Special Assistant and Chief of Staff to the CEO

Special Assistant and Chief of Staff to the CEO

SolarAPP Foundation | Location: remote (anywhere in the U.S. including U.S. territories)

About Us

SolarAPP is cutting the costs of the clean energy transition, making it so that everyone can afford to power their lives with clean energy. Our automated plan review and permitting software reduces soft costs by turning a weeks-long bureaucratic process into instant approval. We're already deployed in over 500 cities across 17 states, with more than 120,000 permits issued, representing over 800,000 kW of clean energy. We're growing fast to expand our impact, developing capabilities to conduct virtual inspections once permitted projects are complete. This will allow us to serve governments and contractors with an end-to-end solution for streamlining residential projects. Join a team building tools that enable safe, automated, and instantaneous permitting and inspections for solar, storage, EV charging, and other clean energy technologies.

About the Role

We're looking for a Special Assistant and Chief of Staff to the CEO who can seamlessly blend hands-on executive support with strategic project leadership. This role is essential to keeping the CEO focused, organized, and effective as SolarAPP Foundation scales. You'll manage the CEO's day-to-day operations (calendar and correspondence) while also taking ownership of cross-functional projects and serving as a key liaison across the leadership team and external partners. If you're highly organized, energetic, calm under pressure, and thrive on being someone's trusted right hand, this is the role for you.

Who you'll report to: the CEO

Who you'll work closely with: executive team members and operations vendor leads

What You'll Do

This role balances executive support, strategic project management, and cross-functional coordination. You'll keep the CEO's operations running smoothly while driving key initiatives that move the organization forward.

Manage the CEO's Office & Daily Operations (30%)

• Own the CEO's calendar, ensuring time is protected, prioritized, and used strategically
• Manage email triage, correspondence, and communication on behalf of the CEO
• Handle expense reports, travel logistics, and administrative tasks that keep operations smooth
• Serve as a steward filtering requests, solving problems proactively, and ensuring the CEO's time is spent on high-impact work
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials, and follow-up action items to maximize meeting effectiveness

Lead Special Projects & Cross-Functional Initiatives (40%)

• Take ownership of special projects from concept to completion, driving execution across operations and project teams
• Conduct research, analyze data, and prepare reports or presentations that inform decision-making
• Track project timelines, deliverables, and dependencies to ensure forward momentum
• Coordinate key organizational events, including all-hands meetings, leadership offsites, and board engagements
• Support strategic planning efforts by assisting with meeting preparation, documenting decisions, and ensuring follow-through on action items

Serve as Liaison & Communication Hub (30%)

• Act as a trusted point of contact between the CEO, leadership team, external stakeholders, and board members
• Ensure alignment and clear communication across departments as the organization scales
• Interface with vendors, partners, and key external relationships on behalf of the CEO
• Monitor sensitive issues and provide confidential counsel to the CEO when appropriate
• Keep information flowing and ensure the right people have the right context at the right time

What You Bring

Essential Skills and Background

• Background typically consistent with 3-5 years of experience as a Special Assistant, or similar role supporting a C-Suite principal
• Proven ability to manage complex communications and executive logistics with precision
• Strong project management skills with a track record of leading cross-functional initiatives from kickoff to close
• Highly organized and detail oriented -- you own what you're asked to do and follow through without needing reminders
• Energetic and calm under pressure
• Excellent communication skills: clear, concise, and professional
• Relationship management approach that builds trust quickly with stakeholders at all levels
• Comfort working independently and taking initiative while knowing when to escalate

Additional Preferred Skills and Background

• Experience in startup or mission-driven organizations
• Familiarity with clean energy, climate tech, or related sectors
• Comfort with modern toolsets such as Google Workspace, Slack, and project management platforms

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time role with a competitive salary ranging from $85,000 - $105,000, commensurate with experience.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, vision
• 401K with 5% employer match
• Employer paid short- and long-term disability, and life insurance
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• Parental leave
• $75 monthly internet stipend
• $500 work from home stipend for each new hire

Hiring Process Outline (targets)

• Application period: this role will remain open until filled, and we are prioritizing applications submitted by 1/16/26
• Review applications and respond to candidates: rolling basis, starting in early January
• Recruiter phone screen: starting in early January
• Virtual EQ/behavioral panel interview 1: starting in mid to late January
• Take home exercise: everyone who receives a take home exercise will be invited to the technical interview round, so that they can present and answer questions panelists have
• Virtual TQ/technical panel interview 2: starting in early February
• Reference checks and final conversations: starting in mid-February
• Selection and offer: mid-late February
• Basic background check and signed agreement: mid-late February
• Ideal start date period: end of February through mid-March 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer

SolarAPP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.