Executive Assistant

The Executive Assistant will work directly with senior level executives on the Strada Pillar team consisting of SVP of Clear Outcomes, SVP of Affordability and SVP of Quality Coaching and will be responsible for performing administrative duties as described below.  This candidate needs to be highly self-motivated, professional, and capable of managing their workload and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment. 

Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit social impact organization that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education or training (PSET). Our new strategic plan focuses on five strategic pillars: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable PSET, work-based learning, and employer alignment. 

We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations as tools to help advance equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a nonprofit partner of choice working with education and training providers and leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.

• Calendar management for all executives supported. 
• Reach out independently to each SVP to understand their specific needs in calendar management, preferences, etc.
• Special events and meetings support related to the work of the 3 Pillar teams.
• Work closely with each executive and in close collaboration with our department heads and administrative staff to ensure clarity in calendaring.
• Book travel and manage each executive’s specific requests regarding air travel, preference on transportation, and hoteling options. 
• Resolve issues as they come up to assist the executives in selecting new travel arrangements.
• Prepare expense reports for executives, working closely with Accounts Payable at Strada Corporate Finance department.
• Process all invoices, must research independently to understand the pay cycle for each expense to ensure to not over/under pay.
• Ensure all employee's timecards for executives are completed and submitted timely.
• Provide excellent customer service with a welcoming, supportive, and respectful work environment.
• Independently coordinate with external parties to schedule and calendar meetings as requested by executives.

• Onboard new department members scheduling important outside contact introductions and ensure connection to Human Resources and Strada Corporate IT.
• Serve as point person for technology issues, workspace issues, etc., working closely with  Strada Corporate IT, HR, etc. to resolve.
• Prepare presentations for executives and work on special projects at their discretion, including preparation for Board of Trustees and Committee meetings, executive and senior leadership meetings and external presentations and engagements.
• Model and maintain high performance standards and expectations.
• Other duties, tasks, and special projects, as required.

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Must have 7-10 years of executive support including scheduling and engagement with government and policymakers in the field of education and philanthropy be preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellent communication skills and the ability to work with others to discern issues and resolve them.
• The Executive Assistant will be privy to privileged information often. 
• Must be proactive in working with others to resolve issues with outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Must work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must maintain digital filing and retrieval system for the departmentAdministrative support for an education, non-profit or philanthropy organization involving high level/senior executives. 
• Strong logistical skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong command of Microsoft Platform and Google G Suite of products.
• Verbal and written communication acumen.
• Ability to work across a large organization to deliver results
• Other Requirements: Must be able to come into the Washington, DC office consistent with Strada Education Foundation’s hybrid work status, to ensure support for the growing Strada Pillar teams.

Personal Attributes: Excels under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment. Enjoys meeting needs/deadlines of internal and external stakeholders. Operationally-minded manager, who can identify and capture efficiency, quality, and effectiveness improvements. Relationship builder, motivator, and team player. Positive attitude and energetic. Sound judgment and impeccable character. 

Travel Requirements: Minimal travel required

Typical Physical & Mental Demands: Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching; eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment.  Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports.   Also requires moderate to intense concentration due to complexity and/or need to meet deadlines, and flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.  

Security is Everyone’s Responsibility: In order to protect Strada’s personnel, affiliates, customers, assets and mission, security is the responsibility of every employee.  To maintain security, employees are required to read, understand, and follow company security policies including but not limited to the ISPP and Employee Handbook.  In addition, security training supporting those policies is required at least annually.

Mission and Values Alignment:

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.    

Strategy and Innovation Leadership:

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.   

Strategic Problem Solving: 

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.  

Execution and Operations Leadership:

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.  

DEI Commitment:

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.    

Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities: 

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+  and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.