDs), the Chief of Staff will be a key strategic partner to the Co-EDs for WeVote's programs, fundraising, expansion, and execution of its mission. Operational responsibility will be shared with the other existing senior leaders at WeVote. S/he will need to develop deep knowledge of the field, core programs, operations, and business plans. This individual will lead critical processes and communications to all stakeholders, our OKR processes, and the annual strategic planning process. The Chief of Staff will act as a central figure in translating leadership vision into actionable plans while fostering a culture of clarity, accountability, and high performance.

This is a volunteer position (WeVote is 100% volunteer) and we expect that this role will require at least 10-20 hours per week - much of this time will be during "work hours." 

Leadership & Management:

• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals
• Lead end-to-end OKR process ensuring alignment between organizational goals, team performance, and integrating them into a culture that is both high-performing and supportive.
• Act as the representative of the Co-EDs in high-level meetings.

Cross-Team Alignment and Project Management:

• TBD (meaning, YOU will have significant input on how you work across teams)

External Relations:

• Assist the Co-EDs in managing relationships with key external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and key clients.
• Work with the Co-EDs and marketing team to prepare for public appearances, media interviews, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Coordinate high-profile meetings and events, ensuring that the Co-EDs and leadership team are well-prepared and strategically positioned.

Qualifications

• The Chief of Staff must be thoroughly committed to WeVote's mission (see below under WeVote Branding). All candidates should have proven leadership and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:
• At least 3 years of senior management experience; track record of effectively leading and regionally and/or nationally scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation
• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed

WeVote Branding

• Brand Pillars: Credibility, Connection, Choices
• Vision: A future where Americans are confident and energized to make choices in every election that champion their needs, hopes, and values 
• Mission: Strengthen Democracy one friend at a time by providing tools that connect voters with their preferences and inspire voting in every election  
• Brand Promise: WeVote connects you to elections. We give you the confidence to make choices that support your needs, hopes, and values across the ballot
• Positioning Statement: WeVote creates the connection between voters, what they value, and their ballot through the power of technology and camaraderie
• Tagline: Energizing Every Election

Join Us

Submit your resume and include a brief note/cover letter as to why you are interested in WeVote and our mission. Please include information about yourself and let us know what questions you have. Applications lacking a cover letter may be rejected, or be requested to re-apply with a letter.

If it makes sense, we’ll set up an initial video meeting. Remote applicants are welcome within 3 time zones of US Pacific Time, and WeVote's Co-Founders live in Oakland California. We will read every application and attempt to respond within 5 business days. Our apologies in advance if we aren’t able to personally respond to everyone who applies, or if it takes longer to respond.