Executive Assistant to the Executive Director

Full Time

Feb 6

Location: Flexible / Remote (HQ in NYC)
Type: W-2 Employee (Full Time)
Reports To: Executive Director
Start Date: March 16, 2026

OVERVIEW

Work for America is a national nonprofit dedicated to solving the government staffing crisis by making public service a career of choice. We partner with local and state governments to recruit, hire, and inspire the next generation of public servants so communities can deliver essential services.

The Executive Assistant to the Executive Director is a foundational role at a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth. Work for America is scaling quickly, and this role will help bring structure, focus, and follow-through to a fast-moving, high-impact organization. The systems, processes, and rhythms you help build will shape how the organization operates well beyond this role.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and can navigate ambiguity and competing priorities with ease. This is an opportunity to work in close partnership with the Executive Director, exercise judgment, anticipate needs, and take ownership of preparation and coordination so leadership time is spent on the work that matters most. You will help ensure the Executive Director is consistently prepared, well-informed, and able to move at speed without losing clarity or momentum.

In the first six months, success looks like the Executive Director consistently walking into meetings prepared, decisions turning into action without follow-up from her, and preparation systems that others rely on.

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WORKING STYLE AND EXPECTATIONS

The Executive Director operates with clear strategic priorities and a high volume of activity. This role supports a fast-moving schedule with frequent meetings, domestic and international travel, briefings, and communications, and requires comfort operating at speed while maintaining accuracy and follow-through.

You will work in close partnership with the Executive Director, with regular check-ins and real-time coordination, primarily via Slack. Feedback is direct and iterative, with a shared focus on continuous improvement. You will also collaborate directly with the senior team to ensure coordination across the organization.

This role requires sound judgment about what requires the Executive Director’s attention and the level of coordination or preparation needed. The Executive Assistant is expected to make informed calls and escalate when appropriate.

This role is focused on executive support, coordination, and preparation and does not include ownership of organization-wide operations, finance, or human resources. Scope and responsibility are expected to grow over time based on performance, trust, and organizational needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Administration and Scheduling

Manage the Executive Director’s calendar, including scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, and confirming attendees.
Coordinate invitations and logistics for briefings, events, and external meetings, including tracking attendance and follow-up.
Coordinate travel arrangements (domestic and international) and expense reporting as needed.
Coordinate logistics for Board and Board Committee meetings.

Meeting Preparation and Briefings

Ensure the Executive Director is prepared for meetings by gathering relevant background materials, agendas, and context in advance.
Exercise judgment about the level of preparation required for different meetings and briefings.
Coordinate with staff, partners, and external stakeholders to collect inputs needed for preparation.
Draft and assemble concise briefing materials, typically including the meeting goal, participants, key background, and recommended talking points.
Maintain clear, consistent formats for briefing materials so preparation is efficient and reliable.

Relationship Management and CRM Ownership

Serve as a steward of the organization’s CRM, ensuring accurate, up-to-date records for key relationships across partners, funders, and stakeholders.
Maintain and organize lists of high-priority relationships in key geographies and issue areas.
Proactively surface opportunities for outreach, relationship-building, and meetings based on CRM data and organizational priorities.
Ensure the Executive Director has access to relationship history, context, and next steps through reliable CRM records and briefing materials.
Maintain strong data hygiene so the CRM functions as a trusted system for contact management and relationship tracking.

Fundraising Operations and Coordination

Maintain accurate fundraising pipeline information in the CRM, including meeting notes, stages, and follow-up actions.
Track fundraising-related follow-ups, commitments, and next steps to ensure timely and consistent engagement.
Support fundraising operations by drafting donor and funder correspondence for review and approval.
Coordinate logistics and follow-up for donor meetings, fundraising briefings, and events.

Communications and Drafting Support

Draft emails, Slack messages, invitations, and follow-up communications on behalf of the Executive Director, for review and approval.
Ensure communications are timely, well-organized, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Occasionally produce documents and/or presentations for external use.

QUALIFICATIONS

4+ years of experience in administrative or executive support roles.
Demonstrated experience supporting a senior leader with complex scheduling and preparation needs.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and navigate ambiguity and competing priorities with ease.
Strong written communication skills and comfort drafting clear, concise materials.
Ability to synthesize information quickly and prepare briefings under tight timelines.
Comfort following up and nudging others respectfully and persistently.
High discretion and comfort handling sensitive information.
Strong judgment and willingness to take initiative.
Experience at a startup or fast-moving organization is a plus.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Hubspot, Slack and Canva; comfort learning new tools.

WORK FOR AMERICA’S VALUES

Hope with realism. We lead with ambition and optimism, but we are not naive. Our on-the-ground work keeps us clear-eyed when it comes to the challenges of what’s real and what’s possible.
Care and high standards. We move quickly when it matters, and slow down when it counts. We stay focused on the work in front of us, make space to rest, and hold our work to a high bar for the people and communities that rely on it.
Teamwork with empathy. We operate as one team. No task is too small, and we meet each other with humor and respect that strengthens real partnership.
Build for today and tomorrow. We fix what’s in front of us and design for what comes next, creating solutions that last while making room for new ideas to take root.
Honor public service. We believe in the power and promise of public service, and we honor the people who carry that promise forward every day.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary for this role is $70,000 plus benefits. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, with multiple plan options to fit individual needs as well as access to health and flexible savings accounts. Paid time off includes: 20 vacation/personal days, 7 sick days, 11 paid holidays, and 3 weeks of annual office closures (1 week in late August, 2 weeks in Dec/Jan). We offer half-day Fridays year-round and encourage staff to log off by 1pm. We also provide an employer match for retirement savings and 12 weeks paid parental leave. To support remote work, we offer a work-from-home stipend and coworking space options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Travel: This position requires access to a major US airport and a willingness and ability to travel occasionally (approximately 3 times per year).
Work Authorization: At this time, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. All employees must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
Physical Demands: This position requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.
Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity: WFA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit your resume and brief short answers here by February 20 at 5pm ET. WFA will review applications on a rolling basis, and all applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.

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