Strategic Initiatives Executive Assistant and Department Administrator

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

The Strategic Initiatives Department (SID) is a new and dynamic department within LDF that intentionally and strategically advances an integrated advocacy strategy that utilizes the multiple advocacy tools available to the organization, including litigation, policy, communications, organizing, and research.  Reporting directly to the Director of Strategic Initiatives and the Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Executive Assistant will provide administrative support to the senior leadership within SID. As a critical support to these senior leaders, the Executive Assistant must be able to handle sensitive information, maintain strict confidentiality, and demonstrate excellent judgment and discretion in a fast-moving and high-intensity work environment. The Executive Assistant must have the experience and skillset to proactively identify and suggest areas of support and troubleshoot inefficiencies and other obstacles that prevent SID leaders from performing at the highest levels for their clients and their community partners.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two designated days per week, unless otherwise indicated.

 Responsibilities:

• Scheduling meetings and serving as a gatekeeper for senior leaders;
• Planning meetings, retreats, convenings, and other activities, as requested, including coordination of invitations, travel, meals, reservations, and background materials, as needed;
• Notetaking during meetings and tracking any follow-up tasks and responsibilities;
• Booking travel arrangements, including transportation, hotel, car service, and other necessary reservations, and assisting with modifications to itineraries when necessary;
• Processing credit card expenses, invoices, and other financial transactions for senior leaders;
• Assisting preparation of annual budgets and analysis of budget variances throughout the fiscal year;
• Managing contracts, including the facilitation of approval processes, record maintenance, and final execution;
• Drafting correspondence and/or communicating on behalf of senior leaders with internal staff, other senior leaders within the organization, and external parties;
• Conducting factual research on various topics, as requested;
• Helping to ensure departmentwide compliance with administrative policies within the organization;
• Coordinating with other departments and their department systems to ensure efficient and seamless workflow and collaborations; and
• Serving as a point of contact for the department and its senior leaders regarding administrative and logistical matters.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Minimum seven years of experience providing administrative support to nonprofit executives and managing complex projects and systems operations;
• Highly motivated and reliable with exceptionally professional demeanor and excellent judgment regarding confidentialities, sensitive information, and discretion;
• Commitment to civil rights and racial justice mission of LDF;
• Understanding and appreciation of LDF’