Overview

Reading Partners is changing the education landscape. We are a leader in working to solve the literacy crisis in our country by leveraging AmeriCorps members and community volunteers in under-resourced schools. Our diverse and expansive volunteer base provides one-on-one tutoring to students twice weekly. Our program is proven to help children master the reading fundamentals they need to unlock their potential as successful, happy, and confident readers in school and in life. The people at Reading Partners are our heartbeat and our greatest resource. We are all passionately rallied around our mission to help children become lifelong learners by empowering communities to provide individualized instruction that works. Join our stellar team leading the charge to deepen our impact and expand our national service.

The Reading Partners program is a proven, evidence-based national model leveraged to support students who have fallen behind in reading. A 2015 MDRC study concluded that Reading Partners has a positive and statistically significant impact on reading comprehension, sight-word reading, and reading fluency. The impact was equivalent to 1.5 to 2 months of additional growth in literacy in one year. At the heart of Reading Partners’s new strategic plan, we will focus on innovating to scale, building partnerships, and centering students through racial equity. Over the next three years, Reading Partners will expand our impact to reach tens of thousands of students annually through direct service and partnerships. Also, Reading Partners is the recent recipient of a $8 million grant from the Department of Education and an unsolicited $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott. Watch this video to learn more about Reading Partners.

THE HIGH LEVEL

The Executive Assistant (EA) is a vital role at Reading Partners. Reporting to the Managing Director, Regional Operations, the EA is responsible for supporting the Chief Impact Officer (CIO) and the operations of the Regional Operations, AmeriCorps, and Community Engagement teams. This position requires a well-organized and flexible individual who possesses the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external teams and autonomously on self-directed projects. This individual will provide the CIO with exceptional project management and administrative support. The EA will provide excellent assistance; work collaboratively with regions, national departments, and the Executive Team; and serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies. 

The ideal candidate is excited by the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the organization on many levels of engagement, gain experience and influence the daily operations of a dynamic nonprofit organization. Additionally, the selected candidate must be skilled at managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Also, the EA role is a great opportunity for an energetic, highly organized, and innovative professional with strong communication and project management skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Regarding your responsibilities, here is what you will do:

Day-to-Day Administrative Support to the CIO (50%) 

  • Deliver excellent administrative support to the CIO. 
  • Apply strong organizational skills to anticipate the CIO’s needs and deliver consistently outstanding administrative support. 
  • Complete monthly expense reports, purchase orders, air flights, and mailings on behalf of the CIO.
  • Develop meeting agendas, take meeting notes, and follow up with internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Execute excellent logistical help (e.g., meeting preparation, event coordination and IT support).
  • Manage the CIO’s complex calendar, including scheduling meetings, setting up video conferences, arranging extensive travel (including multi-day trips) and frequent meetings (post-COVID-19).
  • Oversee other projects and responsibilities as needed.

Internal and External Communications on Behalf of the CIO (20%) 

  • Prepare correspondences (e.g., e-mails, reports, etc.) for the CIO as needed. 
  • Create talking points, draft speeches, and prepare supporting documents for meetings and events.
  • Support developing the CIO’s social media engagement strategy. 
  • Communicate directly, and on behalf of the CIO, with Executive Team members, department leaders, Executive Directors, regional board members, staff, and others to manage all of the scheduling efforts.

Project Management for the CIO (15%) 

  • Assist in managing high-priority projects, including regional operating goals, performance management system, progress monitoring tools, etc. 
  • Create effective presentations, including data compilation and analysis, slide design, and support during presentations as needed.
  • Impart excellent project management to the CIO to help drive execution and meet deadlines. 

Travel and Event Support for the CIO (10%) 

  • Prepare CIO for national events (Board of Director meetings, Executive Director retreats, etc.).
  • Prepare and prep CIO for regional visits to all 12 regions.
  • Serve as a point on visits to regions where CIO is the point person.
  • Track CIO’s role in events (e.g., regional events, annual gala, roundtables, etc.).

Regional advisory board engagement (5%) 

  • Act as the primary logistical manager for the Reading Partners regional board chairs (e.g., organizing quarterly calls, scheduling meetings, handling A/V support, as needed).
  • Provide support for program committee meetings, agenda, and materials. 
  • Attend quarterly board committee meetings (as requested) and draft meeting minutes for the CIO.
  • Develop materials, presentations, remarks, data, etc. for CIO to present to the National Board of Directors. 

Regarding your role, here is how you will do it:

Relationship Development: 

  • Quickly develop positive relationships with the CIO, Regional Operations Leadership Team, the Executive Team, and the Executive Directors overseeing the regions. 
  • Communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and manage a portfolio of relationships across functional areas as well. 
  • Possess a unique ability to remain flexible, patient and goal-oriented in the face of competition for time and resources. 

Communication:

  • Work closely with the Regional Operations Leadership Team to produce spoken, written, and electronic/video communications for and on behalf of the CIO.
  • Develop and maintain the CIO’s social media channels.

Project Management and Problem Solving: 

  • Balance multiple competing priorities daily that include high-level and tactical communication, coordination, and administrative activities. 
  • Identify problems, solve them quickly, and appropriately message all shifts.
  • Assess how to prioritize, make decisions that consider all internal and external stakeholders and act accordingly. 
  • Consider all stakeholders and implications in projects that are cross-functional. Demonstrate an ability to rally a variety of individuals together to meet a goal.

Innovative Thinking & Flexibility:

  • Demonstrate an ability to create processes and systems to streamline internal operations for the CIO.
  • Display a high level of comfort with ambiguity and an ability to generate high quality deliverables in a fluid environment. 
  • Display an aptitude for framing problems as opportunities, and always pushing to further streamline processes and systems. 

About you!

You’ll be successful in this role if you possess a/an:

  • Bachelor’s degree required with one year of service, internship, national service, or professional experience.
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills. 
  • Strong interpersonal, time management, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and proven ability to handle competing priorities and think critically.
  • Sense of humor and flexibility!
  • Proven ability to work as both a team member and independent leader.
  • Incredible passion and skill in communications, both verbal and written. 
  • Maturity and poise under pressure, ability to balance competing priorities, and show a high degree of professionalism when interacting with C-Level staff.
  • Strong project management, technological,  and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
  • A positive, can-do attitude.
  • Ability to handle confidential information with discretion. 
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Google apps, Adaptive, Salesforce, etc.
  • Deep belief in our mission and root your work in our core values.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status.
  • COVID-19 vaccination is required unless a medical or religious accommodation is requested and approved. Please review our Vaccination Policy.

Bonus points if you:

  • Possess experience in internal and external communications.
  • Have experience working in launch or growth phases of organizations.
  • Are an AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or other national service alum/alumna.
Apply for job