Executive Assistant

The Black Organizing Project is reviving the spirit of Oakland’s Black community through relationship building, leadership development, political education, and policy-change.

About the Black Organizing Project

The Black Organizing Project (BOP) is a Black member-led community organization working for racial, social, and economic justice through grassroots organizing and community-building in Oakland, California and across the Bay Area. In addition to caring for our community, BOP has adopted a more sustainable philosophy for our staff. BOP takes pride in caring for its staff by providing competitive salaries, 4-day work weeks, three paid company-wide seasonal rest periods each year, as well as other perks that promote a healthy work-life balance. While BOP currently observes a hybrid work model, we require all program staff to live within a one-hour driving distance from Oakland, CA.

Our vision is to build a strong bottom-up organization of Black people that will:

• Craft alternative models and institutions that will advance our vision of racial and economic justice
• Rebuild the spirit and foundation of our community
• Exercise political and economic power
• Act to win real systematic change
• Transform the lives of Black people
• Embody the spirit that has sustained the Black community

Organizational Culture

BOP is building toward a free and just world for Black people. Some of the expectations for staff conduct include active participation in building and sustaining a culture of radical care, equity for all members of the BOP team, joyful connection to Black Liberation, and thoughtful understanding of our political and historical experiences.

In service of this goal, staff are expected to:

• Participate in an organizational culture of resolving conflict through transformative justice strategies, as appropriate.
• Engage in generative and compassionate communication.
• Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a joyful, healthy, and positive work environment.

About Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is detail-oriented, exceptionally organized, and committed to building a powerful, member-led Black organizing institution. They are passionate about helping teams stay coordinated with robust organizational infrastructure to achieve our goals. They are resourceful and flexible in changing conditions and are a proactive thinker who generates creative solutions to challenges.

Position Description and Functions

The BOP Executive Assistant will support the Executive Director in being organized, responsive and successful. This is a key position for the organization, so we will be honing it as we move forward. The Executive Assistant reports to the Executive Director.

Executive Support

• Acts as the administrative point of contact between Executive Director and internal/external demands and communications
• Provide comprehensive support services to the Executive Director that ensures outstanding communication and responsiveness
• Provide sophisticated calendar management; prioritize inquiries and requests, troubleshoot conflicts with little guidance, make judgements and recommendations to ensure smooth day-to-day engagements
• Support for the Executive Leadership Team
• Serve as a liaison to Board of Directors
• Manage the calendar and meetings of the Board of Directors
• Prepare and edit correspondence, presentations, reports, and memos
• Conduct research and analysis on issues of interest to the Executive Director
• Process monthly expense reports

Administrative & Program Support

• Manage BOP organizational calendar
• Coordinate staff professional development and political education
• Support the Development Team with filing, calendaring, and coordination of giving activities
• Support the Organizing Team with event and program logistics
• Maintain quality filing and communications systems including contact management, document management, and archiving
• Other administrative duties as assigned

Event & Travel Coordination

• Manage all scheduling and travel logistics for the Executive Director
• Book travel/lodging for staff, board, and members
• Organize meetings and events for convenings, retreats, various board meetings, and other logistics

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years experience as an Executive Assistant
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and familiar using a database
• Familiar with project management systems [like Asana or Monday.com]
• Ability to adapt to different personalities and changing situations
• Ability to be solution-oriented
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and well organized
• Self-motivated with the ability to work and think independently
• Strong time management and multitasking skills
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and Saturdays

• Must have access to reliable transportation
• Willingness to travel as necessary

• Having deep roots in Oakland, graduating from an Oakland Unified School District, or having a child enrolled in Oakland Unified Schools District is a PLUS
• Valid driver's license, insurance, and reliable transportation required
• All positions at BOP are expected to contribute to our campaign work as needed and as directed by staff supervisors and/or Executive Director

Conditions and Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position with a 90-day probationary period. Background check is required for all positions at BOP. For positions working directly with children fingerprinting will be required as well upon job offer.

Compensation: $66,000-$76,000 (depending on experience), plus a 32 hour FTE work week, incredible co-workers, inspiring work, and more.

BOP offers a generous benefits package to all regular full-time employees that includes:

• 100% organization paid medical, dental, vision coverage for the employee and family
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Accrue 14 vacation days in the first year with incremental increases thereafter, 7 sick days annually, 16 paid holidays, 2 unrestricted floating holidays
• 3 paid seasonal closures: 1 week long break in spring, 1 week long break in summer, and 1 in winter between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Eligibility for fully paid 3-week sabbatical program after five years of full time service with the organization
• Professional development funds