Application Guide

How to Apply for Deputy Chief of Staff

at Brookings Institution

🏢 About Brookings Institution

The Brookings Institution is a prestigious nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., known for its in-depth research and policy recommendations on global issues. Working here offers the chance to collaborate with leading experts and influence policy decisions that shape society. As a remote employee, you'll join a diverse and mission-driven team committed to producing high-impact, independent research.

About This Role

As Deputy Chief of Staff, you'll be a key strategic partner to the Chief of Staff, helping to drive the organization's priorities and ensure smooth operations across departments. This role is pivotal in translating leadership vision into actionable plans, coordinating complex projects, and fostering alignment between teams. Your work will directly enable Brookings to achieve its mission of conducting research that leads to new policy ideas.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day by reviewing emails and Slack messages from the Chief of Staff and department leads, then attend a virtual stand-up to align on priorities. You might spend the morning coordinating a cross-departmental project timeline, followed by an afternoon meeting with a research team to discuss a new initiative. The day often includes drafting memos, preparing briefing materials for the Chief of Staff, and checking in with team members to ensure progress on key deliverables.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Brookings Institution Is Looking For

  • A seasoned professional with 5+ years in senior administrative or strategic roles, ideally in a nonprofit, think tank, or policy environment.
  • Exceptional project manager who can juggle multiple cross-departmental initiatives, set clear milestones, and drive results.
  • Outstanding communicator with the ability to distill complex information for diverse audiences and facilitate collaboration between leadership and teams.
  • Proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment and can anticipate needs before they arise.

📝 Tips for Applying to Brookings Institution

1

Tailor your resume to highlight strategic planning and cross-functional project management experience, using metrics to show impact (e.g., 'Led a cross-departmental initiative that reduced reporting time by 20%').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to Brookings' mission of 'quality, independence, and impact'—mention specific research areas or reports that resonate with you.

3

Since the role is remote, emphasize your experience with virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Asana, Zoom) and your ability to build relationships and maintain alignment without in-person interaction.

4

Research Brookings' current strategic priorities (e.g., their recent 'Big Ideas for America' initiative) and suggest how you could support them in your application.

5

Prepare a concise, one-page summary of a complex project you managed, detailing your role, challenges, outcomes, and how you coordinated across teams.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your ability to translate high-level strategy into operational plans and manage competing priorities.', 'Specific examples of coordinating cross-departmental projects and ensuring stakeholder alignment.', "Your familiarity with Brookings' work and how your skills can advance their mission.", 'Your experience thriving in a remote or distributed team environment, with concrete examples of communication and collaboration practices.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Brookings' current research priorities and recent publications, especially those related to your areas of interest.
  • → Understand the organizational structure: who reports to the Chief of Staff and how the Deputy role fits in.
  • → Read about Brookings' remote work culture and any tools or practices they emphasize for virtual collaboration.
  • → Look into the Chief of Staff's background and leadership style to anticipate how you can best support them.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach aligning multiple departments around a new strategic initiative?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex project with conflicting priorities. How did you ensure success?
3 How do you build trust and communicate effectively with senior leaders and team members in a remote setting?
4 What experience do you have with policy research or think tanks, and why are you interested in Brookings specifically?
5 How would you handle a situation where a key stakeholder is resistant to a change you're implementing?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Brookings or its mission—it will be immediately apparent.
  • Overemphasizing administrative tasks (e.g., scheduling) without highlighting strategic project management and leadership.
  • Failing to address remote work experience or skills—assuming it's the same as in-person collaboration.

📅 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 Brookings Institution!

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