Special Assistant to Chief Operating Officer

PLUS Communications, a public affairs firm based in Arlington, VA, is looking for a Special Assistant to join its growing Operations team. This position will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who will play a crucial role in the smooth function of the overall office administration. This is a great opportunity for someone with a few years of office experience who is looking to grow in a fast-paced work environment and serve as the COO’s right-hand person. This role provides a lot of insight into the running of the business and client service management. 

Specifically, the Special Assistant will: 

• Own all day-to-day management of special projects as assigned by the COO 
• Oversee office reception, including managing a full-time receptionist and ensuring 100% coverage of front desk and phone lines during normal business hours
• Work in alignment with the HR Team to support new hire onboarding by working with other departments to ensure that every new hire’s work space is prepared, office key cards are set up, and IT equipment is fully functional
• Help drive employee engagement and staff development programs in conjunction with the HR team and COO, including: internal newsletters, office outings, trainings, workshops, etc. 
• Serve as the main contact and liaison for various vendors, including (but not limited to) building management, security, and IT 
• Work with the COO to support integration efforts within the Omnicom network 
• Manage the COO’s calendar and provide administrative support as needed, including drafting meeting agendas and handling follow-up action items to ensure projects run smoothly 

Requirements

The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements: 

• Approximately 3-5 years of related work experience is required 
• Experience in the professional services industry is strongly preferred 
• Interest in public affairs and/or communications 
• Possesses a cooperative, flexible, can-do attitude
• Demonstrated track record of thinking critically with the ability to see two steps ahead, anticipating any issues that may arise, and proactively improving operational systems
• Having a mindset that always looks for ways to work more efficiently and effectively 
• Ability to use discretion and work effectively with a variety of stakeholders at all levels of the firm
• Meticulous attention to detail with strong organizational skills 

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation with an opportunity for a year-end bonus. Medical, dental, vision, 401k, and life insurance. We also offer a paid parental leave program, paid vacation, paid sick leave and employer subsidy for commuter expenses. In addition, we have a hybrid work environment – we are in the office Monday-Thursday.

PLUS Communications is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.