Human Services & Neighborhood Centers

Job Title:  Special Assistant to the CEO

Reports to: CEO

Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt

Organizational Overview

Footsteps supports and affirms individuals and families who have left, or are contemplating leaving, insular ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in their quest to lead self-determined lives. We provide crucial peer and professional resources and support as people embrace the challenge to redefine their identities and build new communities. Footsteps nurtures a network of individuals so that they not only survive in their new world, but thrive. Since Footsteps’ founding in 2003, the organization has served over 2,000 individuals, and in 2022, we expect our budget to reach nearly $4.5 million.

This past year and a half has been a pivotal time for Footsteps. While we were already seeing a steady amount of growth pre-COVID-19, the pandemic and economic downturn forced us to develop creative strategies to support members and staff as we provide the highest quality care for our hard-hit and growing community. This is both an exciting and critical time to join the Footsteps team as we continue to build out our internal structures and capacity to meet the expanding needs of this community.

We are committed to promoting an equitable, safe, and welcoming environment for our members and staff. Footsteps values a culture of respect and inclusive community: honoring personal choice, different sets of beliefs, and diverse lifestyles that promote individuals’ rights to determine the course of their own lives.

Position Overview:

Footsteps seeks an energetic, highly organized, self-starter to serve as the Special Assistant to the CEO. You will provide overall executive level coordination and support to the CEO in all aspects of her daily activities as well as managing an array of projects, including strategic planning and organizational development, work with the executive team, and board meeting support with the Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information and managing relationships with staff, board members, Footsteps members and external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities:

Executive support:

• Manage CEO’s calendar, scheduling and confirming appointments, preparing materials for meetings and coordinating travel arrangements
• Receive and screen all incoming calls and/or visitors to the CEO’s office and ensure appropriate follow-up to requests
• Support CEO in managing email inbox; draft correspondence with external constituents and document key correspondence in database
• Support the CEO’s fundraising and awareness raising work; partner with the development and field building teams to coordinate, prepare for and follow-up from donor meetings, events and speaking engagements; attend department meetings as needed.
• Take notes at all-staff, senior staff and executive team meetings; disseminate action items in a timely manner
• Assist with special projects in conjunction with CEO and Executive Team, including project management for strategic planning and all staff gatherings/retreats.

Board Support:

• Work with admin team to coordinate all logistics around board meetings including scheduling, managing RSVPs, location, refreshments and catering, technology needs, and materials preparation
• Schedule board committee meetings
• Take notes at board and committee meetings; disseminate minutes and action items in a timely manner
• Manage board orientation process, including scheduling orientation and the compilation of the board manual for new members
• Maintain and disseminate board organizational calendar
• Maintain and update all board records in Salesforce

Qualifications:

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Footsteps
• 3+ years relevant work experience providing administrative support in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Impeccable standards with meticulous attention to detail
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple complex tasks
• Exceptional written and verbal interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, organizational partners, donors, and board members
• Flexible work style with the ability to work under tight deadlines and shifting priorities
• Motivated self-starter capable of working independently as well as within a team environment
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, problem solving and discretion; ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Comfort with “managing up” and holding colleagues accountable
• Ability to work occasional late evenings and weekends
• Proficiency and comfort with technology including Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and Gmail Suite; Knowledge of Salesforce, Zoom, and 1-2 project management platforms (Asana, Basecamp, etc). a plus
• Previous experience in the nonprofit sector, a plus

Location: Commuting Distance to New York City

Anticipated Start Date: March 2022

Starting Salary: $60,000

COVID update:

All staff are required to be vaccinated and are required to wear masks while in

the office. The office is currently open to staff on a voluntary basis and closed to members and visitors. All program offerings and services are currently happening remotely or outdoors. We anticipate moving to a hybrid workplace model in the spring, public health permitting.

How to Apply:

For immediate consideration, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] and indicate your name and “Special Assistant” in the subject line. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply soon.

Team + Benefits: 

You will be joining an amazing team of passionate, mission-driven colleagues. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes: 20 vacation days; 13 paid holidays; Unlimited sick days; 5 personal days; summer Fridays; 12 weeks of paid parental leave; paid sabbatical after 7 years of continuous service;  health, dental, and vision insurance; 3% match for IRA retirement plan; flexible spending accounts for health care and transit; and a professional development stipend.

In recent years Footsteps has further deepened its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion. We understand that each individual brings a unique and important perspective to the work. This is often complex and allows us to grow as an institution and as people.

Footsteps is an equal opportunity employer. Immigrants, people of color, formerly ultra-Orthodox individuals, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, and people who come from poor and working-class backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Footsteps does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.