Special Assistant to the Chairman

About Purpose

Purpose is a revolutionary and rapidly growing social business with deep expertise in creating and scaling movements that have significant social impact. We create and launch new ventures and organizations in the areas where we can make the most difference, and deploy our experience as movement creators to consult to the world’s leading corporations, foundations and non-profits, helping put purpose and participation at the core of what they do.

ABOUT PURPOSE

Purpose builds and supports movements to advance the fight for an open, just, and habitable world. We use public mobilisation and storytelling to help leading organisations, activists, businesses, and philanthropies engaged in this fight, and we create campaigning labs and new initiatives that can shift policies and change public narratives when it matters most.

To do this, Purpose brings together world-class talent from the world of creatives, content development, storytelling, campaigning, grassroots organising, and political strategy to build new creative campaigning models.

Guided by smart strategy and powered by participation, our work reframes issues, engages new audiences, shifts public discourse, and ultimately drives targeted action and creates lasting impact. Join the team that made all this work!

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Special Assistant to Jeremy Heimans, the Chairman and Co-Founder of Purpose, which builds and supports movements to advance the fight for an open, just, and habitable world using public mobilization and storytelling.

The Special Assistant will provide daily support managing his core activities/special initiatives, including a growing global LGBTQ+ leaders’ network; thought leadership and writing associated with New Power, his bestselling book with Henry Timms; and high-level convenings and events; as well as maintaining key external relationships related to Purpose. The person in this role will also provide daily logistical support, stakeholder management, and counsel.

This role is ideal for a proactive, smart, and driven individual, who is looking to work with a high-functioning social impact leader and gain valuable insight into how to build and manage relationships with industry leaders, thought leaders, and globally recognized names. This is a fast-paced role, which requires a high EQ and attention to detail, along with strong stakeholder management skills and stellar writing skills.

This role is a balancing act: leading all aspects of scheduling and calendar management, meeting preparation, logistics related to travel and speaking engagements, and coordinating events and providing any required support to the Chairman — in addition to proactively engaging with senior stakeholders, vetting opportunities and inbound requests, handling sensitive information and relationships, keeping priorities at the top of mind, taking on special projects, and proactively solving problems at all levels. It is a great opportunity for a candidate looking to build a career in the social impact space or pursue chief of staff type roles and offers significant opportunities for growth and strategic thinking. Our ideal candidate is extremely detail-oriented and organized, thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, and doesn’t view any task, no matter how small, as unimportant.

This full time staff position is based out of New York City. The associated salary range is $78,000-$95,000, commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should include a cover letter with their application, highlighting their relevant experience and explaining their interest in the role. 

We seek to fill this role by late January 2025 if not before, and competitive candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Support Chairman - Provide the Chairman with administrative (30%) and personal (20%) support. Including, but not limited to: 

• Manage the Chairman's calendar (business and personal), including complex scheduling involving various timezones, collaborating with internal team members on a daily basis, ensuring alignment on key priorities
• Manage Chairman’s email inbox: bring priority correspondence to his attention, respond on his behalf as necessary, prepare draft correspondence, etc.
• Manage private dinner logistics and other events involving key senior stakeholders: build & manage RSVP lists, obtain quotes from chefs and venues, coordinate follow up with guests, etc.
• Complete monthly expense reports for business-related expenses, arrange travel and correspond with external contacts and internal team members alike to schedule and coordinate meetings and calls 
• Support and vet requests for Chairman to speak at conferences, give workshops, and provide logistical support as needed

Stakeholder Management - Provide the chairman with daily support in maintaining key external relationships related to Purpose, his writing and speaking activities associated with New Power, his bestselling book with Henry Timms; and a new project to network and bring together influential LGBTQ+ leaders from around the world to unleash new ideas, strategies, and resources in support of queer and trans people.

• Maintain and build deep relationships with the Chairman’s extensive personal and professional networks as a trusted broker, while strategically identifying opportunities to engage these networks in support of his special initiatives and the mission of Purpose
• Correspond proactively with external contacts to schedule and coordinate meetings and calls
• Support with special projects, including assisting with high-level, small- and large-scale event planning and execution, both in New York and internationally
• Prepare the Chairman for all engagements with briefings, talking points, and information related to external contacts, frequently by liaising with key internal stakeholders across Purpose and his special initiatives
• Maintain regular daily communication with the Chairman, providing proactive vetting & advice where needed on potential opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholders and promote shared priorities 

Qualifications:

• Ideally 2-3 years previous experience in a role like an executive or personal assistant to a senior staff member, in a role handling complex project- & relationship-management, or with equivalent relevant experience
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to anticipate needs
• Works across multiple priorities can manage timelines, understands the relationship between priorities and resources, and can identify relevant connections across activities and office functions
• A keen eye for detail and meticulous organization skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience communicating effectively and on behalf of an executive
• Has high integrity, a high bar for quality, and a hands-on attitude
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive information 
• Comfortable working with all levels of clients, partners, and employees, including senior executives
• Enjoys administrative tasks and is comfortable taking care of personal tasks as they relate to his role as Chairman
• Proficient with Google Suite, particularly Gmail and Google Calendar
• Proficient with Mac systems and software
• Flexibility on work hours
• Eligible to work

If these are the things that get you up in the morning, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter that gives us insight into your passion and qualifications for the role.

Purpose takes on some of the biggest challenges in the world, which affect people of different identities and backgrounds in different ways. We are stronger and most effective with a diverse team leading the charge and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome the unique contributions that individuals bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

How to apply

1. Please fill out the form below and upload your CV with a PDF format.
2. We kindly ask you to submit your application and CV in English, as this is the standardised language we use here at Purpose.
3. If you don’t have an up to date CV but you are still interested in talking to us, please feel free to add a copy of your LinkedIn profile instead.

We will ask you to voluntarily tell us your pronouns at interview stage, and you will have the option to answer our anonymous demographic questionnaire when you apply below. As an equal employment opportunity employer it’s important to us that our workforce reflects people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences and this data will help us to stay accountable. We thank you for providing this data, if you chose to.

Please note we accept applications on an ongoing basis.