Special Assistant to the CPO and COO

Overview

Ascend is seeking a highly organized, self-starter to work with Ascend’s chief people officer (CPO) and chief operations officer (COO). The ideal candidate must thrive in a fast-paced, energetic environment and relish building systems and structures that create a high-performing organization.

The special assistant to the CPO and COO will be responsible for coordinating operations of the executive team and for providing diverse and complex support services. They will lead the planning and execution of meetings, manage busy executive calendars and email, and connect the dots that inform Ascend’s strategic and daily agenda. They will also design, manage, and execute special projects related to the advancement of Ascend’s strategic initiatives or executive projects.

Why extraordinary professionals work at Ascend

Ascend is the largest Brooklyn-based public charter school serving nearly 7,000 K-12 students in 17 schools. We exist to serve every student – to help them embody their inherent excellence by providing rich, joyful learning experiences that unlock a life of boundless choice.

Access to education is a social justice issue. As educators, we center justice and live out our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) by ensuring that our students have the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive today and in the future. We are proud to have a workforce that mirrors the diversity seen in our students. Working at Ascend provides a community focused on developing an environment of support and belonging. Educators collaborate closely and encourage each other to achieve great outcomes.

Our schools honor, nurture, and challenge the whole child. Ascend fosters critical thinking skills and a love of learning through an inquiry-based learning approach, Responsive Classroom model, and anti-racist education. We are deeply committed to advancing educational equity for all of our students. Students at Ascend benefit from a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures natural curiosity about the world and guides them to think critically and independently.

For more information on Ascend Public Charter Schools’ model, approach, and core values, please visit our website.

Responsibilities

Working in partnership with the chief people officer and chief operations officer, the special assistant to the CPO and COO will:

• work integrally with the leadership team, supporting them in the planning, execution, and follow up for weekly leadership team meetings, monthly all-staff meetings, and other leadership learning and communication forums;
• with the CPO and COO, support the planning, material preparation, execution, and follow-up for the regular team meetings;
• coordinate and manage executive leaders’ busy calendars, and provide other administrative supports to ensure that leadership time is effectively leveraged;
• screen, follow-up, and when appropriate, respond to emails, mail and telephone calls on behalf of the chief people and chief operations officer;
• manage special projects as required that necessitate understanding of the organization, its goals, and direction to effectively implement;
• develop relationships with key stakeholders within and outside Ascend, representing the office of the CPO and COO with professionalism and knowledge;
• serve as a partner to support the systems and structures that lend to a robust administrative backbone at the network office;
• listen to the needs of others, respond and adapt, and build relationships of trust across diverse teams;
• draft confidential correspondence, edit documents, take meeting minutes, and perform other administrative duties
• coordinate operations of the executive team ensuring the officers function effectively and efficiently;
• identify and take the lead on critical issues that require the attention of the officer’s team; and maintain confidentiality on all matters;
• plan and execute special events; and
• performs other duties, as needed.
  
  
  

Staff and reporting relationships

The special assistant works for the CPO and COO but will report directly to the CPO and collaborate closely with other members of the officer’s table.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of four (4) years of relevant administrative or education space experience preferred
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Suite; comfort in learning and leveraging new technology
• Clear, concise, and accurate written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated integrity and discretion
• High attention to detail, with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency, accuracy and professionalism
• Flexible to troubleshoot and handle matters after business hours as necessary
• Exceptional organizational, time management and planning skills; ability to backward plan and set and achieve priorities while working with multiple team members and competing priorities
• Strong partnering, rapport-building, and relationship management skill across a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to balance teamwork with self-direction and drive to solve practical problems and deliver results
• A team player with a positive attitude and the ability to work independently
  
  
  

Diversity at Ascend

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this position is $70,000 - $75,000. Several factors such as candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York City.