Position Description

Full Title: Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Supervisor: President & CEO

Purpose: The Forum for Youth Investment is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the President & CEO. This role provides administrative and operational support to the CEO and President. The Office of the President and CEO’s functions include Strategy Development, Implementation and Measurement; Partnership Development; Strategic Communications; and Governance Engagement.

Organization & Background

Founded in 1998, the Forum for Youth Investment is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan “action tank” with the mission of advancing equitable youth opportunities and outcomes through quality improvement capacity-building and policy action across systems and sectors. Our vision is that all young people reach their fullest potential – in education, work, and life.

The Forum is a thriving organization with a budget of $11 million and a growing staff of nearly 50, and headquartered in Washington, DC. The Forum overall is funded by a mix of foundations, corporations, and a fee-for-service contract base. Please visit www.forumfyi.org.

Position Responsibilities

A detail-oriented self-starter with prior executive assistant experience at the C-Suite level in the national non-profit or corporate sectors. Someone who exhibits sound judgment with the ability to prioritize and make decisions. Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and idea. Comfortable interacting with high-level executives. A team player capable of cultivating productive working relationships across the organization. Resourceful, can-do attitude. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Calendar Management

Maintain the CEO’s calendar, including scheduling meetings, appointments, speaking engagements and travel arrangements. Exercise discretion in committing time and evaluating needs to align with organization’s strategic priorities.
Determine priority of matters of attention for CEO; redirect matters to staff to handle or handle personally, as appropriate.
Keep the CEO advised of time-sensitive and priority issues, ensuring appropriate follow-up
Serve as the liaison between the CEO, Forum staff and the public, including receiving and screening communications and visitors, answering a variety of questions with tact and diplomacy, taking messages, and directing calls appropriately for resolution.

Meeting Management

Schedule Executive Team meetings, retreats, and other events; assist in the preparation of and distribution of meeting agendas and materials.
Capture and distribute Executive Team meeting notes and track follow-up actions for increased shared accountability.

· Prepare briefing materials for internal and external meetings,

· Lead a daily prep meeting for the CEO.

Communications/Correspondence

· Assist the CEO in the development of presentations, communications, and messages for internal and external audiences, in partnership with the Executive Vice President for Strategic Communications.

· Complete a variety of special projects, including creating PowerPoint presentations, financial spreadsheets, special reports and agenda materials.

Compose and prepare letters relating to routine correspondence for the CEO’s signature.
Sort and triage email.
Handle printing, mail/overnight packages, copying, filing and email/messages.

Governance Engagement

Serves as the primary point of contact between the Office of the CEO and the Board of Directors, including helping to coordinate and schedule the work of the different committees and groups and providing administrative support for governance meetings.
Synthesize and disseminate board books, working in consultation with contributors across the organization. Lead project manager for board meeting preparation and execution, working across functions and roles.
Prepare initial set of minutes, consulting with the Secretary, the EVP of Strategic Communications.
Organize and strengthen the knowledge management infrastructure for the Board, including electronic filing system for board resolutions and other key decision documents.

Strategy Implementation

Provide coordination, monitoring, and communication of workstreams, initiatives, and projects managed by the Project Management Office (PMO) managed by the COO.
Assist in Strategic Plan PMO activities and processes, including project planning, intake, prioritization, initiation, execution and training; as well as in fostering collaboration of end-users and key stakeholders.

Performance/Character Requirements

We are looking for colleagues eager to be on a career path that involves continuous learning and growth. Team members across all levels of the Forum engage with one another and foster the development of others to achieve a high level of competency in these characteristics and leadership qualities:

· Manages Self – You ask for feedback on the impact of your behavior on others. You identify and follow through on actions in response to constructive feedback. You honestly assess your own strengths and know what weaknesses need support.

· Leads Courageously – You act courageously to make changes that will improve the organization. You consistently drive to successful outcomes and stay composed and positive in challenging situations.

· Communicates Effectively – You communicate (both in writing and verbally) clearly, succinctly, and in a timely manner. You provide the information people need to know to do their jobs, make accurate decisions and feel part of a team. You are able to engage an audience and achieve the desired effect in a variety of formal presentation settings.

