Chief of Staff

Ellevation•Boston, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Staff partners with the CEO to keep Ellevation connected, informed, and aligned. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the leadership team, this role leads culture strategy and internal communications, supports the R&D organization, and acts as a liaison between the CEO and employees. The role is focused on ensuring leadership updates are clear, feedback loops remain active, and employees understand company priorities and feel part of an intentional, energizing culture. The Chief of Staff owns internal communications, including all-company meetings, CEO messages, and a regular cadence of updates through Slack, email, and live forums. The role also leads communications for important company announcements and changes, helping leaders anticipate questions and communicate difficult news clearly and thoughtfully. In partnership with the people team and executive team, the Chief of Staff builds a culture centered on belonging and employee engagement. Responsibilities include defining the purpose of in-office days, planning team and company gatherings, overseeing the annual all-company event and leadership offsites, bringing values to life through recognition, rituals, and onboarding, and supporting leadership development. The role manages the Culture & Events Manager. As a trusted CEO advisor, the Chief of Staff manages information flow to and from the executive office, represents the leadership team in meetings when needed, coordinates leadership agendas and follow-up, and helps identify important issues to address. The role drives special projects from concept through execution and partners with the Chief Product Technology Officer on culture and execution initiatives across R&D. The position requires regular work from the office and travel for leadership offsites, company gatherings, and occasional meetings with Curriculum Associates. Ellevation offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits. The stated salary range is $110,000–$130,000 per year.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in roles such as chief of staff, internal communications, strategy and operations, or program leadership.
Experience working closely with senior executives and earning their trust through discretion, directness, and reliability.
Exceptional writing and communication skills, including the ability to turn complex decisions into clear, warm, and honest messages.
A track record of building culture and engagement programs that employees value.
Familiarity with product development sufficient to partner credibly with product and engineering leaders.
Strong emotional intelligence and ability to connect with people across levels and teams.
Ability to identify when teams are becoming disconnected and raise difficult topics with senior leaders.
Strong project management and execution skills.
Entrepreneurial, energetic approach and high ethical standards.
Commitment to championing Ellevation’s culture and core values.
Deep curiosity about the company’s customers.
Willingness to work from the office regularly and travel for leadership offsites, company gatherings, and occasional meetings with Curriculum Associates.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a growing software or education company.
Experience at a company operating within a larger parent organization.
An education background is not required.

Responsibilities

Own internal communications so employees understand company strategy, progress, and their role in it.
Plan and produce all-company meetings, write and edit CEO messages, and establish a regular cadence of updates across Slack, email, and live forums.
Lead communications for company announcements and changes, helping leaders anticipate questions and communicate difficult news with clarity and care.
Partner with the people team and executive team to build an inclusive culture that reflects the company’s commitment to belonging and employee engagement.
Define the purpose of in-office days and design team and company gatherings that foster connection.
Oversee planning of the annual all-company event and leadership offsites.
Bring company values to life through recognition, rituals, and onboarding, and support leadership development initiatives.
Manage the Culture & Events Manager.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and manage the flow of information to and from the executive office.
Represent the leadership team in meetings when needed.
Coordinate leadership team agendas and follow-up, and provide input on important issues for the organization to address.
Drive special projects from concept to execution, including project plans, milestone tracking, and coordination across involved teams.
Partner with the Chief Product Technology Officer on culture and execution initiatives across R&D.
Complete a company listening tour and learn about Ellevation, its products, customers, market, business systems, and culture.
Evaluate how the leadership team communicates information across the company and recommend improvements.
Establish an ongoing employee feedback loop and develop a vision for hybrid work.
Build lasting systems for communications and culture, and deliver an all-company gathering and leadership offsite.