Executive Assistant​/Manager of Board Operations; BF

Executive Assistant/Manager of Board Operations (BF)

Posted on October 29, 2019

The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. As stewards, Barr nurtures and enhances vital community assets. As catalysts, the Foundation cultivates and advances the breakthrough ideas that will shape our collective future. Barr focuses on achieving impact as a constructive partner, willing to exercise leadership.

Based in Boston, the Foundation focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts and creative expression, advance solutions for climate change, and expand educational opportunity. Barr is one of the largest private foundations in New England with assets of more than $1.9 billion and a 2019 grantmaking budget of $90 million.

A set of core values defined by the Barr Foundation’s founding trustees expresses beliefs about what constitutes effective philanthropy and guides how the Foundation carries out its philanthropic mission. The Foundation is committed to aspire for excellence, act with humility, adopt a long-term perspective, and embrace risk. Additionally, while each program is guided by distinct priorities and goals, Barr embraces a common set of approaches in all aspects of its work, namely flexibility and nimbleness, a broad range of tools, knowledge and learning, openness and transparency, and active collaboration.

Reporting to the President of the Barr Foundation, the Executive Assistant/Manager of Board Operations (“EA/MBO”) handles a range of responsibilities to support the President and Vice President, manages governance-related activities to support the work of the Foundation’s trustees.

Key working relationships include those with the President and Vice President; staff from the Foundation’s related family office, Pilot House Associates, to coordinate activities and tasks involving the President and founding trustees; and the Barr Foundation Board of Trustees, in support of their governance and oversight of Barr’s activities. The EA/MBO also maintains strong working relationships with the various teams across the Foundation.

The EA/MBO must be adaptable and flexible in approach, as some duties and responsibilities will evolve based on both the skills of the incumbent and on the evolving circumstances at the Foundation. In addition to the ongoing responsibilities below, the EA/MBO will participate in and contribute to various all-staff programs and meetings and occasional work groups.

Support for President’s leadership and external engagement (20%)

• Prepare selected briefing and advance materials to support the President’s broad range of activities and engagements, both internally and externally. Projects and assignments will vary, and the capacity to be proactive, diligent and thorough will be essential.
• Conduct background research and analysis for the President, as needed related to writing and speaking engagements

Administrative Support for President (40%)

• Maintain all calendaring, handle limited paper correspondence, and manage all incoming calls; greet visitors to the President and prepare meeting rooms
• Maintain current contact file and support maintenance of electronic files for the President’s office
• Handle invitation requests, conference and meeting registrations, and business-related travel for the President
• Create and submit expense reports for the President using the Nexonia technology platform
• Maintain an annual calendar of President’s key activities to inform the board’s annual performance review of the President

Administrative Support for Vice…