Hybrid Special Assistant to the CEO, COO

at Issue One

• Job title: Special Assistant to the CEO, COO
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $60,000 - $70,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Washington, United States

About the role

• Special Assistant to the CEO and COO enhancing executive support and effectiveness at Issue One. Managing calendars, communications, and stakeholder relations for senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex calendars for CEO and COO, making judgment calls about priority, timing, and what requires their direct attention.
• Serve as gatekeeper and air traffic controller, deciding what gets through, what gets delegated, and what gets declined.
• Prepare executives for meetings with concise briefing materials, background research, and relevant context.
• Manage executive inboxes with discretion, triaging messages and surfacing what matters most.
• Draft and edit high-level communications and correspondence that reflect executive voice and priorities.
• Coordinate travel logistics, including itineraries, briefing books, and on-the-ground support.
• Track executive commitments and follow-through to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Build and refine systems for how the CEO and COO work with executive support, training them on how to leverage this new capacity effectively.
• Support CEO donor engagement efforts, including meeting scheduling, donor engagement tasks, and follow-up.

Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in executive support, chief of staff roles, or project management—preferably supporting senior leaders in fast-paced environments.
• Experience supporting C-suite executives in nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building executive support systems from scratch or significantly improving existing ones.
• Track record of managing up effectively and coaching leaders on how to work with support staff.

Benefits

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One.
• In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance.
• They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before.
• All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.