Special Assistant to the President and Project Administrator (Executive Office) at The Urban Institute in Washington, Washington DC

Job Description:

Who we are:

At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities.  Our employees are empowered to open minds, shape decisions and offer solutions.  We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community.  Our employees drive Urban’s mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation.  Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.

The Urban Institute is exploring promising solutions to advance equity and upward mobility in the decades ahead. As such, Urban is preparing an institutional strategy and campaign to elevate the debate for this period: building knowledge and bringing reliable evidence to improve public policy and practice, strengthening communities, and transforming people’s lives for the better.

How you’ll contribute:

The Urban Institute’s Executive Office seeks a policy-curious staffer to work with the president and executive team to support the advancement of Urban’s mission, new programs, and management and operations.

The ideal candidate will have at least 1-3 years of experience providing executive support in a fast-paced office environment and a strong curiosity in all areas of policy. The candidate will also be an adept and detail-oriented assistant to the president and experience working collaboratively with staff across all divisions to accomplish Institute priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the president’s daily business by scheduling internal and external meetings, and proactively ensuring that meetings and appointments stay on time; compiling the president’s daily briefing book of meeting materials, and prompting materials, as needed; tracking priorities and to dos; and preparing and filing expense reports.




• Represent the president by screening and reviewing correspondence and addressing questions and meeting requests directed to the president.




• Track and manage correspondence for the president by prioritizing and appropriately flagging for action.




• Draft correspondence and support the execution of communications and engagement including emails, briefing memos, and various other communications from the president to internal and external stakeholders.




• Arrange travel and meetings; develop itineraries, meeting logistics and agendas.




• Complete discrete special assignments by establishing objectives; determining priorities; managing time; gaining cooperation of others; monitoring progress; problem-solving; adjusting plans.

What you’ll bring:

The successful candidate will:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree and 1-3 years of progressively responsible executive support experience ideally working with c-level executives and board members in a fast-paced office setting




• Take initiative and possess excellent communications skills to ensure solutions and interactions are consistent with organization objectives




• Manage numerous requests/deliverables simultaneously with the expectation of multiple and changing priorities




• Display excellent and versatile writing skills including the ability to compose superior formal business correspondence and other professional documents




• Maintain strong customer service skills; exhibit exceptional interpersonal skills and judgment under stress and deadlines




• Demonstrate commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.




• Exercise a high level of confidentiality as well as strict level of confidentiality and use professional judgment and discretion.




• Express interest in public policy questions and curiosity about research




• Demonstrate proficiency in performing a variety of complex administrative work.

Please note all applications must include a cover letter to be considered. This is a DMV-based position that offers flexibility to work remotely depending on the president’s in-office/remote schedule.

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work.  Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.  Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.