Special Assistant

Special Assistant

You support the Chief Schools Officer to make strategic use of her time and resources so Uncommon can better serve students and school leaders. You'll own day-to-day executive support and run projects that improve CSO operations, partnering across teams and regions to move work forward. In this role you'll combine high-quality administrative execution with project management and communications—helping shape school-facing initiatives and the CSO team's impact across the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

Administrative Excellence

• Manage the CSO's calendar, schedule meetings, and coordinate travel logistics and comprehensive itineraries.
• Prepare daily CSO briefs and weekly calendars to ensure the CSO is prepared for meetings and action items.
• Provide administrative support for the CSO team (credit card reconciliation, reimbursements, and other office tasks).

Meeting & Event Management

• Own planning and logistics for meetings and events: create agendas, prepare presentations, take minutes, and manage follow-up.
• Support external speaking engagements by handling logistics, drafting speeches/presentations, and preparing the CSO for events.

Program & Systems Management

• Create and maintain strategic trackers, rubrics, and project plans to monitor progress toward goals and deadlines.
• Partner with leaders across teams and regions to manage stakeholders and operationalize organization-wide CSO initiatives.
• Support budget management for the CSO and HSI, including green lighting purchases and recommending budget adjustments.

Communications & Culture

• Manage and implement the CSO's communication plan and support inspirational written materials when needed.
• Help shape a joyful, collaborative staff culture within the CSO team and with Home Office leaders.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1–2 years of professional experience; experience in K–12 education or in an executive-level support role is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and follow projects through to completion.
• High level of discretion handling confidential information and interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to travel frequently (weekly travel between NYC and Newark; monthly travel to Boston, Rochester, and/or Camden) and to work occasional weekends as needed.
• Physical requirements:
  
  moderate physical activity including standing or walking for periods, setting up equipment or materials, and occasionally carrying items up to 20–40 lbs.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience as an assistant to senior leaders, or prior school operations/teacher experience within K–12 settings.
• Experience creating presentations, managing trackers, or operationalizing programs.