Who you are:

Vera’s Development Department is tasked with helping the organization secure the funding it needs to meet its expenses. Though we sometimes assist with government grants and contracts, we are primarily focused on raising funds from philanthropic, non-governmental sources—individuals, foundations, and corporations. Two key fundraising goals for Vera are to raise more dollars that aren’t restricted by donors to specific projects and to raise a greater proportion of our revenue from philanthropic sources. Staff in our department work toward those goals through specialized fundraising events, foundation relations and grantwriting, individual donor fundraising, online fundraising, donor and prospect research, and development operations.

The Assistant to the Vice President of Development will provide direct support to the Vice President of Development and is responsible for the efficient and effective execution of administrative processes supporting the functioning of the Development team. The Assistant will perform a wide range of complex and confidential administrative and clerical support duties, will serve as the initial point of contact between the Vice President and external and internal stakeholders, and will project manage administrative functions in support of the Vice President’s leadership of the Development team

What you'll do:

Administrative Coordination

• Provide high-level administrative support to the Vice President of Development, managing their calendar, scheduling appointments, coordinating meetings, and prioritizing items that require their attention.
• Proactively manage and prioritize correspondence, including drafting emails and generating acknowledgments on behalf of the Vice President of Development and ensuring timely response
• Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking flights, accommodations, and transportation, and preparing detailed itineraries.
• Attend meetings with the Vice President of Development, take minutes, and follow up on action items and deliverables.
• Execute administrative support tasks including Amex reconciliation, conference room reservation, and development guest entry protocols for Vera offices
• Collaborate with other executive assistants and team members to ensure smooth workflow and efficient operations within the department

Project Management

• Schedule and support the facilitation of departmental meetings (including agenda creation and circulation of meeting notes) and manage departmental calendar
• Manage inter-departmental coordination and scheduling to support the functions of VP of Development’s key priorities (including the support of hiring and onboarding new Development team members)
• Assist in the coordination and execution of special projects, events, or initiatives led by the Vice President of Development

Information Management

• Support the maintenance of and iterate upon the digital information management system which serves as the information hub of the Development office (EveryAction CRM)
• Liaise with Development operations to ensure timely and accurate documentation of VP of Development and leadership team communications with funders
• In partnership with VP, create and refine standard operating procedures to maximize strategic efficiency in both VP and team’s daily work
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with utmost discretion

Other Duties as Assigned

• Stay updated on industry trends, organizational policies, and relevant information to effectively support the Vice President of Development
• Assist VP of Development with special projects as needed

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required:

• Proven experience as an executive assistant or in a similar administrative role, preferably supporting senior-level executives or department heads (1-3 years experience)
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, multitask, and adhere to deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficient using productivity tools, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, project management software, and calendar management applications
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity
• Enthusiasm for social justice and human rights and commitment to the mission of the Vera Institute of Justice

Preferred:

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate needs and proactively address issues
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating effectively with colleagues at all levels
• Flexibility and adaptablity to changing priorities and requirements
• Professional demeanor, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, New York office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $70,000 - 72,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff—both personally and professionally—is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Assistant to Vice President, Development
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

In order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org