Executive Assistant

New England Forestry Foundation

The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) is an advocate for cutting-edge, forest-based natural climate solutions. NEFF is a conservation landowner that actively manages forestland, a generator of new information and science on issues involving improved forest practices, and an active collaborator in support of ecologically aligned forestry.

This position posting comes in the context of a significant period of growth for NEFF focused on how climate-smart forestry can be implemented across New England and as a national and international model for climate-smart forestry on private lands. The USDA recently awarded NEFF a $30 million grant under their Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program for the New England Climate-Smart Commodities Partnership project. This program represents an unprecedented opportunity to pilot scalable, carbon-saving forest management practices as part of a systems approach including forestland protection, wildland preservation and building with wood to store carbon and displace carbon-intensive materials. With this USDA funding, NEFF will define and implement a groundbreaking and nationally relevant pilot program in New England to build a climate-smart, forest-based economy as a powerful tool for climate action.

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant is responsible for providing a wide range of support to the organization’s Executive Director and other senior staff with a focus on increasing the number of donor and partner interactions and acting as an effective liaison to the Board of Directors. The position will also provide support in the planning and execution of key organizational projects including the Board of Advisors working group, and occasional event planning with assistance from the development department. The position requires strong organizational skills, comfort communicating by phone and email with donors and leaders of partner organizations, coordinating activities among staff, and—as a member of a small but ambitious staff—willingness to pitch in on diverse tasks as needed.

Principal Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal hub of coordination among senior staff, board members and donors to drive forward organizational success.
• Schedule donor meetings via phone and email.
• Support project planning for the development department and major organizational initiatives and track progress against plans.
• Provide support in donor outreach and coordination of schedules.
• Assist ED and other senior staff with donor and partner meeting follow up.
• Make travel arrangements for the ED and other senior staff as needed.
• Organize staff meetings, department head meetings, retreats, and other means of formal and informal communication to maintain a sense of unity of purpose across staff and board.
• Plan and implement occasional events, both on-site and off-site, in partnership with the development department.
• Schedule and assist in occasional corporate volunteer opportunities.
• Serve as staff point person for the Board of Advisor group; work alongside board and staff to best leverage this working group in support of NEFF’s mission.
• Schedule board and committee meetings.
• Develop board and committee materials and agendas as requested.
• Take minutes of board and committee meetings.
• Prepare presentations and materials for the board, committee, and staff meetings.
• Assist with planning and coordinating the Annual Meeting.
• Coordinate conference attendance, sponsorship and exhibitor schedules.
• Prepare and/or verify invoices and receipts.

Preferred Experience and Requirements

• Energy, drive, and a positive can-do approach to challenges.
• Desire to facilitate organizational success and to take on responsibilities and challenges as needed to secure that success.
• Professional yet friendly phone manner. Not hesitant to make cold calls.
• High-quality, compelling writer.
• Outstanding people skills. Able to choose the right means of communication and the appropriate timing for sensitive communications.
• Extremely organized and detail oriented in one’s own work. Enjoys organizing the work of others. Demonstrated skill in organizing teams of people to deliver successful outcomes.
• Enthusiastic team player. Enjoys participating in a team that delivers high-quality results even when personal contributions are somewhat behind-the-scenes.
• Facility with Microsoft Office, Outlook and a fundraising database program such as Raiser’s Edge, or demonstrated proficiency at rapidly mastering new software applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, environmental studies, forestry, sustainability, or related fields.
• Understanding of New England’s physical, social and political landscape.
• Passion for conservation.
• Growth potential within a rapidly developing organization.

This position is hybrid with the expectation that at least 2 days per week will be at NEFF’s main office in Littleton, MA.

New England Forestry Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. NEFF commits to respecting and learning from different perspectives, reflecting the diverse citizens and communities of New England. In hiring, mentoring, and managing staff, the organization seeks to maintain a diverse, supportive, friendly, and discrimination-free workplace.