Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief of Staff, Contest Every Race

at Movement Labs LLC

๐Ÿข About Movement Labs LLC

Contest Every Race (CER) is a high-impact organization within Movement Labs, dedicated to making Democrats competitive everywhere by building durable grassroots power. They focus on recruiting candidates and supporting local parties with funding and infrastructure, offering a unique opportunity to drive systemic change in overlooked regions.

About This Role

As Chief of Staff, you will be the operational backbone of CER, owning the organization's cadence from quarterly planning to performance reviews. You'll work directly with senior leadership to track deadlines, surface risks, and support the development team in turning program ideas into polished proposals, directly enabling CER to scale its impact.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a check-in with the executive director to review urgent deadlines, then shift to drafting a donor proposal based on a program team's pitch. Afternoon could involve coordinating a cross-team meeting to finalize quarterly goals, followed by updating the CRM with donor follow-ups and preparing a risk assessment for the next day's leadership huddle.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Movement Labs LLC Is Looking For

  • Has 4+ years supporting senior leaders in political campaigns, organizing, or nonprofit operations, with a proven ability to manage fast-moving work streams.
  • Excels at writing in someone else's voice, producing clear, compelling communications and proposals that align with leadership's style.
  • Possesses strong operational instincts, able to anticipate risks, track multiple deadlines, and ensure documentation flows across teams.
  • Is fluent with Google Suite and donor/constituent CRMs like EveryAction or NGP, and can quickly adapt to new tools.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Movement Labs LLC

1

Tailor your resume to highlight experience with operational cadence (e.g., planning retreats, all-hands meetings) and donor CRM management.

2

In your cover letter, demonstrate your ability to write in another's voice by providing a brief example of a past memo or email drafted for a senior leader.

3

Quantify your impact in previous rolesโ€”e.g., 'Managed 10+ work streams simultaneously, ensuring 100% on-time delivery of quarterly reports.'

4

Research CER's current candidate recruitment goals and mention how your operational skills can accelerate their 2024-2025 cycle.

5

Include a link to a portfolio of writing samples (e.g., proposals, memos) that show your clarity and adaptability.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your experience with operational planning and performance reviews in political or nonprofit settings.', 'Showcase your ability to synthesize complex program ideas into polished, donor-ready proposals.', 'Highlight your comfort with remote work and managing cross-team communication across time zones.', 'Express genuine passion for building Democratic power in rural and overlooked areas, not just coastal hubs.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Review CER's website and recent press releases to understand their candidate recruitment focus and key states.
  • โ†’ Read Movement Labs' annual reports or blog posts to grasp the broader organizational strategy and culture.
  • โ†’ Familiarize yourself with the political landscape in target states (e.g., state legislative races, local party strength).
  • โ†’ Look up any recent donor announcements or partnerships to understand CER's funding model and priorities.
Visit Movement Labs LLC's Website โ†’

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a quarterly planning process for a fully remote team with multiple work streams?
2 Describe a time you had to write a critical document in someone else's voiceโ€”how did you ensure accuracy and tone?
3 Can you walk us through your approach to tracking donor commitments and ensuring follow-through?
4 How do you prioritize when faced with conflicting deadlines from different senior leaders?
5 What experience do you have with EveryAction or NGP, and how would you use it to support CER's development team?
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letterโ€”failing to mention CER's specific mission or recent initiatives shows lack of interest.
  • Avoid overemphasizing campaign field experience without tying it to operational or writing skills; this role is about systems, not canvassing.
  • Don't neglect to proofread for errors in communication samplesโ€”this role demands exceptional written clarity.

๐Ÿ“… Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Movement Labs LLC!