Special Assistant to the CEO

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Job Title: </strong>Special Assistant to the CEO</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Department:</strong> Executive Administration</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Location:</strong> Washington, D.C. (In-office)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reports to:</strong> CEO</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Direct Reports:</strong> Yes</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Classification:</strong> Exempt</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Position type:</strong> Full-Time Employee</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Pay Band:</strong> $87,000 - $120,000</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Blue Star Families</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families. We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We’re a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges, including frequent relocations, deployments, career disruptions, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we’re driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who We’re Looking For:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What You’ll Do Here:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Help military families feel at home wherever they live</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>General Description</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is a unique opportunity to work closely with a visionary founder in growing what has already become the largest nonprofit in America supporting military families at both the national and local level.&nbsp; Under the CEO’s leadership BSF has grown consistently 20 percent year over year for 16 years.&nbsp; The Special Assistant to the CEO is a demanding position that will allow an individual to have a large effect on a critical mission, engage with senior leaders in Government, military, corporate and nonprofit sectors, and learn how to lead a complex and fast growing organization.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Special Assistant to the CEO serves as the primary point of contact enabling the CEO’s success in the complex role of representing Blue Star Families and growing its influences and resources to meet its expanding mission.&nbsp; This is a complex and exciting position for a high energy, strategically creative individual. The position involves all aspects of preparation and cross-organization integration regarding the CEO’s demanding schedule and extensive communications.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is a high-trust, high-impact role that integrates elements of logistics, strategy, and communications into a single function. The individual will operate at the center of the CEO’s work—ensuring her time is strategically allocated, and she is well prepared and resourced to create meaningful outcomes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is an in-office role requiring on-site presence in our office in Washington DC up to five days per week, given the real-time coordination, executive proximity, and rapid decision-making required to support the CEO effectively. In addition the special assistant will accompany and support the CEO at meetings, engagements and events in DC and occasionally beyond the local area.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In addition, this role requires the ability to travel overnight several times per year to attend team offsites, leadership sessions, and company-wide events.&nbsp; These engagements are mandatory to this position. Frequent local and occasional overnight travel are essential functions of this position.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Desired traits include having strong EQ and the ability to think, respond and produce quickly in a fast moving environment.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Key Job Functions</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as the primary owner of the CEO’s time architecture, managing the calendar as a strategic asset rather than an administrative function</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Evaluate, triage, and prioritize inbound requests for CEO engagement, exercising strong strategic judgment on relevance and impact</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Design and manage intentional travel and engagement strategies aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Identify, map, and maintain awareness of key external stakeholders and influence networks across policy, corporate, philanthropic, and media sectors</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Proactively secure high-value opportunities for CEO participation in convenings, forums, partnerships, and strategic meetings</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drive introductions and cultivate access to decision-makers and networks that advance organizational visibility and influence</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lead preparation of executive briefing materials for all external engagements, ensuring clarity of objectives, messaging, and stakeholder context</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ensure the CEO is fully prepared for every engagement with concise, high-quality briefing documents and talking points</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Partner with internal teams to align briefing materials with organizational strategy, programmatic priorities, and current initiatives</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Support consistency of CEO narrative and voice in coordination with Communications and external public relations partners</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Draft and refine select CEO communications, including social media content tied to engagements, travel, and key moments, as well as priority correspondence</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as the CEO’s primary in-room coordinator at high-profile events and convenings, managing flow, timing, and stakeholder engagement</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ensure optimal use of CEO time during events by actively managing access, priorities, and real-time engagement decisions</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Capture insights, commitments, and outcomes from meetings and external engagements</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Own and maintain a structured follow-up system to ensure timely execution of commitments and relationship continuity</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Track opportunities, relationships, and strategic engagements tied to CEO external activity</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coordinate across internal teams—including Communications, Development, Programs, and Government Relations—to ensure alignment and readiness for CEO engagements</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serve as a central coordination point for CEO-related initiatives, ensuring seamless integration between external engagements and internal execution</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perform other duties as assigned</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Required Experience, Skills &amp; Background</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Relevant experience in executive office, political, policy, nonprofit, or high-level external affairs environments.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Proven experience in roles such as Chief of Staff, senior scheduler, executive office lead, campaign senior staff, or equivalent high-trust operator roles</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exceptional judgment in prioritization, with the ability to distinguish high-impact opportunities from low-value demands</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong executive presence with demonstrated ability to operate confidently with senior leaders, including CEOs, governors, military leaders, and other high-profile stakeholders</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exceptional writing ability, with demonstrated experience drafting executive-level communications, speeches, or public-facing materials in a senior voice</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Demonstrated ability to manage complex logistics, competing priorities, and fast-moving environments with precision and calm</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">High level of discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive relationships and information</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong organizational and systems-thinking skills, with experience managing structured follow-up and accountability systems</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with executive intent and organizational priorities</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to work on-site in a full-time, five-days-per-week in-office capacity</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to travel locally on a regular basis to support meetings, convenings, and external engagements in the surrounding region</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ability to assist with event logistics, including the physical setup or transport of materials and supplies (up to approximately 30 lbs), as part of supporting on-site engagements and convenings</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Limited out-of-town/overnight travel may be required to attend meetings, trainings, events, etc.</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Desired Experience, Skills &amp; Background</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Masters degree in public policy, political science, public administration, communications, or related field preferred</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Background in congressional (Hill), White House, campaign, gubernatorial/state political, policy, or equivalent high-level government or political environments strongly preferred</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Familiarity with military, veteran, or national security ecosystems and stakeholder networks</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience supporting or managing high-profile external engagement strategies for senior leaders</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Background in external affairs, government relations, philanthropy, or partnership development</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience working with communications teams or public relations partners on executive messaging</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and relationship tracking tools</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Experience managing or coordinating high-level convenings, conferences, or stakeholder events</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong understanding of cross-sector influence networks (policy, corporate, philanthropic, media)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Comfort operating in mission-driven, fast-evolving organizational environments undergoing growth and transformation</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>More About Blue Star Families</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>EEO Policy</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.</span></p>