Executive Assistant

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Executive Assistant is a strategic partner to DRA’s Executives and Board who provides high-level, high-quality strategic executive support so that DRA can meet its mission.

About DRA

Founded in 1993, Disability Rights Advocates is the leading national nonprofit legal center bringing about seismic systemic change for people with disabilities. DRA’s mission is to advance the rights, inclusion, and equity of people with disabilities through litigation, education, and advocacy. DRA serves clients across the disability spectrum achieving access to housing, employment, education, health care, voting, and more.

Under the leadership of new President & CEO Rebecca Williford and guided by our 2022 strategic plan, DRA is expanding our outreach and partnership—especially to black, indigenous and people of color so that access, participation, contribution, and empowerment become a reality for all. Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Join Us! We’re seeking talented, driven individuals to join us in creating a world free from discrimination, where people with disabilities are valued members of their communities with equal access to opportunity. For more information about DRA’s mission and programs visit www.dralegal.org

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position based out of our Berkeley, CA headquarters. A critical strategic partner to DRA’s President & CEO, Board, and executive leadership team, this position will require occasional ability to travel and work outside of standard working hours.

Ideal candidates have a strong track record of supporting high-level organizational leaders, a passion for disability justice, a positive can-do attitude, excellent communication skills, multi-tasking skills, technical skills, and impeccable attention to detail.

As a strategic partner to the President & CEO, the Executive Assistant must develop a deep understanding of DRA’s mission and programs to act as proxy for confidential executive communications and approvals as authorized. The Executive Assistant will exercise discretion and independent judgment to answer general questions; refer/redirect routine matters to other parties as appropriate and follow up to ensure proper disposition; resolve issues within specified policies and guidelines; determine when executive action is required; and provide insight and recommendation(s) as appropriate.

The Role

Act as Strategic Partner to President & CEO

  • Develop a deep understanding of DRA’s mission and programs
  • Act as proxy for confidential executive communications and approvals as authorized and appropriate
  • Answer general questions from staff, funders, and partners; refer/direct matters to other parties as appropriate and follow up to ensure disposition
  • Resolve issues within specified policies and guidelines and determine when executive action is required, providing insights and recommendations

Executive Leadership Support

  • Plan and manage President & CEO’s calendar and daily meeting details to ensure agenda, time- zone sensitivity, pre-read and briefing materials are included, and required participants have accepted at least 48 hours in advance
  • Manage calendars and scheduling for Managing Directors
  • Provide high-level, confidential administrative support to the executive leadership team including drafting meeting agendas, creating PowerPoint presentations, drafting meeting minutes, access to and handling of labor and employee relations matters, maintaining contact lists, and calendaring
  • Effectively manage travel plans and logistics for executive leadership team including booking flights, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and arranging meals, etc.
  • Working closely with the Managing Director, Development & Operations, act as Liaison to 2001 Center Street Property management company for all aspects of building management.

Fundraising and Communications Support

  1. Plan and manage executive leadership team’s calendars and communications in order to:
    1. coordinate client outreach and communications for President & CEO
    2. administer Salesforce database and user accounts—tracking donations, donor communications, and generating reports
    3. draft donor communications for Executive Leadership Team including meeting requests, donor acknowledgement letters, and appeals
    4. support Executive Leadership’s donor outreach and cultivation including performing donor research and creating donor follow-up strategies
    5. support and help manage President & CEO’s external communications including social media posts, speaking engagements, and conference/networking group attendance
  2. Act as a back-up for the Development & Communications Manager for DRA website and social media updates

Board of Directors Support

  1. Uses appropriate discretion to determine confidentiality of all Board communications, including labor and employee relations matters, materials, planning, calendaring, and other Board-related matters and perform the following:
    1. plans and implements all Board and Advisory Board meetings and events including coordination of all meeting materials and other preparations;
    2. drafts and finalizes minutes for all Board and committee meetings; and
    3. works closely with the President & CEO, Board Chair, and Committee Chairs to manage the Board calendar, portal, and schedule meetings

Other Duties as Assigned

  • Assist in other duties as needed.

Qualifications

  1. A minimum of 5+ years as an Executive Assistant or supporting a Director-level or higher
  2. Excellent communication skills
  3. Judgement to make appropriate, informed decisions regarding priorities, time, and communication. Able to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
  4. High degree of professionalism in dealing with diverse groups of people, including Board members, senior executives, staff, community leaders, and donors. Demonstrated sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  5. Exceptional organizational skills, follow-through, and attention to detail
  6. Master proofreader
  7. High initiative, productivity, and agility. Ability to complete a high volume of tasks and projects with limited guidance. Ability to switch gears and react with appropriate speed to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround.
  8. Expert proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Power Point), Adobe, and Zoom. iManage, Macros, and Salesforce a plus.
  9. Technical proficiency to rapidly learn software and troubleshoot/solve technical problems.

Compensation

DRA offers a competitive compensation of $90,000 to $120,000 based on experience. Comprehensive benefits including top tier medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% paid employee premiums, 401(k) with company contribution, generous holiday and paid time off benefits.

How to Apply

Please send the following to jobs@dralegal.org with “Executive Assistant” as the subject:

  1. Cover letter (including how you learned about this job opening)
  2. Resume
  3. Three professional references (at least two direct supervisors)

DRA is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.

DRA encourages applications from all qualified individuals and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DRA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact jobs@dralegal.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”