Executive Assistant & Board Liaison Specialist

Job Summary

The Count Basie Center for the Arts, in the ever-growing and beautiful Red Bank, New Jersey, seeks a highly skilled Executive Assistant & Board Liaison to provide high-level strategic and administrative support to the CEO/President. This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless day‑to‑day operations, strengthening communication across the organization, and supporting the Board of Trustees with professionalism and precision.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced environment, anticipates needs, and represents the CEO and organization with exceptional judgment, discretion, and clarity.

Organizational Background

Founded in 1926, The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, with a mission to Inspire, Educate and Entertain through its variety of live events, opportunities in arts education and community engagement. Every year, tens of thousands of students and more than a quarter million eventgoers experience Count Basie Center programming.

Over the last decade, the Basie Center organization has grown to include two performances spaces (the historic Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and The Vogel), Basie Center Cinema House on White Street, community theatre company Phoenix Productions, and the Grunin Arts & Education Building, home to all Turner Academy of the Arts programming, including the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts programs. This summer the Basie will also launch ParkStage in collaboration with Monmouth County and the Department of Tourism.

The Count Basie Center embraces and amplifies positive change through diversity and inclusion — from our offerings onstage, to our work in the community and our efforts to recruit the best possible workforce for our nonprofit organization.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and optimize the CEO’s complex and frequently changing schedule, including meetings, travel, conferences and event commitments; setting, confirming, amending and prepping CEO for all appointments.
• Act as the CEO’s primary gatekeeper and traffic controller, prioritizing requests from board members, staff, donors, and partners.
• Represent the CEO professionally during all interactions to be sure the brand of the organization and the CEO as its front-facing leader is represented in tone, expectations and priorities.
• Attend key meetings with the CEO when necessary to capture next steps, drive follow‑through on projects, and support coordination.
• Maintain records and confidential files with discretion and integrity.
• Conduct research, compile data, and prepare reports as requested.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and staff, partners, and stakeholders, staying one step ahead by anticipating needs and proactively preparing materials.
• Organize and prepare board meeting materials, communications, and documentation with accuracy and professionalism.
• Manage communication between CEO and board leadership and committee co-chairs.
• Work closely with the Board Chair, executive committee and chairs of all board committees to coordinate meetings aligning with CEO calendar.
• Collaborate with Development and Communications teams to draft CEO talking points for special events, etc.
• Coordinate logistics for internal and external meetings, events, and presentations.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to other staff members when appropriate from CEO.
• Flexibility to attend evening or weekend events.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, or similar role; minimum 2 years supporting a C‑suite leader preferred.
• Strong scheduling, logistics, and calendar‑management experience required.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workspace.
• Ability to adapt quickly, think ahead, and anticipate needs.
• Comfort using AI‑based productivity tools for drafting, research, and efficiency.
• Nonprofit or arts‑related experience a plus (not required).

This is a full-time, exempt position and eligible for The Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (personal, sick and vacation), insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability) and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match. This position operates on a hybrid schedule that allows for 1 remote workday a week. The annual salary range is $60,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should apply on The Basie website at https://thebasie.org/jobs/. No phone calls please.