Executive Assistant To The President & CEO

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Future Founders believes every youth can become an entrepreneur. We immerse youth in experiences that inspire and empower them to create their own opportunity. We believe this leads to a generation more determined, hopeful and equipped as they engage the future. Since 2005, our programs have served over 35,000 youth. Our national millennial founders generated $33.8M in revenue, secured $36M in capital and created 543 jobs in the last four years alone.

Future Founders was created to foster inclusion in the entrepreneurial community and to seed more diverse founders into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization was established in 2011 through the merger of two programs: one created by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (which now runs 1871) in 2005 and another created by Uptake Technologies Founder & CEO Brad Keywell. Today, the organization serves middle and high school students across Chicago and 18 to 30-year-olds nationally. Join us as we empower the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

For more information visit www.futurefounders.com.

BACKGROUND FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

I am the founding President & CEO of Future Founders and we’re on a mission to change the lives of youth across the country, and create an entrepreneurial community that’s filled with talented, confident and diverse young leaders. Our work is fun, rewarding, and challenging. I am lucky to work with incredibly bright people who are energized to unlock the potential of our students and founders.

As we move into our 10th year of operations, my workload is increasing and I need your help to optimize my time and keep me focused on what’s most important. I’ve never had an executive assistant, but see this role as the most important hire I will make for the foreseeable future. I need you to relieve me of my administrative work and take on special projects so I can focus on work only I can do.

I am looking for a partner who I can trust to ensure everything runs smoothly, and is completed with a high level of quality, accuracy and timeliness. Our team is very goal-oriented, and has high expectations of one another. I want us to be open with each other and provide feedback so we can work together in the best way possible.

I also want you to feel rewarded, motivated and energized. Your hard work is going to allow me to spend more time focusing on growing the organization, supporting our team and working with our students and founders. I want us to work together for a long time and I will be sure to offer competitive compensation and benefits.

Future Founders exists to foster inclusion and ensure everyone has a seat at the table. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply.

KEY DUTIES

We operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and our work is constantly evolving, so I expect your role will evolve as well. These areas will remain a constant for the role:

• Managing my schedule as a gatekeeper and helping me optimize my time.
• Coordinating key meetings and events for internal or external stakeholders.
• Keeping our Salesforce CRM updated with all donor/volunteer information and key meetings.
• Managing the process for awarding scholarships, stipends and affinity program benefits to our students and founders.
• Making sure all expenses are properly recorded and vendor documents are tracked.
• Assist with writing grants and proposals.
• Communicating with potential volunteers, vendors, and other external parties as needed.
• Office management duties including mail, supply orders, organization, and printing/copying.
• Collecting a list of key decisions I need to make each day, such as: documents to review, important emails, follow ups, invitations, deadlines, reminders, etc.
• Taking on additional tasks that are important to me but difficult to complete in between a day fully booked with meetings.

POSITION DETAILS

• Reports to: President & CEO
• Type of Employment: Full-Time Position
• Start Date: March 15, 2021
• Application Deadline: February 10, 2021
• Interviews Begin: February 16, 2021
• Location: Future Founders is headquartered at 1871 (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212, Chicago, IL 60654). The role includes flexibility, with the Executive Assistant working at 1871 and remotely, depending on the President & CEO’s schedule.
• Work Hours: 8:45a-5p Monday - Friday, but some morning, evening and weekend work time will be required throughout the year.

Due to the unprecedented situation of COVID-19, Future Founders has decided to protect our current and future employees by managing our business remotely through at least April 1, 2021. While the majority of the interview and onboarding process will be virtual, at least one interview and some aspects of the role will be in-person subject to proper safety guidelines. Please consider that this role will not be remote long-term and will return to an office setting once we're safe to do so following the guidance of local health authorities’ and the CDC.

PREFERRED CREDENTIALS

• Associate’s Degree or the equivalent. An interest in entrepreneurship or business is helpful.
• 2-3 years of work experience in administration, operations or a coordinator role.
• Experience working in a startup, non-profit or small business environment.
• The strongest candidate will enjoy working on a small team and share our core values (ARCHIE):
  • Accountable
  • Relatable
  • Curiosity
  • High Performing
  • Inclusive
  • Entrepreneurial

DESIRED BACKGROUND, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Emotional maturity, integrity and professionalism are essential.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• The ability to be flexible and deal with change as our needs evolve.
• Have a passion for details and ensuring high levels of quality in all work.
• The ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations.
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Problem solving, interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Have the demonstrable experience, professional credibility and personal attributes necessary to forge productive relationships and demonstrate high levels of “customer” service and responsiveness.
• Demonstrate initiative for assignments and be a self-starter.
• Coachable.
• Experience or interest in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and startup environment.
• Capable of multitasking, prioritizing work and meeting deadlines.
• Technology-oriented with advanced aptitude in the Google suite and Salesforce.
• Must be able to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing up to 40 pounds without assistance.
• Most importantly, we appreciate a good sense of humor and a desire to have fun while making a difference in the lives of youth.

We’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume in a PDF format and cover letter and be sure to address why this role would be a meaningful next step in your career and professional happiness. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

Note: We are not interested in virtual assistants.

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