Executive and Special Projects Assistant, 12-month contract

ABOUT GREENPEACE
Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest, creative communication and people power to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. In just the past year, we’ve secured a Global Oceans Treaty to protect wildlife and people who depend on healthy oceans. We persuaded the Biden Administration to phase out single-use plastics from federal operations. And we safeguarded healthy spaces, from national marine sanctuaries to bans on seabed mining to stopping liquefied national gas terminals poisoning Gulf Coast communities. Our work spans more than 50 years of fights and successes.

As an independent campaigning organization, Greenpeace does not accept funds from any corporations or government entities. The global Greenpeace network is headquartered in the Netherlands, with offices around the world in over fifty countries. Greenpeace USA is headquartered in Washington, DC.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive and Special Projects Assistant - 12-month contract provides high-level administrative, research, communications, and project management support to the Executive Director. This role enhances the Executive Director’s impact by managing critical internal and external initiatives, helping ensure strategic alignment across teams, and advancing key priorities that elevate Greenpeace’s mission and visibility. At its core, this role bridges operational execution with strategic communications to keep the Executive Director’s work organized, informed, and influential.

The Executive and Special Projects Assistant is a full-time, hybrid, exempt, benefits-eligible, 12-month fixed term temporary contract role that can be based in any GPUS-authorized East Coast location for this position (DC, MA, MD, NH, NY, NJ, CT, VA). This role reports to the Interim Executive Director.

ROLE RESPONSIBLITIES

External Influence and Visibility:

• Identify, secure, and prepare the Executive Director for public speaking and external engagement opportunities in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Collaborate with the National Press Secretary to coordinate media interviews, press conferences, and public-facing communications.
• Launch and provide back-office support for the Executive Director’s monthly podcast.
• Partner with campaign staff to conduct research and draft briefing memos and talking points.
• Collaborate with the Development Office to support the Executive Director’s webinar series and donor engagement activities.

Internal Communications and Organization:

• Serve as a liaison across departments to advance internal projects and communications.
• Draft periodic updates, correspondence, and communications for staff, boards, and external audiences.
• Develop project management plans and ensure accountability for deliverables and timelines.

Executive Support:

• Manage calendar scheduling, travel logistics, and expense submissions for the Executive Director.
• Ensure the Executive Director’s schedule aligns with strategic internal and external priorities.
• Provide note-taking and follow-up tracking support for key meetings.
• Support Governance Manager on board meeting needs (e.g. minute taking at meetings, on-site logistics, etc...).

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the manager, as organizational or team priorities arise and/or shift.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience providing executive-level administrative and project management support in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and problem-solve proactively while maintaining high-quality results.
• Proven project management and organizational skills, including coordinating multiple projects simultaneously and ensuring timely delivery of complex initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and comfort learning new software, databases, and digital tools quickly.
• Familiarity with organizational budgeting and financial tracking processes.
• Experience or a strong interest in podcasting and other emerging broadcast mediums strongly preferred.
• Experience in the nonprofit or advocacy sector strongly preferred.

Skills/Attribute/Competencies:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft correspondence, reports, and presentations quickly with minimal direction, and to inspire confidence and action in others.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive, collaborative approach; able to build and sustain effective working relationships across teams and levels of the organization.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
• Proactive, with the ability to anticipate needs and manage up effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to execute complex instructions with accuracy and efficiency.

Other:

• Willingness and ability to travel, as needed
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours, as needed.

BENEFITS
Greenpeace USA values a healthy work-life balance and has flexible, family-friendly employment policies. Our competitive benefits package for full-time employees includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with low contributions from staff. We have options for pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care costs. Greenpeace employees enjoy generous 401K matching and time-off for vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave. After five years, staff are eligible for a paid sabbatical. To encourage public transportation use and biking, we offer subsidies for staff who choose to bike or ride mass transit to work. Greenpeace is committed to the growth and development of staff and fostering a creative workplace culture. For more information, check out our benefits plan.

The pay grade for this role is 3 and the salary range for this position is anticipated to be $78,668 - $85,146, and is commensurate with experience.

If you want to save the world from climate change and believe in environmental and social justice, please submit an application on our careers page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will conclude once we have found the best candidate.

Greenpeace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, family/marital status, religion or other protected classes. We strongly encourage applications from marginalized communities. If you require assistance applying to this opportunity, please contact usa-resumes@greenpeace.org. 

Only applicants eligible to work and live in the United States without any legal restrictions need apply for this opportunity.