Special Assistant to the President & CEO

Who We Are:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 240 organizations that promotes and protects civil and human rights in America. The Leadership Conference has coordinated national lobbying efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957. To learn more about The Leadership Conference, please visit www.civilrights.org.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect civil and human rights in the US. Founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference, the Education Fund’s campaigns empower advocates to push for progressive change in the US. To learn more about the Education Fund, please visit www.leadershipconferenceedfund.org.

About the Role:

The Special Assistant will work in the executive office providing confidential, high-volume administrative support to the President and CEO. In addition, this position supports the Executive Vice President and COO (EVP/COO) as needed in managing executive operations; supporting c3 and c4 board activities and communications; leading special projects; and serving as a liaison between the executive office and staff within and outside of The Leadership Conference/The Education Fund.

This position reports to the President and CEO and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

What You Will Do:

Support the President and CEO (90%). In providing confidential support to the President/CEO, the Executive Associate will perform the following:

• Independently manage correspondence and advise on requests for meeting and speaking engagements. Correspondence includes but is not limited to talking points; agenda framing; and email drafting on behalf of the President and CEO.
• Serve as an external point of contact on all events, meetings, and speaking engagements; make recommendations regarding the president and CEO’s attendance and involvement. Take lead in ensuring the coordination of logistics and material preparation.
• Communicate directly, and on behalf of the CEO, with Board members, staff, and others, on matters related to CEO programmatic initiatives and priorities.
• Develop processes and procedures to effectively manage a large volume of emails and requests for speaking engagements, appearances, events, etc.
• Coordinate and manage extremely active calendars/schedules to include tracking upcoming deadlines, events, and appointments.
• Prioritize conflicting needs; manage agency matters expeditiously, proactively, and follow through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
• Serve as liaison between inter- and intra-organizational staff and the executive office.
• Manage meeting logistics to include drafting agendas, providing technical support, and taking minutes.
• Handle the CEO’s credit card charges/receipts and coordinate and oversee travel arrangements.
• Independently compose, edit and finalize correspondence and memoranda on behalf of the Executive Office.
• Coordinate and manage special convenings of the coalition including material preparation and logistical planning.

Support to the EVP/COO (10%). In support of the EVP/COO, the Executive Associate and Special Liaison will perform the following:

• Provide backup administrative support to the EVP/COO when needed.
• Assist in the planning and execution of board of directors’ meetings; draft board communications; and develop and manage a system for maintaining, tracking, and updating board governing documents, minutes, files, folders, etc. Maintain discretion and confidentiality in relationships with all board members.
• Manage a range of projects in collaboration with other staff throughout the organization.

Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Experience with project/program management.
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet research.
• Proficiency in taking meeting notes/minutes concisely, accurately and timely.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and a high level of discretion around sensitive matters.
• Passion and commitment to civil and human rights.

What We Offer:

The organizations offer its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and generous personal leave and vacation time. Employees can also take advantage of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and a retirement savings account.

Salary Range – $75,000 – $88,000, dependent on years of related experience.

To apply, please visit our Career Center and submit your resume and cover letter. Cover letters are required and should be attached.

Telework Policy

Staff may work from the office or remotely until March 1, 2025, which is when our updated telework policy will take effect. The policy will be implemented in three phases.

The first phase begins March 1, 2025; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least two days per month. The second phase begins September 2, 2025; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least one day per week. The final phase begins January 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least two days per week.

All positions are subject to the telework policy summarized above. (A more detailed description of the telework policy – to include how in-office workdays are to be scheduled – is available upon request from People & Culture.)

Please note staff members are exempt from working in-person if they have received medical accommodation or their position is designated as temporarily or permanently remote.

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.