Seeking ambitious, hyper-organized Administrative Assistant for new Sandler Phillips Center in DC
Catherine Schreiber
SANDLER PHILLIPS CENTER
POSITION DESCRIPTION
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
OVERVIEW
Are you passionate about racial, gender and economic justice? Do you love creating systems and processes that increase efficiency? Are you super talented at keeping track of all kinds of details and making things happen even if you haven’t done it before? Do you like to be challenged at work and want to develop a broad range of skills while advancing justice and equality? The Sandler Phillips Center is looking for an Administrative Assistant who wants the opportunity to be part of a new effort to bring greater transparency and accountability in progressive electoral politics and social justice organizations through rigorous research, analysis and strategic investment.
OUR STORY
The Sandler Phillips Center was created to support and inform efforts to bring about justice and equality in the U.S. and the world. The Center was founded by wife-husband team Susan Sandler and Steve Phillips, known for their strong track record of providing sharp commentary and investing in successful progressive campaigns and candidates. What do we work on? Research, analysis and strategic investment focused on civic engagement, voter mobilization and the leadership of the New American Majority. We support organizations and campaigns led by people of color, women, immigrants and LGBTQIA+ people. We’re comprised of a dynamic and smart group of people who are passionate about our work, rigorous in our analysis and committed to building a country that is just and equitable. We set and work to high standards of excellence in all that we do.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Washington Office/Chief Data Scientist, the Administrative Assistant provides programmatic and administrative support for our small and closely-knit teams working in research, communications, campaign organizing and administration. This is a non-exempt, full-time position based in the Washington, DC office.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Assistance
Support the launch and ongoing operations of the Center, including office move-in and ongoing office management, ordering supplies and signage (business cards, letterhead, equipment and furniture as needed).
Provide executive assistant to the Director of the Washington Office, including scheduling, travel arrangements, meeting preparation, notetaking, and follow through, etc.
Provide administrative support to the Center team, including logistical support for travel and internal meetings, maintaining electronic and paper files and performing general clerical tasks.
Provide administrative support for the Center’s Team and external Partnership Meetings, including taking notes, preparing documents and coordinating logistics, as appropriate.
Copy-edit informal and formal online information and print materials to ensure error-free and grammatically correct copy.
General Administrative Support
Oversee general Center phone and email, ensuring communications are passed on to the appropriate person and that every contact is responded to promptly.
Ensure the office is welcoming for both team members and guests.
Provide support for general office operations, including but not limited to, greeting visitors, maintaining a tidy kitchen, retrieving mail and distributing to appropriate team members, taking outgoing mail to mailbox, maintaining an organized inventory of kitchen, shipping and office supplies, IT support and ordering supplies as needed.
Schedule all necessary repair and maintenance on office equipment to retain warranties and prevent loss of use or productivity; troubleshoot equipment issues as they arise (e.g., computers printers, copier, postage machine, etc.).
Liaise with building management and troubleshoot all building-related issues on behalf of the Center (e.g., HVAC, lights, bathrooms, etc.), to ensure smooth operations.
Assist research team with organizing and presenting data to a diverse set of audiences… I
QUALIFICATIONS
Skills
1 to 2 years of experience as an administrative assistant, program assistant, community organizer, or related experience.
Experience with political campaign(s) preferred.
Proficiency with software essential for organizing workflow and managing partnerships (email, calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Slack, Dropbox and other online information management, communications and project management applications); Internet research applications a plus.
Ability to learn software and research platforms quickly.
Superlative writing skills with ability to write and copy-edit to deadline.
Proven ability to learn quickly, develop new skills and teach/train others.
Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills with outstanding attention to detail and follow through.
Strong listening, written and oral communications skills, including timely response to emails and phone presence.
Qualities
Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, vision and values.
Passion for working in the social justice sector and progressive politics.
Flexible, adaptable and dependable with the ability to pivot quickly depending upon needs.
Talent and interest in creating and managing systems.
An eye for creating efficiencies and keeping track of details.
Ability to develop trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds.
Tech savvy and DIY learner with comfort on multiple online platforms.
Curiosity and love of continuous learning.
Ability to work in an open office environment.
Track record of being a highly organized, self-starting and a proactive initiator.
Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality.
Work independently as well as within a team as a junior member.
Achieve goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Positive approach, can-do attitude and great sense of humor.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, non-exempt position, with a salary range of $40,000-$48,000. Salary offer will be dependent on experience.
We provide 10 days paid vacation days, 8 paid sick days, 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays and a flexible, humane work environment.
We provide medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, health spending account, a 401 (k) retirement plan match and transportation benefits with the Center covering 100% of the costs of the insurance package.
OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At the Sandler Phillips Center, we believe outstanding people are the key to our success. We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, trans people, gender nonconforming individuals and formerly incarcerated people to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit and hire with the understanding of systemic oppression and of the lived reality of people with marginalized identities. We also recruit and hire without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status or age.
APPLICATION & DEADLINE
To apply, please email a cover letter and a resume, preferably in a single attachment, to: in...@sandlerphillipscenter.com. The cover letter should highlight why you are interested in the position and what makes you a strong candidate. Please use this as subject line of your email: Administrative Assistant. All documents need to be Microsoft Word or PDF files (PDF files are preferred). Deadline to apply is February 16. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position for long periods while operating a computer to create documents, conducting Internet research, sending and receiving e-mail and participating in meetings; communicate on a telephone and in person; read and write; apply logic and focus attention in the presence of distractions. Occasional requirements are to move about the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
On occasion, it may be necessary to work in the evenings, on weekends and to travel for events and meetings. Given the deadline-driven nature of our work, proactivity, flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly is a primary characteristic necessary for success in this role.