Chief of Staff

ROLE: Chief of Staff 

LOCATION:​ Remote; Hybrid if within 30 miles of Providence, Rhode Island 

POSITION TYPE: Exempt, Full-time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 10%

START DATE: ASAP

REPORTS TO: President 

ROLE OVERVIEW 

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) seeks a driven and mission-aligned Chief of Staff to serve as the operational right hand to the President of our multi-entity organization, which includes a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Political Action Committee (PAC). This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven, highly organized, and politically savvy leader to work at the core of one of the most influential education advocacy efforts in the center-left ecosystem.

DFER is led by a Chief Executive Officer who serves as the organization's primary external face — setting organizational vision, representing DFER in the broader policy, advocacy and philanthropic landscape, and leading its most senior external relationships. The President operates as a trusted senior leader within that structure, with a distinct and complementary focus: translating organizational vision into operational and systemic success, driving cross-functional execution, managing internal accountability, and stewarding the culture and capacity of the team.

The Chief of Staff reports directly to the President and serves as a force multiplier for that work. Carrying the President's delegated authority on internal matters, the Chief of Staff will lead cross-functional projects, hold departments accountable to shared goals, and ensure the organization executes with the consistency and rigor the mission demands. The COS will escalate to the President on decisions that require presidential judgment, but will otherwise be empowered to act, coordinate, and drive on the President's behalf. Over time, the Chief of Staff may assume direct supervisory responsibility for one or two functions.

THE ORGANIZATION

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s public education system. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through empowering community leaders to support our legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA keeps constant pressure on legislators to champion high-quality public education. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. 

WHAT WE DO 

Support Forward-Thinking Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions. 

Inform the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that serves and is held accountable to all students and families.

Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach, from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

ROLE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

The Chief of Staff is the President's most trusted operational partner — a cross-functional project leader and internal authority who carries the President's delegated mandate to drive execution, accountability, and organizational health across the full team. Where the CEO leads the organization externally and the President focuses on operational and systemic success internally, the Chief of Staff extends the President's reach and capacity, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and that the organization moves as one.

The Chief of Staff is empowered to make decisions on the President's