Special Assistant

Special Assistant

KID Museum is the nation's leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and deep learning experiences, we empower youth with the creative problem-solving and STEM skills to invent the future. With a focus on engaging populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, our programs aim to build economic opportunity and diversify the future talent pipeline.

Our vision is to become the standard of excellence for inclusive, impactful maker learning nationally, and a model for how to expand access to maker learning at scale. Our headquarters in the Washington, DC region serves as our innovation hub. In partnership with local school systems, government and philanthropic leaders, we design and deliver K-12 programs that produce results at scale in a large and diverse metropolitan region. We leverage insights from this learning lab to create resources, training, and technical support to expand high-impact maker learning nationally.

KID is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Special Assistant to support the Executive Director and the Chief Strategy Officer. This role is ideal for someone who loves bringing order to complexity, anticipates needs before they arise, and takes pride in helping leaders and teams operate at their best.

The Special Assistant will serve as a trusted operational partner, managing calendars, coordinating meetings, preparing materials, tracking priorities, and ensuring seamless follow-through across a wide range of organizational initiatives. The role also provides exposure to fundraising, board relations, strategic partnerships, and executive leadership, making it an excellent opportunity for someone interested in nonprofit leadership and mission-driven work.

The ideal candidate is very proactive, resourceful, exceptionally organized, exercises excellent judgment and discretion, communicates professionally with internal and external stakeholders, and enjoys working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage complex calendars, scheduling, and logistics for the Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, materials, briefing documents, and follow-up actions.
• Proactively ensure executives are fully prepared for meetings with background information, talking points, and relevant documents.
• Anticipate scheduling conflicts and proactively manage shifting priorities.

Project & Administrative Coordination

• Track key priorities, deadlines, and action items across multiple projects and initiatives.
• Build and maintain systems that improve executive productivity and organizational efficiency.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams and ensure timely follow-up on commitments.
• Conduct research and compile information to support executive decision-making.

Board & External Relations Support

• Organize logistics and prepare materials for Board meetings, committee meetings, and other leadership events.
• Draft presentations, briefing memos, reports, and internal and external communications.
• Prepare polished presentations, one-pagers, proposals, and meeting materials tailored to a variety of audiences.
• Support communications with partners, funders, and other key stakeholders as directed.

Fundraising & Relationship Management Support

• Assist in managing logistics, materials support, and other efforts around the Executive Director's fundraising portfolio by tracking meetings, follow-up actions, and deadlines in collaboration with the development team.
• Maintain accurate records in the organization's CRM.
• Coordinate donor meeting logistics and prepare briefing materials.
• Help ensure timely stewardship and follow-up with donors and strategic partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 25 years of experience providing executive, administrative, project coordination, or operations support.
• Exceptional organizational skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and standard productivity tools.
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce) and Canva a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Self-starter with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and willingness to take initiative.
• Commitment to KID Museum's mission and expanding equitable access to innovative educational experiences.
• Flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work in support of Board meetings or special events.

Compensation and Location The salary range for this position is $58,000 to $64,000 (commensurate with experience) and it is offered along with a competitive benefits package. The position is based in Bethesda, MD.

Why This Role?

This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership at one of the nation's leading educational innovation organizations. You'll gain firsthand experience in executive leadership, nonprofit management, fundraising, strategy, and organizational operations while helping advance a mission that empowers young people to invent the future.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life at KID Museum and are critical to our pursuit of excellence. KID Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.