Application Guide

How to Apply for Chief of Staff

at Tarbell Center for AI Journalism

🏢 About Tarbell Center for AI Journalism

The Tarbell Center for AI Journalism uniquely focuses on supporting journalism that helps society navigate the emergence of increasingly advanced AI, bridging the gap between technology and public understanding. Working here offers the opportunity to shape how AI is covered in media and contribute to meaningful societal impact through journalism, making it ideal for mission-driven professionals passionate about both AI and media.

About This Role

As Chief of Staff at Tarbell, you'll serve as the central hub coordinating across Fellowship, Grants, Transformer, and Residencies programs while supporting fundraising and external communications. This role is impactful because you'll directly enable Tarbell's mission by ensuring organizational alignment, building visibility in AI journalism, and supporting the Executive Director in strategic decisions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing progress across Tarbell's programs and identifying any bottlenecks, then drafting fundraising proposals or social media content about AI journalism. You might prepare briefs for the Executive Director's meetings, coordinate with program leads, and work on the newsletter to build Tarbell's visibility in the AI journalism community.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Tarbell Center for AI Journalism Is Looking For

  • A proactive project manager who can independently coordinate multiple programs like Fellowships and Grants while tracking progress against organizational goals
  • Someone with experience in nonprofit fundraising who can identify new foundations and high-net-worth individuals and prepare compelling proposals
  • A strong communicator capable of owning Tarbell's institutional voice across newsletters, social media (LinkedIn, X), and website content
  • A strategic thinker who can serve as a sounding board for the Executive Director, prepare briefs for key meetings, and ensure follow-through on important projects

📝 Tips for Applying to Tarbell Center for AI Journalism

1

Highlight specific experience coordinating multiple programs simultaneously, especially in journalism, media, or nonprofit sectors

2

Demonstrate your understanding of AI journalism by referencing Tarbell's existing work or suggesting how you'd build their visibility in this space

3

Showcase fundraising experience with concrete examples of identifying new funders and preparing successful proposals

4

Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting while maintaining strong cross-team coordination

5

Tailor your application to show how you'd help Tarbell navigate the intersection of AI and journalism specifically

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience coordinating multiple programs or workstreams and how you've ensured nothing falls through the cracks", 'Specific examples of successful fundraising or external communications work, particularly in journalism or technology sectors', "How you've served as a strategic partner to executives or leaders in previous roles", "Your passion for Tarbell's mission at the intersection of AI and journalism"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Tarbell's current Fellowship, Grants, Transformer, and Residencies programs on their website
  • → Study their newsletter, social media presence (LinkedIn, X), and website to understand their current communications approach
  • → Research their primary funders and the broader landscape of AI journalism funding
  • → Familiarize yourself with key issues in AI journalism and how different organizations are covering AI
Visit Tarbell Center for AI Journalism's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach coordinating across Tarbell's four programs (Fellowship, Grants, Transformer, Residencies) to ensure alignment with organizational goals?
2 What strategies would you use to identify new foundations and high-net-worth individuals interested in AI journalism?
3 How would you develop Tarbell's institutional voice and increase their visibility in the AI journalism space?
4 Describe a time you had to juggle multiple priorities and ensure nothing fell through the cracks under pressure
5 What do you see as the biggest challenges in helping society navigate AI through journalism, and how would you address them?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic project management experience without tailoring it to Tarbell's specific programs and AI journalism focus
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of both AI and journalism landscapes in your application
  • Presenting yourself as needing constant direction rather than showing independent execution capabilities

📅 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

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Tarbell Center for AI Journalism!

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