Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Reports to: Managing Director

Works for: Executive Team

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: In-person, Durham, NC

About Us

Southern Service Workers Education Fund Inc. (SSWEF) is a worker organization building power with low-wage workers across the South. We organize alongside workers and community partners to challenge exploitation, raise standards, and advance racial and economic justice. Our campaigns combine deep organizing, worker leadership development, and community solidarity to win real improvements in workers’ lives while building a broader movement for economic and racial justice in the South.

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant (EA) provides high-level administrative and strategic support to USSW’s senior leadership. Reporting to the Managing Director, the EA serves as a critical partner to the organization’s executive team, ensuring their time is optimized to lead the organization effectively. The EA handles complex scheduling, sensitive correspondence, and logistical coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support & Scheduling

• Manage complex, rapidly shifting calendars for the executive team, prioritizing high-impact meetings and ensuring adequate preparation time.
• Coordinate all travel logistics, including flights, lodging, and ground transportation, often involving multi-city Southern tours.
• Prepare briefing materials, agendas, and background research for meetings with donors, labor leaders, and coalition partners.

Correspondence & Communication

• Draft, edit, and manage professional correspondence on behalf of the executive team.
• Monitor and triage executive email accounts, ensuring timely responses to urgent requests.
• Serve as a professional point of contact for external partners, allies, and board members.

Administrative Coordination

• Support the MD in preparing for board meetings, including the compilation of board decks and taking minutes.
• Manage expense reporting and reimbursement processing for the executive team in coordination with the Finance team.
• Assist with special projects, such as organizational retreats, leadership meetings, and major campaign events.

Qualifications

• Exceptional organizational skills and a mastery of calendar management (Google Calendar preferred).
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to adopt the "voice" of executive leadership.
• High degree of discretion and experience handling confidential organizational and financial information.
• Commitment to racial and economic justice and the mission of worker organizing in the South.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced, high-stakes organizing environment.

• Health Insurance: Beginning on the 1st of the month following the date of hire, employees are eligible to enroll in high-quality, low-deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance. The employer covers 100% of premiums for the employee, their spouse, and dependents.
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Beginning on the 1st of the month following the date of hire, employees are eligible to enroll in MetLife dental and vision insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Paid time off and sick leave, consistent with organizational policy.
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid $50,000 life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Short-Term Disability: Optional, employee-paid short-term disability coverage.
• Long-Term Disability: Optional, employee-paid long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan