Description

  
Special Assistant to the CEO 
Full-Time/Exempt, San Francisco Bay Area preferred/Remote 
$65,000-$80,000 annually based on experience 
 
ABOUT GOVACT 
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a fiscally sponsored nonprofit nonpartisan initiative that helps Governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a central platform for collaboration across Governors’ Offices—incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of Governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical issues we face, from reproductive freedom and democracy to public safety and public health. 

Currently, GovAct supports the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, Governors Safeguarding Democracy, the Governors Public Health Alliance, and other Governor-led initiatives and collaborations. Specifically, GovAct helps:

• Build capacity and expertise by connecting experts across Governors' Offices and organizations, tailoring best practices, model policies, and legislation, and advancing other legal and policy innovations for Governors to advance bold policies;
• Develop innovative ideas for collaboration by breaking out of silos and advancing creative initiatives;
• Advance affirmative agendas for Governors to maximize their powers to protect fundamental freedoms and counteract federal overreach; and
• Partner with other nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders. 

More information about GovAct can be found at www.GovActAlliance.org. 
 
THE OPPPORTUNITY 
GovAct seeks a sharp, highly motivated, well-organized individual who loves details, thrives in fast-paced environments, and is a consummate team player to serve as the CEO’s Special Assistant and a core member of the Office of the CEO team.

This individual will be the CEO’s right hand, anticipating needs, playing a key role in advancing the CEO’s strategic priorities and organizational vision, and responsible for ensuring the CEO is prepared, organized, and effective across every engagement. Reporting to the CEO, this individual will be the end-to-end owner of the CEO’s operational support, including calendaring, meeting preparation, day-of logistics, communications, tracking tools, and other projects as needed.  This is a role for an experienced assistant who is self-directed, demonstrates discretion, has excellent judgment, and proactively anticipates and addresses challenges as they arise. The ideal candidate will believe deeply in GovAct’s mission to support governors in protecting fundamental freedoms – and be eager to help execute on that mission in a rapidly evolving and dynamic environment.

This role will require some travel to attend in-person meetings and functions and might require after-hours/weekend work. The role is remote, but with a strong preference for hybrid work in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES 
Strategic & Operational Support 

• Serve as a trusted support to the CEO, anticipating needs and ensuring the CEO is well positioned across all engagements.
• Attend and support the CEO at meetings and events, providing day-of support and managing logistics in real time.
• Act as a liaison between the CEO and staff, ensuring timely follow-through on priorities and action items.
• Review materials submitted to the CEO before they reach the CEO to make sure they meet expectations.
• Take notes during meetings and assign tasks to staff, as appropriate.
• Provide strategic counsel to the CEO.
• Researches and prepares materials, policy briefings, talking points, drafts of speeches, presentations, and proposals on a variety of matters for key internal and external audiences. 

  
Administrative & Calendar Management 

• Manage the CEO's schedule, handling scheduling, making travel arrangements, and screening correspondence with a strong focus on protecting and maximizing the CEO's time.
• Prepare and organize briefing materials, agendas, and background documents for meetings and events.
• Coordinate meetings and briefings with Governors' Offices and external partners on democracy, reproductive freedom, public health, and other organizational initiatives.
• Draft, review, and proofread correspondence and key strategic materials on behalf of the CEO, with strong attention to detail and understanding of writing for different audiences, including Governors’ Offices, partner organizations, funders, advisory board members, and others.
• Coordinates with the Chief of Staff / Director of Operations, Special Projects Manager to the CEO, and GovAct’s Executive Associate to help manage the CEO’s Office. 
  

Other Duties 

• Take on special projects and time-sensitive requests as directed by the CEO, quickly synthesizing information, and delivering high-quality work under tight timelines.  
• May participate in meetings, both internally and externally, on behalf of the CEO.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

We understand that no candidate is likely to embody every qualification below. We are looking for an experienced, strategic communicator who brings most of the following: 

Experience 

• 2-4 years working in a fast-paced executive support or project management role preferred.  
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and deliver high-quality work under tight timelines and in high pressure contexts.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a political, government, or advocacy environment preferred.  

Skills 

• Possesses a meticulous attention to detail and a drive for excellence on matters big and small.
• Excellent judgment and discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with care and precision.
• Thrives in high-pressure, rapid-response environments and adapts quickly to shifting priorities.
• Anticipates needs and sees around corners, staying one step ahead to keep the CEO prepared and on track.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, and competing priorities while adhering to deadlines.
• Comfortable in team-oriented environment based on open, transparent, continual communication, information sharing, and inclusive decision-making.
• Can-do attitude, with a drive to problem-solve, continually seeking solutions and taking ownership of tasks.  
• Prides themselves on being a quick study and an eagerness to continually learn and grow in the role.
• Exhibits self-awareness, demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure
• Shows strong initiative and follow-through, staying with a challenge until it is resolved.  
• Has excellent verbal and written communicator.  
• Capable of “managing up” to ensure deadlines are met and priorities kept.
• Must demonstrate utmost integrity and respect for confidential information. 

 
Knowledge 

• Understanding of public policy, state government and gubernatorial operations, ideally paired with a broad understanding of issues related to fundamental freedoms and democracy.  
• Proficiency with MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Sharepoint); proficiency in Airtable a plus. 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in government, communications, policy, or related fields strongly preferred. 

 
VALUES AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES 
 
To effectively meet this critical startup moment, successful candidates will also bring relevant and diverse lived and professional experiences to the build of the organization and will align with key founding values of GovAct, including: 

• Belief in the power of government—and governors’ offices in particular—to advance bold, affirmative agendas that protect fundamental rights.
• Strong, hands-on work ethic to support fast-paced startup growth and development of a sustainable organization. 
• Political adeptness and sound judgment in handling sensitive information, gaining trust, and working effectively across governors’ offices and diverse partners.
• Collaboration and communication skills to operate effectively across a complex and matrixed network of stakeholders and teams.
• Resiliency, optimism, and solutions orientation to advance a joyful approach to the work, remain responsive rather than reactive, and support progress when meeting difficult challenges. 
• Commitment to equity and inclusion and demonstrated ability to work effectively and build alignment across lines of difference. 
   
  

BENEFITS 
GovAct offers a flexible work environment and an excellent benefits package, including unlimited paid time off, paid parental leave, comprehensive health coverage, wellness and professional development stipends, and a competitive 401(k) program. 
 
TO APPLY 
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to this link: https://airtable.com/app1Sq2XX65cc5jFW/pagLOVe1Ugc0R8MWg/form. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 
 
HIRING VALUES 
At GovAct, we celebrate a culture of belonging and are committed to cultivating and nurturing a workplace of diversity, equity, and inclusion. GovAct encourages individuals to apply for this position who are of underrepresented backgrounds including, for example, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.