The Seattle Times, a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization and digital media solutions agency, is hiring for an Executive Assistant (Temporary) to provide administrative, project, and logistical support to the Executive Editor. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for serving as the gatekeeper for the editor, demonstrating a knack for customer service and high organizational ability while triaging information and providing support. Successful candidates will be comfortable assisting the newsroom leadership team in coordinating day-to-day logistical, event, customer, personnel, and other matters in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. This varied role requires you to be resolute with matters of confidentiality, especially as it relates to personnel, financial matters, and business strategy. You will report directly to the Executive Editor.

Schedule | This full-time position is scheduled to work during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. As a temporary assignment, this position will provide coverage from November to mid-March.

Responsibilities

• Exercise extensive independent judgement and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Independently, and/or in consultation, develop plans needed to carry out assigned projects and activities; establish methods and schedules to implement and maintain activities for newsroom leaders.
• Facilitate and perform administrative functions in support of newsroom supervisor meetings and team meetings as assigned. Support activities including the timely collection and preparation of draft agendas, prioritizing items in consultation with news leaders to finalize agenda. Disseminate meeting materials, keep meeting notes and coordinate any follow-up.
• Assure a logical flow for scheduling of activities, including preparation and planning time. Work with other administrative assistants or independently to schedule meetings, travel and outside commitments.
• Assist in scheduling panel interviews for applicants being vetted for open positions, working with editors throughout the newsroom and coordinating with the candidates.
• Provide assistance to newsroom staff of roughly 170, addressing needs ranging from ordering supplies to answering questions about logistical procedures and policies.
• Process payroll records for some employees, working in concert with other administrative assistants.
• Help process incoming newsroom mail and assist with outgoing mail as needed.
• Update and share newsroom organizational charts on a regular cadence.
• Track and submit expenses incurred by the Executive Editor, including for out-of-town business travel.
• Support newsroom leaders through positive communication and relations with internal and external customers in an environment that is open and inviting. Maintain relationships with, and responds to contacts from, internal and external customers (such as executives, news staff, newsmakers, news sources, readers, etc.) with the purpose of exchanging information, scheduling meetings and communicating confidential and non-confidential matters.
• Plan events for up to 200 people including in-house logistics and catering.

Qualifications

• Experience: Three to five years of experience as an executive assistant.
• Education: Minimum four years of university or college training in English, liberal arts or related subjects; or graduation from a technical program in secretarial or office support services; or the equivalent education.
• Keyboarding minimum of 60 WPM.
• Expertise in MS Office Suite, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Docs, Sheets and Forms; and Slack.
• Experience with SharePoint a plus.
• Ability to independently solve problems, using research skills to find answers as needed or exploring new technology when appropriate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must demonstrate consistently high degree of accuracy in all aspects of the position.
• Strong organizational, project management and problem-solving skills with impeccable multi-tasking abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to problem solve and maintain strict confidentiality using appropriate discretion as necessary.

Please note: This position requires a criminal background check once an offer is made.

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 2.1 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.