Executive Assistant to the President of Beyond Plastics

Bennington College is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the President and Founder of Beyond Plastics as the team enters an exciting phase with multiple new initiatives and events, a growing advocacy and organizing constituency, and the publishing of their first book, The Problem with Plastic.  The ideal candidate will be based in the Upstate New York/Southern Vermont area, as this position will require travel to local and regional meetings, as well as events in the Albany-Southern VT Region. 

The Executive Assistant will be instrumental to the overall stability and success of the Beyond Plastics organization and requires a broad range of administrative responsibilities and excellent technology and organizational skills. This administrative professional will work closely with the President of Beyond Plastics and the senior leadership team of Beyond Plastics to support the mission-driven impact. 

The ideal candidate will bring a high level of professionalism, strong judgment, and exceptional communication skills to thrive in a fast-paced setting. This position requires someone who is able to expertly manage a complex calendar, coordinate meetings, arrange travel, and handle multiple requests simultaneously. The Executive Assistant to the President will anticipate the President's needs, proactively identify ways to streamline workflows, and address potential challenges. This position is fast-paced and deadline-driven, and requires critical thinking, attention to detail, high-level technology skills, and a diverse portfolio of accountabilities. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as the President’s primary point of contact, providing support to ensure that reminders are provided and the President is up-to-speed on organizational meetings and staff matters.


• Manage a complex calendar for the President, coordinating meetings, arranging travel, and handling multiple requests simultaneously. 


• Manage the President’s accountabilities generally, and in relation to the promotion of Beyond Plastics’ book, The Problem with Plastics, to support all public appearances, events, and internal and external meetings, as well as materials and mailings.


• Ability to anticipate the President's needs, proactively identify ways to streamline workflows, and address potential challenges. 


• Support the Managing Director’s work in relation to the President’s schedule and in relation to the organizational management of staff and systems.


• Support the President and Managing Director’s workload to include, but not be limited to: hosting Zoom meetings; data entry; YAMMs; assisting with small events; and technology assistance.


• Support the President’s email, track key items, and enact daily reminders; send emails on the President’s behalf when requested.


• Ability to manage deadline-driven workflow in a fast-paced team.


• Take notes in weekly staff meetings, policy team meetings, book promotion meetings, and all other regular multi-staff and external meetings attended by the President, and follow up on action items and decisions.


• Process credit card statements of the President and Managing Director, as well as the Development Director, as assigned. 


• Support the processing of staff reimbursements to the Business Office.  


• Troubleshoot technical issues and scheduling issues for the President.


• Connect and coordinate with the Advisory Board as requested by the President and Managing Director.


• Handle mailings/bulk mailings (e.g., book-related, gift-related, etc.) for the President, including address research, data entry, physical mailings, etc.


• During key times as assigned, when the State Legislature is in session, assist with on-site logistics and attend lobby days (generally in January and May) and special policy-related events. Logistics include, but are not limited to: printing; filing; registering attendees; event set-up and break-down; food purchases and procurement; kitchen duties; follow-up laundry; etc


• Granular to-do tracking, such as call lists, written communications, and basic tasks.


• Assist in the planning and coordination of all-staff virtual and in-person meetings for beyond plastics team in collaboration with the Managing Director.


• Assist with the completion and refining of the President’s external presentations and deadline-driven special projects.


• Additional duties as assigned; demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to supporting the organization's mission.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion and acceptable results of a background check. 

Qualifications 

1. Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.


2. A minimum of three years of executive or administrative assistant experience is required. 


3. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.


4. High level of technology proficiency; Google Workspace experience preferred; effective troubleshooting skills and good judgment.


5. Familiarity with, or ability to learn, Action Network.


6. A strong interest in environmental protection and a commitment to the goals of Beyond Plastics.


7. A demonstrated commitment to social equity and racial justice, and an eagerness to understand how these issues are related in communities impacted by plastic pollution


8. Ability to work well within a team of motivated individuals.


9. Skilled at managing projects with tight deadlines.  


10. Ability to work independently to deliver organizational outcomes.


11. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively; critical thinking, attention to detail, high-level technology skills, and a diverse portfolio of accountabilities. 


12. Ability to respond to small requests (e.g., assistance in formatting a document) and to complex responsibilities (e.g., coordinating travel for multiple staff in different locations at the same time) with the same level of urgency and professionalism.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $65,000.

ABOUT BEYOND PLASTICS

Founded in 2019 by Judith Enck, Beyond Plastics is a growing project housed at Bennington College with the mission to end plastic pollution everywhere. Currently, a team of 16 deeply committed individuals working remotely, Beyond Plastics focuses on policy and advocacy, building a grassroots movement, and educating the public to further its mission. You will be an employee of Bennington College, working only on issues related to Beyond Plastics.

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values.  The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.