Executive Operations Assistant

Executive Operations Assistant

We are seeking a highly proactive and detail-oriented Executive Operations Assistant to support Crain Communications' Senior Leadership Team (SLT), including the COO and other senior executives. This role requires strong ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment. This is not a task-based administrative role it requires real-time decision making, strong executive presence, and the ability to operate as a trusted extension of leadership. The ideal candidate is highly self-directed, calm under pressure, and comfortable navigating evolving priorities and executive dynamics in real time.

Executive & SLT Support

• Manage complex calendars across multiple SLT members, anticipating conflicts and proactively resolving scheduling challenges
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, ensuring all logistics are handled in advance
• Maintain awareness of leadership priorities and adjust schedules in real time
• Support cross-functional coordination across editorial, commercial, and corporate teams

Meeting & Guest Experience Ownership

• Own end-to-end execution of executive and SLT meetings, including room setup, materials, and logistics
• Proactively manage guest experience from arrival through departure
• Track guest arrivals, greet and escort guests, and ensure a seamless, professional experience
• Develop a strong understanding of executive preferences and proactively anticipate meeting and guest needs

Operational Problem Solving

• Serve as first line of support for in-office needs, troubleshooting issues independently before escalating
• Quickly assess situations, gather relevant information, and take action in real time
• Exercise sound judgment in fast-paced or ambiguous situations impacting executives
• Make decisions and solve problems effectively in situations where direction may be limited or priorities shift quickly

Office Presence & Executive Support

• Act as a confident, highly professional in-office presence supporting SLT members and office operations
• Maintain strong awareness of executive and office activity and proactively step in to support high-priority needs
• Build strong working relationships with executives and key stakeholders

Administrative & Financial Coordination

• Support purchase orders, invoice processing, and vendor coordination across teams
• Assist with travel logistics and expense reporting for executives
• Coordinate logistics for internal events and leadership meetings as needed

Qualifications

• 5+ years supporting senior executives and/or C-suite leaders in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities

How You'll Succeed in This Role

• Take initiative, exercise judgment independently, and step in proactively when support is needed
• Anticipate needs and think ahead
• Exercise strong judgment and act independently
• Remain adaptable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Be visible, engaged, and responsive in an in-office setting

What Success Looks Like

• SLT members feel fully supported without needing to direct day-to-day activities
• Meetings and guest interactions run seamlessly without gaps
• Issues are identified and resolved proactively before escalating
• You operate as a trusted extension of the leadership team

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The estimated salary range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000.

The final salary offering will take into account a wide range of factors, including experience, accomplishments and location. The salary range provided should not be considered as a salary limit or cap. In addition to base salary, Crain also offers competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

About Crain Communications:

Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide indispensable coverage and data for professionals globally and across sectors, including advertising, automotive, finance, healthcare, staffing, and workforce solutions. Many of Crain's brands are the most influential media properties in the industries and communities they serve, including Ad Age, Automotive News, Pensions & Investments, Modern Healthcare, Staffing Industry Analysts, as well as Crain's regional business brands. For more than a century, our dedication to deep sector expertise and journalistic integrity has enabled us to provide trusted insights across all our platforms, empowering today's business leaders to make industry-shaping decisions. To learn more about Crain Communications, visit crain.com.

Environmental Demands

Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change.

• An "in-office" role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.
• A "remote" role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
• A "hybrid" role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the manager's approval, subject to change.
• Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.

Many positions will also include work done in "the field." Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves. Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work.

Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required. Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of many Crain job s and are subject to change.

Physical activities will include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. For most positions, it is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods, perform computer-related tasks, and create/ maintain documents within filing systems. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing reports and information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, or extensive reading. The typical physical requirements are light workexerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Some positions will have additional physical requirements, including exerting up to 50lbs of force to move and/or carry equipment, supplies, files, or other materials as the role requires.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions and meet the environmental and physical demands of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of