Senior Assistant, Oceans

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.
Overall Function
The Senior Assistant provides administrative support to the Associate Vice President and Managing Director of the Oceans Program in the New York office, as well as providing administrative and programmatic support to emerging projects of the Oceans Program.  EDF’s Oceans Program works to improve the health of the oceans via innovative and durable solutions to today’s toughest fishery management challenges. Using key operational skills, this is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated and skilled Senior Assistant to partner with leaders in the central hub of a transformational nonpartisan advocacy campaign on a complex environmental issue, and to gain knowledge of current oceans and fisheries policy matters.  This position reports to the Managing Director, Oceans.
Key Responsibilities

• Maintain busy calendars and arrange extensive travel.
• Prepare managers for meetings including printing documents, collecting supporting documentation and researching background information
• Organize meetings with internal programs as well as outside organizations
• Plan and oversee logistics for multiple program events throughout the year
• Keep informed about major projects; learn and stay abreast of current priorities as they relate to the managers’ goals and strategies
• Proofread, edit, and facilitate program-wide documents and reports requiring multiple manager input
• Create and maintain administrative and tickler systems
• Facilitate expense reports, invoices, contracts, and other documents requiring AVP and/or Managing Director approval
• Process contracts, invoices and expenses for payment
• Professionally handle confidential information including administration and personnel information
• Act as liaison with other internal departments/programs and outside organizations

 Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience supporting a senior-level manager with demonstrable knowledge of impactful schedule management
• Undergraduate degree preferred
• Extremely organized and detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence
• Proficiency with MS Office applications and impeccable technical skills
• Good interpersonal skills, as this job requires frequent interaction with diverse individuals including board trustees and funders
• Ability to create strong relationships, both inside and outside the organization, and represent the program in the most effective and gracious manner
• Poised, confident, self-directed and assertive with high energy, resourcefulness, adaptability and creativity
• Intuitive, with a proactive focus on supporting the goals of the managers and the Oceans Program
• Comfort level with numbers and the ability to interpret budgets
• Strong written and oral communication skills.  Research-savvy; internet and resource proficient
• Formidable coordination ability in true partnership with AVP and Managing Director
• Ability and maturity to manage up as well as down
• Excellent judgment and discretion
• Ability to focus, multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines in a rapidly moving environment
• Enjoys a team-oriented, fast-paced and entrepreneurial culture
• Knowledge of environmental issues and/or policy is a plus.

Location
 
This position will be located in New York, NY.
 
Start Date
 
This position will begin as soon as possible.
 
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
 
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer