Chief of Staff

EqualAI; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

EqualAI seeks a highly strategic, execution-focused Chief of Staff to partner with the CEO and senior leadership. The role drives cross-functional coordination, operational excellence, and program leadership across a growing portfolio of initiatives and partnerships.

The Chief of Staff translates vision into action, manages high-priority programs, strengthens internal alignment, and represents EqualAI with external stakeholders when appropriate.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of professional experience in chief of staff, operations, program management, or executive support roles in mission-driven environments.
• Experience coordinating across teams, consultants, and external partners in fast-moving organizations.
• Experience supporting senior executives or principals directly.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience working with senior executives or public leaders.
• Ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities simultaneously.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and political acuity.
• Deep commitment to EqualAI’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to develop and advance organizational strategy.
• Drive execution of top institutional priorities and special initiatives.
• Monitor progress against goals and ensure accountability across teams.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and operational gaps early.
• Prepare decision frameworks and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts across programs, research, communications, partnerships, and development.
• Improve internal processes to support growth and efficiency.
• Support annual planning, budgeting, and performance tracking.
• Ensure effective information flow across leadership and staff.
• Help cultivate a strong, mission-driven organizational culture.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and background research.
• Support board relations, including materials, meetings, and follow-ups.
• Represent EqualAI in meetings with senior leaders across government, industry, and civil society when needed.
• Assist with high-level partnerships and stakeholder management.
• Act as a strategic gatekeeper and filter for the CEO’s calendar.
• Lead or support priority initiatives, including convenings, publications, executive education programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Coordinate major events and cross-sector engagements.
• Ensure initiatives align with organizational goals and deliver measurable impact.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Execution focus

Project management

Communication skills

Executive support

Job description

Chief of Staff EqualAI — Washington, DC (Hybrid)

About EqualAI:

EqualAI is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to helping companies, policymakers, and institutions implement effective AI governance frameworks. We build trust in AI by advancing practical governance solutions, expanding AI literacy, and convening leaders across sectors to address emerging challenges in AI deployment. Through cross-industry collaboration, research, executive education, and public engagement, EqualAI ensures that AI systems are developed and used in ways that strengthen institutions, protect individuals, and benefit society broadly.

Position Overview:

EqualAI seeks a highly strategic, execution-focused Chief of Staff to serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and senior leadership team. This role is central to advancing organizational priorities, driving cross-functional coordination, and ensuring operational excellence across a growing portfolio of programs and partnerships. The Chief of Staff will operate as a force multiplier for the CEO — translating vision into action, managing high-priority initiatives, strengthening internal alignment, and representing the organization with external stakeholders when appropriate. Ideal for a detail-oriented, highly organized individual who thrives at the intersection of strategy, policy, operations, and communications in a fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Execution
  • Partner closely with the CEO to develop and advance organizational strategy
  • Drive execution of top institutional priorities and special initiatives
  • Monitor progress against goals and ensure accountability across teams
  • Identify risks, opportunities, and operational gaps early
  • Prepare decision frameworks and recommendations for senior leadership
• Organizational Alignment & Operations
  • Coordinate cross-functional efforts across programs, research, communications, partnerships, and development
  • Improve internal processes to support growth and efficiency
  • Support annual planning, budgeting, and performance tracking
  • Ensure effective information flow across leadership and staff
  • Help cultivate a strong, mission-driven organizational culture
• CEO Support & External Engagement
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO
  • Prepare and/or organize briefing materials, talking points, and background research
  • Support board relations, including materials, meetings, and follow-ups
  • Represent EqualAI in meetings with senior leaders across government, industry, and civil society when needed
  • Assist with high-level partnerships and stakeholder management
  • Act as a strategic gatekeeper and filter for the CEO’s calendar
• Programmatic & Initiative Leadership
  • Lead or support priority initiatives, including convenings, publications, executive education programs, and strategic partnerships
  • Coordinate major events and cross-sector engagements
  • Ensure initiatives align with organizational goals and deliver measurable impact

QualificationsRequired

• 6–10 years of professional experience in a chief of staff, operations, program management, or executive support role in a mission-driven environment (e.g., government, policy, consulting, nonprofit leadership, technology, or related fields)
• Success coordinating across teams, consultants, and external partners in a fast-moving organization
• Experience supporting senior executives or principals directly
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Experience working with senior executives or public leaders
• Ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities simultaneously
• Sound judgment, discretion, and political acuity
• Deep commitment to EqualAI’s mission

Preferred

• Background in AI, technology policy, or governance is a plus
• Familiarity with Washington policy ecosystems and cross-sector collaboration
• Experience supporting boards or advisory councils

Key Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
• high emotional intelligence
• ability to influence without formal authority
• comfort with ambiguity
• meticulous attention to detail
• proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• integrity and professionalism

Location & Travel:

Washington, DC area (hybrid); periodic domestic travel for events and meetings.

Compensation & Benefits:

Competitive salary commensurate with experience; comprehensive benefits package.