Special Assistant to the President and Chief Legal Officer

Position Title: 

Special Assistant to the President and Chief Legal Officer

Department:     

Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation Close-wide Shared Services - Executive Office

Position Type:   

Full-time/Exempt, 12 months

Salary: $75,000-$95,000/year

Reports To:       

PECF President and PECF Chief Legal Office (CLO)

Organizational Structure:

Chartered by Congress in 1893, the PECF established the Washington National Cathedral and three schools (National Cathedral School, St. Albans, and Beauvoir) on fifty-nine beautiful acres at the highest point in our nation's capital. Uniting the institutions on these shared and sacred grounds, the PECF supports their unique missions and strengthens their collective relationship by:

1. Facilitating communication and thought partnership among institutions,
2. Ensuring alignment on policies and practices that promote the continued vitality and sustainability of the PECF and the institutions, and
3. Providing shared services that benefit all institutions.

Works Closely With:

This position will work closely with many levels of the Foundation and its institutions across a wide variety of strategic initiatives/subject matter areas.

Job Summary:     

The Special Assistant to the President and CLO will be a strategic partner who manages and coordinates administrative and operational priorities, collaborating closely with the President and CLO. As part of these duties, this position is responsible for planning, executing, managing, and monitoring key strategic initiatives, process improvements, and operational efficiencies of the PECF. These projects are varied and may include, but are not limited to, projects that deal with policies, governance, finance, facilities, IT, and Human Resources.

This person must be self-motivated, quick-thinking, flexible, and able to juggle diverse responsibilities in an efficient manner.  The Special Assistant must also have a “can do” attitude and be able to successfully execute to completion a wide variety of projects of varying levels of complexity.  They must be confident, reliable, and creative with excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where each day can bring a new set of priorities and demands. They must be able to exercise discretion, good judgment and show initiative while working regularly with the President, CLO, senior managers, trustees, and a diverse group of internal and external partners on a variety of issues.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as a strategic partner to President and CLO in establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders and assists with planning meetings and/or other events designed to strengthen those ties.
• Partners with President and other stakeholders on developing and implementing ongoing, robust, and inclusive community engagement strategy that results in community cohesion and shared clarity on the mission of the PECF's Shared Services department. This may include revamping internal communications tools (i.e. emails, SharePoint/Teams sites, other technology platforms) as well as community gatherings (i.e. meetings, staff activities) among other efforts.
• Assists CLO and President with policy development and refinement through research, stakeholder engagement activities, and other means.
• Serves on internal team preparing for board and committee meetings by coordinating scheduling and other logistics and creating and distributing materials to relevant stakeholders.
• Prepares reports and briefings for President and CLO in advance of board, committee, and other important internal and external meetings, while also ensuring timely follow through on action items and coordination with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently researches, prioritizes, and follows up on multiple incoming issues and concerns addressed to the President and/or CLO, including those of a sensitive and/or confidential nature; determines appropriate course of action, referral, and/or response.
• Creates, composes, and edits correspondence and its disposition.
• Represents the President and/or CLO's interests an perspective in meetings with staff and others assists in advancing discussions and issues, preparing the way for action by the President and/or CLO.
• Support other team members or projects at the President and/or CLO's request.

Project Management Responsibilities:

• Manages all phases of projects, including managing and overseeing activities of various groups of internal and external stakeholders, personnel, and vendors.
• Plans work schedules and determines key milestone and measurement criteria, identifies problems, and creates time and budget estimates for projects.
• Prepares and communicates cost estimates or scope changes for projects; analyzes costs, benefits, and feasibility of projects.
• Meets with stakeholders to review projects, to develop specifications, and to assist with completion of work.
• Evaluates requested changes to projects and communicates changes to project team members.
• Ensures deliverables are completed and outcomes are achieved on schedule.
• Creates and updates project documentation.
• Identifies, captures, and analyzes project performance metrics for evaluation.
• Manages procurement solicitations and selection.
• Ensures project deliverables are being met and resolve any relevant disputes.
• Creates, disseminates, and delivers reports, presentations, and status updates for key stakeholders.
• Manages and/or facilitates the completion and archiving of all required project documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of related experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and change approach to best fit the situation
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and use technology to increase productivity.
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and ideas, generate suggestions for improving work, and meet challenges with resourcefulness.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications, e-mail, financial software systems, and technology, knowledge of various project management platforms preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Ability to effectively present information.
• Ability to work occasional night and weekends.

Work Conditions:

• The position requires prolonged sitting, ability to climb stairs, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, and stooping in the performance of daily activities.
• The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
• The position also requires near and far vision for reading and preparing written reports and other required documents.
• Acute hearing is also required when providing phone assistance.
• This is a hybrid position and requires a combination of in person and remote work.

The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere for all. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

• $75,000 - $95,000/year