FREEDOM READS IS HIRING!

Executive Assistant | New Haven, Connecticut

Freedom Reads’ mission is to inspire and confront what prison does to the spirit. We bring beautiful, handcrafted bookcases into prisons, transforming cell blocks into Freedom Libraries. Founded in 2020 with a $5.25 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, Freedom Reads is the only organization in the country using the beauty and transformative power of a library to honor the dignity of the lives of people in prison. Since late 2021, Freedom Reads has opened over 239 Freedom Libraries across 10 states and 30 correctional facilities, and distributed more than 100,000 books to incarcerated readers in two dozen correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers.

DO you want to work somewhere your skills are appreciated? Looking to work in a supportive team environment? Freedom Reads is looking to add a dynamic individual to our finance team. It is a unique opportunity to be both mission focused and use your financial skills to build a national non-profit from the ground up.

For more information on Freedom Reads, please visit https://freedomreads.org/.

WHAT WE NEED:

The Executive Assistant to the CEO and Founder will be responsible for managing the CEO’s complex and demanding travel and calendar, scheduling meetings with executive and c-level stakeholders, managing and tracking the CEO’s expenses through weekly input into Expensify, preparing materials for meetings, and drafting correspondence on behalf of the CEO.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of support to Executives in demanding positions, a record of good judgment, and the ability to exercise thoughtfulness and sensitivity in handling confidential matters. Additionally, they will be skilled at multitasking and logistics management, detail-oriented, and a good writer and communicator.

Essential Functions :

● Provide full administrative support to the CEO and Founder.

• Assist the CEO with follow-up of actions including developing an excellent system with the CEO for follow-ups

● Proactively support the CEO with internal and external commitments in a fast-paced and changing environment while always providing exceptional client service to internal and external stakeholders.

● Organize and schedule external and internal meetings and events, proactively managing complex calendars.

● Coordinate travel arrangements including flights, hotels and ground transportation.

● Process CEO’s expenses accurately and on a timely basis.

● Prepare professional business communication including memos, letters, invoices and emails for the CEO and from time-to-time other executive team members.

● Assist with creating, preparing and proofreading meeting materials.

● Conduct research and gather information to help answer questions and solve problems as assigned and directed by the CEO.

● Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally.

• Work closely with the CEO and executive team to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, and follow up appropriately.

● Plan and support organizational events and manage high priority executive team meetings, including board meetings including taking notes and detailed follow-ups as needed

● Execute ad-hoc projects and events on behalf of the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience Any combination of professional experience, volunteer work, coursework, and other transferable skills may be applied toward these qualifications.

● Bachelor's degree in a field that requires strong writing, communication, and problem solving.

• Flexibility and willingness to work some early morning or late hours as needed

● A minimum of 10 years of experience with 5 years of professional experience working in executive support capacity in a fast paced and demanding position, administration/office management

● Strong writing and communication skills and meticulous attention to detail and follow-up

● Ability to juggle multiple and overlapping projects

● Excellent decision-making skills: ability to anticipate needs, think critically and offer solutions ● Highly proficient with technology including word, excel, power point, expensify, google suite of tools.

● Understanding of and/or experience working in systems associated with mass incarceration is desirable

● Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice and experience working with diverse communities

● Sound judgment, a high level of integrity, professionalism, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor. Ability to be persuasive in communicating ideas.

● Adaptable—manages a constantly changing business climate.

● Communicates effectively in different contexts, including those pertaining to various populations, persons, situations, or environments. Clear, direct, and succinct writer.

● Collaborative, organized, and detail-oriented.

● Versatile—a multidisciplinary and multi-constituency perspective with an ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

● Commitment to Freedom Reads' mission, values, and principles is required as is demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described here are representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Sedentary work. Often standing or sitting for prolonged periods; spending extended amounts of time working on computers. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer monitor; extensive reading; transcribing, etc.

● Activities that occur occasionally are moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another; adjusting or moving objects less than 50 pounds in all directions. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from office equipment.

●Occasional travel as needed

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SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this position ranges from $70,000 – $80,000 per year depending on relevant experience. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Freedom Reads’ total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement plan options with employer contribution, up to 20 days of paid time off, 12 paid holidays, the week between Christmas and New Year’s off, and more.

WORKING FOR FREEDOM READS

Freedom Reads is committed to the principles of justice and aims to build an environment where everyone is treated fairly and enjoys working together. The organization values new perspectives and strives to make its positions accessible to people from all backgrounds. We welcome applications from nontraditional candidates and those with lived experience of incarceration.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete applications must include a cover letter and resume. Application should be submitted to Terri Steingrebe at terri@freedomreads.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Freedom Reads is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our operating and in our hiring. Candidates with personal insight into the experience of incarceration are encouraged to apply.

www.freedomreads.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Executive & Personal Assistants: 5 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hamden, CT 06517: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person