Special Assistant to the President and CEO

The Atlantic Council seeks an internationally experienced and highly organized self-starter to serve as the Special Assistant to the President and CEO.

As a key member of a high-functioning and impact-driven Executive Office team, the Special Assistant manages the President and CEO’s heavy meeting and travel schedule along with other administrative tasks. The Special Assistant should have a proven track record of time and project management, results orientation, and upward management with C-Suite executives. This individual must also be able to work independently and professionally while balancing multiple priorities, often against tight deadlines.

The Special Assistant must have exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, as drafting and managing executive correspondence is a key component of the position. The successful candidate will be emotionally intelligent, discreet, reliable, and extraordinarily organized to help manage the President and CEO’s time, working in close collaboration with the Chief of Staff and other members of the Executive Office team. The Special Assistant will have the ability to work independently on projects from start to finish and must handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion. Previous experience living and working in international environments is a significant plus, as are foreign languages.

The position is located in Washington, DC, and requires occasional international travel. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers starting at $65,000. Applications submitted by April 19, 2024, will be prioritized for consideration. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Serves as “gate-keeper” for the Executive Office to streamline day-to-day operations and ensure appropriate allocation of time to maximize efficiency;
• Serves as a trusted partner for President and CEO and Chief of Staff to manage complex and confidential matters within the Executive Office;
• Oversees all administrative tasks for the President and CEO, including but not limited to extensive calendar management and travel coordination;
• Drafts and edits executive-level correspondence on behalf of President and CEO including weekly staff correspondence which requires staying heavily engaged with all of Atlantic Council’s various programs, centers, and leaders;
• Manage President and CEO’s inbox - organizing key priorities and facilitating heavy workload;
• Organizes and consolidates briefing material for meetings and external engagements;
• Manages Executive Office record-keeping and maintains up-to-date high-level contacts database;
• Stays up to date on current foreign affairs, recognizing key global leaders, and providing research materials for President and CEO as required;
• Demonstrates willingness to take on special projects and additional duties, as required.

• BA in international relations, business, journalism or related field;
• Two or more years of C-Suite support experience;
• Exceptional organizational skills and painstaking attention to detail;
• Ability to edit and to write quickly, clearly, and without errors;
• Ability to multitask and remain flexible in a dynamic environment;
• Ability to work independently and within a small team and across the organization;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook;
• Demonstrated track record of success within C-Suite operations;
• Professional presence and demeanor, including ability to effectively interact with senior government officials and business leaders;
• Willingness and flexibility to work evenings or weekends, as required.