Senior Executive Assistant

Job description

Title : Senior Executive Assistant Reports to : CEO Direct Reports : None Location : In person at exalt headquarters in New York City (with opportunities for hybrid days); will accompany CEO on travel as needed (approximately once per quarter) Schedule: 11am-7pm ABOUT exalt exalt is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming outcomes for court-involved youth ages 15–19 through an integrated model of education, paid internships, court advocacy, and alumni support. For two decades, exalt has demonstrated the power of effective educational engagement as a viable alternative to criminal justice involvement, equipping young people with the skills, experience, and confidence to become self-sufficient, productive members of society. Serving over 1,000 young people annually, exalt is entering its next phase of strategic growth—expanding statewide to Syracuse, deepening its infrastructure, launching new programmatic initiatives, and positioning itself as a national thought leader in juvenile justice. This is an extraordinary moment to join an organization on the rise. POSITION SUMMARY Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Executive Assistant serves as a strategic partner at the center of exalt executive operations. This role enables the CEO to effectively lead a growing, multi-site organization by ensuring that priorities are aligned, time is optimized, and key initiatives are executed with precision. Operating across New York City, Syracuse, and national and international engagements, this role is responsible for advancing the CEO’s work across board governance, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth. The Senior Executive Assistant is both a strategic thinker and operational executor, bringing structure to complexity, exercising independent judgment, and ensuring seamless communication across the CEO, senior leadership, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders. This role requires exceptional discretion, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage high-stakes relationships and fast-moving priorities with professionalism and care. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Priorities Serve as a trusted extension of the CEO, exercising exceptional discretion, judgment, and professionalism when handling confidential organizational matters, sensitive communications, and high-profile relationships. Provide comprehensive executive support that enables the CEO to operate at maximum effectiveness, exercising sound judgment in managing a wide range of professional priorities and time-sensitive matters. Steward and maintain strategic relationships on behalf of the CEO, recognizing the importance of stakeholder engagement across philanthropy, government, board leadership, and external partnerships. Anticipate the CEO’s needs, identify potential challenges, and proactively develop solutions that ensure priorities and commitments remain on track. Demonstrate exceptional judgment in managing competing demands and ensuring the CEO remains focused on the highest-value opportunities and strategic priorities. CEO Office Management Manage a complex schedule for CEO, proactively exercising independent analysis and judgement in managing access to the CEO, prioritizing high-impact engagements. Ensure CEO is well prepared for all meetings and engagements; prepare high-quality, timely briefing materials for meetings with staff, board members, funders, officials, and external partners. Maintain a repository of CEO materials, including talking points, presentations, and publications Track follow-up actions and ensure timely execution of commitments. Facilitate strong, proactive communication between the CEO and senior leadership team Coordinate leadership meetings, agendas, and follow-up actions. Maintain the highest level of discretion with sensitive organizational and personnel matters. Serve as a trusted steward of information flowing through the CEO’s office. Leverage AI-enabled tools, automation, and technology platforms to improve executive workflow management, meeting preparation, information organization, and productivity. Ensure accuracy, professionalism, and confidentiality in all communications. Executive Travel & Logistics Management Manage all aspects of the CEO’s complex local, domestic and international travel, including flights, car service, accommodations, itineraries, and contingency planning. Prepare all materials, briefings, and logistics required for travel-related engagements. Ensure readiness for virtual participation while in transit, including time-zone management and technology setup. Track and reconcile travel-related expenses in coordination with Finance. Will accompany CEO on travel as needed (approximately once per quarter). Board & Governance Coordinate governance processes including board recruitment, onboarding, and committee logistics. Track and manage follow-through on board decisions, strategic priorities, and governance milestones. Coordinate and finalize preparation of board presentations, reports, and communications. Manage the organization’s board records, including terms, committee assignments, renewal timelines, attendance, minutes, and resolutions. Coordinate logistics for board retreats and special board sessions. Maintain official governance records, including bylaws, committee charters, and governance policies. Coordinate annual board conflict-of-interest disclosures. Strategic Coordination Track and ensure progress of organizational priorities, including multi-site expansion and strategic initiatives. Provide planning for leadership retreats and strategic planning processes. Coordinate logistics and preparation for national convenings, policy discussions, and international engagements. Support the development of speeches, presentations, and written communications. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE Experience and Qualifications A minimum of 7 years of experience supporting C-suite executives Demonstrated experience managing complex executive scheduling, travel coordination, and high-volume administrative workflows Proven experience coordinating across senior leadership teams and external stakeholders Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and social media web platforms Bachelor’s Degree preferred Core Competencies Trusted Partnership: Builds deep trust with the CEO through reliability, discretion, responsiveness, sound judgment, and a commitment to excellence. Operates as a trusted partner who understands the CEO’s priorities, leadership style, and expectations. Strategic Prioritization & Execution: Translates priorities into clear action and manages competing demands with sound judgment. Anticipates needs and ensures consistent follow-through on high-impact work. Executive Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with senior leaders, board members, and external stakeholders. Produces polished materials aligned with the CEO’s voice and intent. Relationship Management: Builds trust across internal and external stakeholders, exercising discretion. Navigates complex dynamics with discretion and serves as a reliable point of coordination for the CEO. Operational Excellence: Brings structure and precision to scheduling, logistics, and workflows. Ensures strong organization and follow-through in a fast-paced environment. Discretion & Judgment: Handles sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism. Exercises sound judgment and efficiency in decision-making and escalation. Adaptability: Responds effectively to shifting priorities and changing circumstances. Remains flexible and solutions-oriented in a dynamic environment. Initiative & Ownership: Takes proactive ownership of responsibilities and identifies ways to improve systems and processes. Moves work forward independently and actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions. Learning Orientation: Quickly learns new systems and adapts to evolving needs. Demonstrates curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary range: $100,000 - $130,000 Health insurance: medical, dental and vision Other insurance: life and long-term disability 401k matching plan: 50% matching of employee's contribution up to 5% of salary Generous paid time off APPLICATION SUBMISSION Please submit cover letter and resume on exalt ’s career page: exalt is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from people who are reflective of the diverse communities we serve.