The Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 with a mission to develop technology, talent, and ideas that support a better, freer, and more abundant future. Ours is a politics of builders, hackers, and founders working to advance a more perfect union between technology and the American republic.
To further this mission, FAI is seeking a Special Assistant to the CEO. The Special Assistant will also support FAI's EVP and will be responsible for handling administrative tasks for executives, preparing leadership for high-stakes meetings, and driving projects across FAI. They will have the opportunity to see how a fast-growing policy organization runs, and to take on real ownership as they earn it.
This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. We seek a motivated, resourceful, and detail-oriented individual who can execute key priorities and grow quickly into a crucial resource for staff and scholars. The ideal candidate wants to lead a team, program, or organization one day and sees working alongside FAI's leadership as the fastest way to learn how.
What to expect
This role is an apprenticeship. You will work directly for the CEO, who holds very high standards, notices small mistakes, and gives frequent, direct feedback. Much of the work is unglamorous, and the job is to do it well before being handed bigger responsibilities. People who have succeeded in roles like this at FAI have gone on to lead teams and programs here and elsewhere. The role suits someone who wants to learn fast, treats criticism as useful information, and does not need to be told what to do next.
Responsibilities
The Special Assistant will keep FAI's CEO focused on his highest priorities, support the EVP, and advance broader organizational objectives. The Special Assistant will:
- Manage the CEO's scheduling, communications, and day-to-day logistics, and help the EVP as needed
- Prepare agendas, briefing materials, and talking points for meetings with policymakers, donors, board members, and partners
- Track decisions and action items across the leadership team and follow through until they are closed
- Support FAI board meetings, staff retreats, fellowships, and events, including logistics, preparation, and day-of execution
- Handle confidential information with discretion
As they prove themselves, the Special Assistant will take ownership of projects such as:
- Supporting fundraising through donor research, proposals, and reports
- Building internal systems and AI-enabled workflows that save staff time
- Scoping and leading special projects for FAI's leadership
Qualifications
We expect this to be an early-career hire, and we welcome applicants from all professional backgrounds. Competitive applicants will have:
- Enthusiastic support for FAI's mission and a keen interest in our community of builders, hackers, and policy experts
- Exceptional attention to detail and the organizational skills to manage many priorities without letting any slip
- The ability to write clearly and quickly
- The resourcefulness to figure things out without step-by-step instructions, and the judgment to know when to ask
- The ability to take direct criticism, learn from it, and not repeat the same mistake
- Comfort being the most junior person in the room while acting on behalf of senior leaders
- A strong desire to learn how organizations, fundraising, and policy work
- Bonus but not required: experience coordinating events, programs, or operations in a policy, nonprofit, or academic environment
Physical requirements: Ability to frequently navigate multiple flights of stairs throughout the workday in a multi-story facility without elevator access.
Benefits and Perks
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- $1,000 annual book credit
- Monthly commuter benefit
- Unlimited vacation policy
- An annual salary of $65,000–$85,000 (greater compensation considered for exceptional candidates)
To apply, please complete this form. Finalists will complete a short paid work exercise.
FAI is an equal-opportunity employer. We review applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, uniformed services, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
