Special Assistant

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JOB TITLE: Special Assistant

REPORTS TO: President and CEO

LOCATION: Memphis, TN

SALARY RANGE: $59,000 - $65,000 Annually

FLSA STATUS: Full - Time, Exempt

MMI Overview: Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) invests in youth, local communities, and Memphis' musical legacy by broadening and strengthening existing music engagement offerings and supporting youth-centered, community-based music programs. Through various investment strategies, MMI seeks to: 1) sustain youth music engagement and expand instruction through partnerships with local musicians; 2) expand high-quality programming to reach more youth and remove barriers to youth engagement and participation; 3) support organizations that are providing music engagement to enhance their sustainability and scale high quality programming. From gospel to rock, soul to country, hip-hop to classical, MMI supports all forms of musical expression that have created a powerful musical legacy and tradition in Memphis and contribute to our vision of Black and brown creative liberation. Find out more about MMI at www.memphisismusic.org.

Position Overview

Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) is seeking a sharp, resourceful, and mission-focused Special Assistant to the CEO. This role is vital to helping to advance MMI's vision for creative youth development and cultural liberation in Memphis. If you're energized by the work of cultivating the next generation of creatives and thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you'll work directly with our CEO to make sure the executive office is well-organized and functions effectively, helping to drive MMI's vision forward with seamless execution. Your attention to detail and ability to anticipate needs and collaborate across the organization will be essential in supporting key projects, partnerships, and daily operations. This role is part executive assistant, part project/relationship manager.

Essential functions include

• Communications and Organization: Keep CEO communications organized and up to date on projects using Monday (project management platform) to maintain an accurate, responsive contact database
• Board Engagement: Own all aspects of monthly board meeting preparation, including board coordination and communication, material creation, attendance and board minutes, tracking deliverables and information, and assisting in the recruitment of fresh voices who resonate with our mission of creative liberation and youth empowerment
• Calendar Management: Oversee the CEO's schedule through Calendly and Google Calendar, ensuring smooth, well-timed meetings and events, conducting relevant research and preparing relevant materials in advance
• InterMMIssion Coordination: Lead the charge on this annual internal program, setting the rhythm for communication and collaboration between all staff, and working cohesively with everyone to develop and coordinate an agenda and annual calendar of events
• Event Support: Collaborate with the Office Assistant on team events that reflect our spirit; accompany and/or represent the CEO at key community meetings and gatherings; and prepare for meaningful engagement
• Research and Special Projects: Conduct research on key initiatives and provide insights that inform the CEO's work on strategic projects
• AI and Innovation: Bring-or develop-expertise in AI, helping MMI leverage new technologies for future-forward operations
• Presentation Support: Develop basic design and visual skills to craft clear, impactful presentations
• Partnership Collaboration: Join initial meetings with potential partners, working alongside the Director of Partnerships to assess alignment and possibilities for collaboration
• Senior Leadership Liaison: Communicate directly with senior leadership on behalf of the CEO and facilitate progress updates that keep the CEO aligned and focused on shared goals
• Briefing and Reporting: Prepare insightful memos on important contacts, meetings, and initiatives, keeping the CEO informed and prepared

What You'll Bring

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with precision and urgency
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to manage nuanced situations with positivity and care and connect across all levels of staff and leadership
• Strategic foresight-anticipating needs and keeping several steps ahead w/preparation, organization, and communication
• Sound judgment, flexibility, problem-solving ability, curiosity, and resilience in an evolving, fast-paced environment
• A passion for Memphis' creative and cultural future

What We Offer

• A meaningful opportunity to be part of transformative work in the Memphis arts community
• Space to grow and develop new skills, including in technology and leadership
• A collaborative and innovative work environment, rooted in creativity, liberation, and community
• Competitive salary + 401(k) match up to 4% + generous PTO + comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• A hybrid work environment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of professional experience providing administrative and project management support to senior leadership
• Proficiency using productivity applications such as MS Office and Google Suites, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms such as Kindful, and project management platforms such as Monday
• Competence researching and compiling data with ability to develop reports, visual presentations, and templates; skilled in creating, editing, and proofreading, and maintaining hardcopy documents and electronic records

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of experience working in a nonprofit environment with a focus on youth development, social justice, advocacy or development of underserved Black and brown youth

Work Conditions: This position operates in an office setting with hybrid/remote options and may require occasional evenings or weekends. Some regional and/or domestic travel may be required from time to time.