[Hiring] Chief of Staff, External Relations @Khan Academy

Role Description

We are seeking a dynamic and driven Chief of Staff to join our External Relations team. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional strategic planning, project management, data analysis, and stakeholder management skills to propel our organization forward. Reporting directly to the Chief External Relations Officer and working closely with all members of the External Relations leadership team, the Chief of Staff will play a vital role in identifying and executing impactful strategies and processes, enabling our school district, philanthropy, and strategic partnerships teams to operate effectively and scale. As the Chief of Staff, you will be challenged with a diverse array of opportunities to make a meaningful impact on our organization.

• Business Operations
  • Lead the operating rhythm for the External Relations organization, including planning cycles, leadership meetings, quarterly business reviews, and performance tracking against OKRs and key risks.
  • Implement and continually improve organizational systems and processes for goal-setting, decision-making, data tracking, and accountability.
  • Ensure the External Relations team has accurate timely data by working with the analytics team to analyze and surface insights from performance dashboards and guide strategic prioritization; ensure dashboard data fidelity.
  • Support organizational design, hiring priorities, and onboarding for new External Relations team members.
  • Build cross team culture and engagement, including organizing and facilitating leadership offsites, External Relations all-hands meetings, and internal communications that strengthen cohesion and transparency.
• Strategic Projects
  • Lead and manage high-impact projects that advance Khan Academy’s growth and revenue goals.
  • Provide analytical and strategic support to External Relations Leadership in evaluating business performance and new opportunities.
  • Build revenue and impact models to guide strategic discussions and planning.
  • Translate ambiguity into structure - define success metrics, clarify ownership, and ensure progress against strategic priorities.
  • Serve as a trusted thought partner for the Chief External Relations Officer in preparing for board meetings, external engagements, and major presentations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Act as connective tissue between teams to ensure shared goals are clear, dependencies are managed, and execution is coordinated.
  • Partner with Analytics to define business rules, success metrics, and performance frameworks that inform decision-making.
  • Work closely with Product, Content, and Finance teams to align on shared goals, co-develop offerings, and ensure go-to-market plans reflect the needs of learners, teachers, parents, and administrators.
  • Collaborate with the other Strategy & Operations leaders to coordinate on central processes such as: OKR planning, Quarterly Business Reviews, and ad hoc projects.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a strategic, operational, or Chief of Staff–type role within a mission-driven, fast-paced organization.
• Proven success in project management and organizational operations, with a track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives to completion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using data to inform strategic decisions, measure outcomes, and build analytical models.
• Experience in K-12 education go-to-market strategy or B2B go-to-market roles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level materials such as board decks, OKR reports, or strategy memos.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships across teams and levels, serving as a connector, advisor, and thought partner to senior leaders.
• High degree of organization, attention to detail, and follow-through; able to manage multiple work streams and deadlines simultaneously.
• Deep commitment to Khan Academy’s mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, and an understanding of the public education ecosystem (districts, philanthropy, and partnerships).
• A background in consulting, investment banking, or business operations is a plus.
• Motivated by the Khan Academy mission “to provide a free world-class education for anyone, anywhere."
• Proven cross-cultural competency skills demonstrating self-awareness, awareness of others, and the ability to adopt inclusive perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors to drive inclusion and belonging throughout the organization.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Ample paid time off as needed – Your well-being is a priority.
• 8 pre-scheduled Wellness Days in 2026 occurring on a Monday or a Friday for a 3-day weekend boost.
• Remote-first culture - that caters to your time zone, with open flexibility as needed, at times.
• Generous parental leave.
• An exceptional team that trusts you and gives you the freedom to do your best.
• The chance to put your talents towards a deeply meaningful mission and the opportunity to work on high-impact products that are already defining the future of education.
• Opportunities to connect through affinity, ally, and social groups.
• 401(k) + 4% matching & comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and life.