Reports to: President & CEO
Based In: Washington, DC
Overview
The Special Assistant to the President & CEO is a dual-hatted role based in Washington, DC.
The successful candidate will serve as the primary substantive assistant to the President & CEO of the Council ensuring that the strategic and policy initiatives and responsibilities of the President & CEO are executed in a timely and efficient manner. S/he will manage his relationships with key government stakeholders and help execute major projects and programs for the Council. S/he will be privy to the inner workings of the Council and assist in the development of strategy in all aspects of the Council’s workflow. S/he will help develop and support the President & CEO’s schedule and coordinate with the Senior Leadership team of the Council.
In addition, the role will serve as the gatekeeper for internal and external communications for the US-ASEAN Business Council. The successful candidate will develop and implement effective communications plans and deliverables in support of communication goals for the organization to ensure that its programs and priorities are accurately and effectively promoted, explained, and represented. S/he will monitor media/press in Southeast Asia and internationally for mention of the Council, act as the primary point of contact for requests from the media, and collaborate with Council staff in Washington and throughout Southeast Asia on the development of press release drafts and other materials, including digital and social media communications. S/he will be responsible for a monthly newsletter from the President to the Council’s members. In addition, s/he is expected to develop contacts with key media representatives covering the trade, international affairs and Southeast Asia beats, and academics and think tank leaders. S/he will also assist and support the planning, preparation, and execution of major events at the Council and will devote a portion of time to providing support to the membership and international trade teams. S/he must be highly organized, possess extreme attention to detail and be able to manage multiple tasks at the same time. S/he must also be able to handle confidential material in a professional and responsible manner.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with the President & CEO and Senior Leadership to develop and implement the Council’s overall strategy
- On a day-to-day basis, help manage the workflow in the office of the President & CEO
- Draft, edit, and proof-read letters and papers prior to their delivery to the President & CEO
- Take meeting minutes and manage follow-up from meetings both internal and external
- Evaluate current events and media reports in the United States and Asia Pacific that may impact the work of the Council and work with the President & CEO on strategic response
- Liaise with key external stakeholders in U.S. and ASEAN governments, including serving as the chief point of contact for congressional offices
- Coordinate and implement communications and public relations strategies for the Council
- Oversee and manage the creation and development of the Council’s public organs, including the President’s Newsletter
- Coordinate with the Council’s web and social media team
- Arrange and manage logistics for press availabilities for the President & CEO
- Other areas as may be assigned, including support for press and logistics for Council events in the United States such as the annual Gala, the annual UN General Assembly week in New York, the Ambassadors’ Tours and Trade Ministers’ Roadshow as appropriate, as well as other events
- Support the Membership and International Trade Teams as needed
- Manage projects and initiatives driven by the President & CEO as well as other special projects
Qualifications
- 1-3 years of work experience in communications, public affairs and/or media relations role
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in business administration, international relations, political science, and/or journalism, public relations, English or a closely related field preferred, including strong academic credentials. Graduate level education in these areas is a plus.
- Exposure to and experience with American companies is preferred
- A minimum requirement for this U.S.-based position is the ability to work legally in the United States on a permanent basis (U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or Qualifying Asylee/Refugee)
- Must be extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Must have excellent verbal and written skills, including editing and proofreading
- Must be a charismatic external communicator while engaging members and stakeholders
- Must have solid understanding of print, broadcast, and online/social media
- Must be able to professionally interact with executives and government officials from support staff to CEOs, Presidents, and Prime Ministers
- Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours as Council has offices in Southeast Asia and often does conference calls, including staff calls in evenings and early mornings
- Must be able to work independently on multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Must be proficient in Windows Office 365 software
- Must have experience in strategizing and composing public communications
- Must be able to handle multiple demands at the same time and work ahead of deadlines and anticipate problems and challenges
- Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment and balance priorities
- Must be a team player and a good motivator, interested in helping to keep team spirits high while under deadline pressure
- Must be able to handle confidential information professionally
- A knowledge of the U.S. government, ASEAN and/or the countries of Southeast Asia a plus.
Application Procedures
Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to jobs@usasean.org.