· Builds High-Performing Teams/Develops Others – You form and lead teams capable of getting results. You create a learning environment of creativity and engagement. You can effectively raise and resolve conflict with the team. You provide frequent and timely developmental feedback to others and construct compelling developmental plans. You take personal responsibility for mentoring high-potential employees.

· Makes Quality Decisions – You clearly state where you stand on issues, even if it is unpopular. You seek input from appropriate parties before making decisions and still make timely decisions.

· Demonstrates Strategic Agility – You anticipate future consequences and trends accurately. You’re able to align your goals to the overall organizational strategy. You can create breakthrough strategies and plans.

· Demonstrates Business Acumen – You understand and create opportunities to cultivate and

support exceptional partnerships. You are able to make the case for decisions and

initiatives. You adapt strategies and tactics to create a success defined by metrics.

· Influences and Negotiates – You influence others by building coalitions or alliances among diverse groups. You effectively adapt influence strategies depending upon the situation. You’re skillful at removing barriers that get in the way of effective collaboration among groups.

· Manages Vision and Purpose – You inspire commitment to a compelling vision and shared values. You create a climate in which people want to do their best. You’re able to champion change and lead the organization through a transition.

· Think Strategically, Executes Skillfully – You can see the forest through the trees and know how to craft strategic short and long-term programs that are aligned with organizational goals. At the same time, you can’t wait to roll up your sleeves and get the work done.

· Is Goal Oriented – We want someone who is a doer with doggedness, determination, and commitment to reach a goal, and a strong bias toward action. You always find a way to make it happen.

· Demonstrates Creativity – While there are tried-and-true tactics in your toolbox, you explore new ways of thinking and continually strive to create best-in-class programs that move your organization and field forward.

· Handles Ambiguity – You can effectively cope with change and lead others through it.

· Communicates Assertively – As a senior-level communicator, you express opinions directly, confidently, and accurately. You can also be very persuasive and influence the way others think, feel, or behave.

· Collaborates & Values Relationships – You can quickly gain the respect and trust of your peers, colleagues, and leadership team. You understand the importance of listening, asking probing questions, and allowing others to be heard.

· Takes Risk – The entrepreneurial spirit shines through in your willingness to experiment with new approaches and act even though the outcome is uncertain.

· Models Diplomacy – You have worked in diverse settings and teams and understand the cultural sensitivities of doing business with partners and clients around the country. You are tactful in dealing with diverse people or situations.

· Exhibits Professional Acumen – You demonstrate confidence, experience, and poise under pressure.

Qualifications

Demonstrated commitment to the Forum’s mission, vision, and values.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Able to navigate challenging situations.
A minimum of 7 years of C-Suite executive assistant experience
Experience interacting with Board of Directors and supporting governance committees.
Strong critical decision making, project management, and process improvement abilities
Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
Ability to anticipate and solve practical problems and function effectively in ambiguous situations
Ability to identify, influence, and collaborate with key stakeholders to achieve desired organizational outcomes
Outstanding judgement, sensitivity, and high discretion
Excellent computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite
Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
Non-profit experience is a plus
Bachelors Degree is a plus

Working Environment

This is a DC-based Hybrid role (three days in office). Flexibility is required to adapt to the dynamic work environment of a non-profit “action tank” that has national clients and exposure during a key inflection point in the organization’s development. Occasional travel is expected for in-person team meetings and various policymaker/stakeholder meetings and events.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require different tasks. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and The Forum may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

Position & Compensation

The salary range, duties, and responsibilities of this position meet the requirements of Section 13 (a) (1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore qualifies as an "exempt" position. The starting salary for this position is targeted between $90,000 and $100,000 based upon experience and qualifications, with a comprehensive benefits package. Please send a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to: jobs@forumfyi.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If your application is selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly. No telephone calls or inquiry emails, please.

The Forum for Youth Investment is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and drug-free workplace, and to comply with ADA regulations as applicable. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, severe/morbid obesity, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please email us at jobs@forumfyi.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete your application.