Application Guide

How to Apply for Expression of Interest, Chief of Staff

at 80,000 Hours

🏢 About 80,000 Hours

80,000 Hours is a unique nonprofit that focuses on solving the world's most pressing problems by addressing skill bottlenecks. They are highly influential in the effective altruism community and offer a mission-driven remote work environment where your work directly contributes to global impact.

About This Role

As Chief of Staff, you'll be the right hand to the Director of Operations, driving strategic initiatives and building a world-class operations function. This role is impactful because you'll shape the infrastructure that enables the entire team to work effectively, from planning to execution.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a check-in with the Director of Operations to align on priorities, followed by facilitating a team meeting to resolve a process bottleneck. You'd spend time refining the task management system, reviewing quarterly goals, and then have a one-on-one with a team member to discuss their career development. The afternoon could involve analyzing operational data to inform a strategic decision or drafting a proposal for a new initiative.

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🎯 Who 80,000 Hours Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of experience in operations, project management, or a strategic role, preferably in a fast-growing nonprofit or startup.
  • Demonstrates strong leadership by having managed teams and facilitated team culture, including conflict resolution and feedback processes.
  • Thinks strategically and can translate high-level goals into actionable plans, with a track record of executing high-stakes projects.
  • Communicates clearly and facilitates meetings effectively, able to synthesize complex information and drive alignment across stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to 80,000 Hours

1

Tailor your resume to highlight operational wins, such as implementing systems that improved team efficiency or scaling processes.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to 80,000 Hours' mission of solving pressing problems—show you understand their cause.

3

Mention any familiarity with effective altruism or related communities, as this signals cultural fit.

4

Provide concrete examples of how you've led teams through change or improved team cohesion, as the role emphasizes culture and infrastructure.

5

Use the expression of interest format to showcase your strategic thinking by proposing an idea for how you'd improve the operations team.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for 80,000 Hours' mission and how your skills in operations can amplify their impact.", 'Your experience in building or improving operational systems, with specific metrics or outcomes.', "Your leadership style and how you've fostered team culture, especially in remote settings.", "Your ability to serve as a thought partner, providing examples of strategic advice you've given to senior leaders."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read 80,000 Hours' key articles on career choice and problem prioritization to understand their framework.
  • → Review their annual reports or impact page to see how they measure success.
  • → Look into their current operations team structure and any recent changes or challenges mentioned in their blog.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the effective altruism movement and key figures like Will MacAskill.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach improving the quarterly planning process for the operations team?
2 Describe a time you facilitated a difficult feedback conversation—what was the outcome?
3 How do you prioritize competing projects when resources are limited?
4 What operational metrics would you track to measure team effectiveness?
5 How do you stay aligned with a remote team's culture and ensure cohesion?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic application—failing to mention the mission or the specific role's responsibilities shows lack of interest.
  • Avoid focusing solely on your own achievements without linking them to team impact; this role is about enabling others.
  • Don't neglect to demonstrate strategic thinking—this role requires both big-picture vision and execution skills.

📅 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 80,000 Hours!

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