Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff (f/m/d)

heimatwurzeln e.V. | Remote within Germany | Full-time

About heimatwurzeln e.V.

heimatwurzeln e.V. is a non-profit organization promoting environmental and climate protection from a conservative perspective. We engage the civic-minded centre-right electorate in Germany and foster bottom-up solutions rooted in traditional values, attachment to place, family, and nation.

Our mission is to foster a broad political consensus on climate action and to enable society to implement practical, enduring solutions. We work with local civic organisations, recognizing their vital role in safeguarding natural heritage, respecting long-standing traditions, and ensuring stable, long-term environmental outcomes. We support market-based and community-led solutions that balance economic vitality with environmental stewardship. As we grow, we are strengthening our internal team and expanding our contribution to the wider community. The Chief of Staff will help ensure alignment and momentum across the organisation.

heimatwurzeln e.V. brings its mission to life through campaigns combining practical solutions and community engagement. Deutsche Energie highlights how renewable energy strengthens regional economies, ensures reliable supply, and benefits citizens and businesses. LandPerspektiven gives farmers a voice and promotes practical regional environmental solutions. Lecker, nachhaltig & von nebenan fosters awareness and connection between citizens and farmers through courses on gardening, agriculture, and nutrition.

Role Summary

The Chief of Staff (CoS) will act as the strategic deputy to the Executive Director, bringing structure and follow-through to leadership priorities and translating vision into actionable plans. This role suits someone who thrives in influence-based environments, enjoys connecting people and ideas, and supports collaboration across programs, partnerships, and leadership.

Your Responsibilities

Strategic Partner to the Executive Director

• Serve as a trusted thought partner, shaping priorities and ensuring follow-through

• Support leadership coordination, clarifying responsibilities and timelines

• Represent the ED internally and externally as needed

• Lead or support strategic, cross-cutting initiatives and special projects

Strengthening Organisational Routines & Capacity

• Support planning, governance, and performance check-ins

• Facilitate conversations on role clarity, decision-making, and structure

• Work with ED, COO, and Strategy Director on recruitment, onboarding, and leadership development

• Improve internal communication and culture

• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans with milestones and ownership

Ecosystem Alignment & External Engagement

• Map key ecosystem actors and support engagement with ED and Strategy Director

• Prepare briefings, materials, and alignment processes

• Ensure internal priorities and external messaging align

• Follow up on meetings, convenings, and stakeholder engagements

Network Learning & Shared Practice

• Document organisational learning and strengthening processes

• Help develop playbooks, templates, and tools for the network

About You & Experience

You are a strategic operator who thrives at the intersection of vision, execution, and collaboration. You bring clarity, structure, and thoughtful judgement to complex challenges, helping teams align and move forward with confidence. Grounded and pragmatic, you combine strong analytical skills with excellent relational intelligence, making you a trusted partner for leaders and colleagues alike. You enjoy building systems, shaping governance routines, and turning ideas into actionable results.

What You Bring (Must-Haves):

• 5+ years in strategy, organisational development, or leadership roles.

• Experience as a Chief of Staff, senior deputy, or similar position.

• Proven ability to create systems, governance processes, and collaborative ways of working.

• Comfort operating across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Exceptional communication, writing, facilitation, and mentoring skills.

• Fluent German, with excellent English - C1.

Desirable Experience (Nice-to-Haves):

• Experience in ecosystem-building, multi-country or networked organisations.

• Exposure to hybrid nonprofit/for-profit models, civic engagement, or values-driven environmental work

Why Join & What We Offer

• Purposeful work shaping a young, mission-driven organisation

• Fully remote with occasional travel for team events

• Flexible, family-friendly hours supporting work-life balance

• Supportive, collaborative culture

• Opportunities to engage with civic organisations and partners

• Contribute to environmental challenges through a values-aligned, bottom-up approach

• Help build a young institution with long-term purpose and impact

• Competitive non-profit sector pay
  

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory selection process.