Executive Assistant, Development and Corporate/CEO Programs

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant, Development and Corporate/CEO Programs (EA) will work as part of the Development and Corporate and CEO Programs teams, providing support to CFR’s VP and Chief Development Officer and VP of Corporate and CEO Programs (the principals) and assisting with team operations and initiatives.

The EA will serve as a main point of contact in both the Development and Corporate departments, triaging important updates to the appropriate team members. In addition, the EA acts as a liaison with other departments, especially the Executive Office.

The EA is a key presence for the departments and will work a minimum of four days onsite in CFR’s Washington, DC office, with institutional in-person days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This position requires a high level of discretion and confidentiality and the ability to manage relationships both internally and externally.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Provide support to the VP and Chief Development Officer and the VP of Corporate Member Relations in matters including calendar maintenance, expense reports, contract review, invoices, travel schedules, correspondence, document management, and team building activities. Provide support for Board committees, councils, advisory groups, and other initiatives that are led by the vice presidents.
• Act as first point of contact for Development and the Corporate and CEO Programs departments, acting as a resource for employees and helping them figure out who to contact about various issues/questions.
• Manage departmental budgets, collecting inputs from relevant department members, inputting data into CFR finance platforms/databases, and updating principals and other team members regularly on revenue and expenses.
• Attend meetings with the principals, when appropriate, and take notes for follow-up and/or circulation.
• Manage action items for the principals and assist with tracking priorities for the departments to ensure cohesion across sub-teams.
• Manage department calendars and schedule team meetings, taking minutes, and circulating notes to the respective team.
• Draft communications and/or other documents, including outreach emails and letters to members and prospects.
• Provide a bridge for smooth communication from/to the principal’s offices with leaders and staff across the organization; build important internal and external relationships important to facilitate departmental success.
• Provide project support as requested, including researching vendors and making recommendations.
• Manage guest meeting logistics and greet guests upon arrival for in-person or virtual meetings
• Support both departments with coverage for in-person events or other all-hands-on- deck situations.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred, but not required
• 5+ years of relevant experience

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Superb customer service skills across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
• Excellent organization and multitasking skills, with demonstrated proactive ownership and accountability
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Able to make decisions and handle sensitive personnel information using sound judgment and discretion
• Effective problem-solving capabilities; ability to anticipate patterns and links; looks beyond the immediate problem to the wider implications
• Advanced knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with ATS or CRM systems are a plus
• Experience with budget management
• Qualified candidates will have related experience that required judgment, strong writing and editing ability, the ability to prioritize, and experience interacting with various stakeholders from staff to candidates to executive team members

Required Application Materials

• Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the role.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $90,000-$97,000 depending on experience
• In addition to competitive salaries, CFR provides employees with an outstanding benefits package

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein.

To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.