Special Assistant to the Executive Director

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

ABOUT

Black & Brown Collective for Community Solutions to Gun Violence (“the Collective”), a fiscally

sponsored project of Community Initiatives, is a nonprofit organization of approximately three

dozen professional staff and multidisciplinary scholars who are driven by a desire to improve the

efficacy of research, policy, and practice that addresses safety and well-being in communities

most directly affected by violence. The Collective’s mission is to enhance safety and wellness in

communities throughout the United States, particularly in the Black and Brown communities that

have been disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Our core strategies are: conducting

collaborative research; engaging communities; mentoring emerging scholars; shaping policy and

practice; and shifting narratives.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Assistant will support the Collective’s mission by coordinating activities across all core

Collective strategies: collaborative research and evaluation, community engagement, mentoring

emerging scholars, informing policy and practice, and shifting narratives. This position requires a

blend of knowledge in community violence prevention and intervention, strong organizational

skills, and a collaborative mindset. The Special Assistant will provide administrative, operational,

and logistical support to the team; assist with the development and execution of strategic

organizational initiatives; and provide administrative and operational support to the Executive

Director.

The Special Assistant will work under the general direction and guidance of the Executive Director

and work across the team. This role requires someone who can effectively balance multiple

projects, timelines, and collaborators. The Assistant will support different teams and initiatives,

often managing overlapping priorities. Strong attention to detail, the ability to track and coordinate

tasks across various timelines, and excellent organizational skills will be key to success in this

position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Support

• Support project planning and execution for work across the Collective’s strategies by coordinating tasks and managing logistics aligned with the timeline and scope of projects.
• Track cross-team project milestones and deliverables.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the Executive Director for external events (e.g., convenings, trainings, and workshops) and internal meetings, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and capturing meeting notes and outcomes.
• Provide administrative and strategic support to the Executive Director (e.g., manage schedule, maintain prioritized contacts and follow-up, draft presentations and remarks for external events)
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Collective Advisory Committee and support Advisory
• Committee meetings through written reports, draft work plans, and keeping up to date records of decisions and action items.

Desk Research and Writing Support

• Conduct desk research on issues, initiatives, and partners related to the Collective’s strategies, summarizing key findings and emerging trends.
• Assist with drafting proposals, funder reports, and other materials that communicate the Collective’s work and its impact.

Internal Communications and Collaboration

• Collaborate on internal communications within Collective staff, scholar members, and fellows
• Assist in drafting compelling communications materials, including blog posts, press releases, and event recaps, aligned with the Collective’s messaging and values.
• Manage staff calendar and team meetings

CANDIDATE PROFILE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5 years of experience in project coordination, project management, administrative support
• Excellent writing skills, with experience drafting reports, newsletters, and other internal and external communications.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality.
• Self-starter and entrepreneurial, ability to work well with others, awareness of when to engage colleagues, and ability to prioritize and follow-through on work assignments independently
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic start-up environment, ability to shift gears according to changing priorities
• Commitment to Collective core values, gun violence prevention, and community-engaged research.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this full-time role is $70,000-$90,000.

Comprehensive benefits package including:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision
• 401k and 5% employer match
• Basic life insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 12 days of paid sick leave
• 14 paid holidays
• 4 floating holidays

CORE VALUES

The Collective is deeply committed to a set of core values that guide our collaborative efforts.

These values not only underpin our mission but also shape the way we work together, engage with

communities and partners, and pursue our goals. The following values inform our collective action

and work culture:

Accountability and Trust: We prioritize maintaining a high level of accountability for our actions and decisions, both within our organization and in our interactions with the communities we serve. Trust is the foundation of our relationships, built on integrity, honesty, and transparency.

Equity and Cultural Humility: Equity is central to our work, guiding our approach to resource distribution, recognition of contributions, and power dynamics in decision-making. Cultural humility compels us to approach our work with a learning mindset, respecting and valuing the diverse experiences and knowledge of the communities we serve.

Inclusivity and Community-Centered Creativity: Inclusivity is critical in representing diverse

voices and perspectives, ensuring that all aspects of our collaboration are open to everyone

affected by our work. We believe in harnessing creativity from within the community,

embracing innovative ideas and unconventional thinking.

Shared Vision and Community Empowerment: Our shared vision for a future free from gun

violence guides our collective efforts. We emphasize empowering communities by actively

involving them in decision-making processes and ensuring they benefit from the outcomes of

our work.

Flexible Commitment and Community-Centric Communication: Flexibility allows us to

adapt to the evolving needs of the communities we work with, recognizing that effective

collaboration requires a willingness to adjust plans and goals as necessary.

Application review will begin on June 15, 2026, and continue on a rolling basis until the position is

filled.

For more information about the Collective, visit our website

Community Initiatives is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to

qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, disability or protected veteran status,

or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.