Executive and Special Projects Assistant, 12-month contract

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive and Special Projects Assistant - 12-month contract provides high-level administrative, research, communications, and project management support to the Executive Director. This role enhances the Executive Director’s impact by managing critical internal and external initiatives, helping ensure strategic alignment across teams, and advancing key priorities that elevate Greenpeace’s mission and visibility. At its core, this role bridges operational execution with strategic communications to keep the Executive Director’s work organized, informed, and influential.

The Executive and Special Projects Assistant is a full-time, hybrid, exempt, benefits-eligible, 12-month fixed term temporary contract role that can be based in any GPUS-authorized East Coast location for this position (DC, MA, MD, NH, NY, NJ, CT, VA). This role reports to the Interim Executive Director.

ROLE RESPONSIBLITIES

External Influence and Visibility:

• Identify, secure, and prepare the Executive Director for public speaking and external engagement opportunities in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Collaborate with the National Press Secretary to coordinate media interviews, press conferences, and public-facing communications.
• Launch and provide back-office support for the Executive Director’s monthly podcast.
• Partner with campaign staff to conduct research and draft briefing memos and talking points.
• Collaborate with the Development Office to support the Executive Director’s webinar series and donor engagement activities.

Internal Communications and Organization:

• Serve as a liaison across departments to advance internal projects and communications.
• Draft periodic updates, correspondence, and communications for staff, boards, and external audiences.
• Develop project management plans and ensure accountability for deliverables and timelines.

Executive Support:

• Manage calendar scheduling, travel logistics, and expense submissions for the Executive Director.
• Ensure the Executive Director’s schedule aligns with strategic internal and external priorities.
• Provide note-taking and follow-up tracking support for key meetings.
• Support Governance Manager on board meeting needs (e.g. minute taking at meetings, on-site logistics, etc...).

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the manager, as organizational or team priorities arise and/or shift.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience providing executive-level administrative and project management support in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and problem-solve proactively while maintaining high-quality results.
• Proven project management and organizational skills, including coordinating multiple projects simultaneously and ensuring timely delivery of complex initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and comfort learning new software, databases, and digital tools quickly.
• Familiarity with organizational budgeting and financial tracking processes.
• Experience or a strong interest in podcasting and other emerging broadcast mediums strongly preferred.
• Experience in the nonprofit or advocacy sector strongly preferred.

Skills/Attribute/Competencies:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft correspondence, reports, and presentations quickly with minimal direction, and to inspire confidence and action in others.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive, collaborative approach; able to build and sustain effective working relationships across teams and levels of the organization.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
• Proactive, with the ability to anticipate needs and manage up effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to execute complex instructions with accuracy and efficiency.

Other:

• Willingness and ability to travel, as needed
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours, as needed.

BENEFITS
Greenpeace USA values a healthy work-life balance and has flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Our competitive benefits package for full-time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with low contributions from staff. We have options for pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs. Greenpeace employees enjoy generous 401K matching and time-off for vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave. After five years, staff are eligible for a paid sabbatical. To encourage public transportation use and biking, we offer subsidies for staff who choose to bike or ride mass transit to work. Greenpeace is committed to the growth and development of staff and fostering a creative workplace culture. For more information, check out our benefits plan.

The pay grade for this role is 3 and the salary range for this position is anticipated to be $78,668 - $85,146, and is commensurate with experience.