Senior Executive Assistant

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

Position Summary:

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Global Head of Events and the Events Department , ensuring seamless day-to-day execution and alignment with business priorities. This role requires strong independent judgment, discretion, and proactive problem-solving to manage complex calendars, prioritize competing demands, and anticipate executive needs.

Serving as a trusted partner and primary point of contact, the Executive Assistant manages sensitive communications, triages stakeholder inquiries, and handles confidential information with professionalism and care. The role is responsible for coordinating travel, meetings, and events, preparing materials and correspondence, and tracking deliverables to support effective decision-making and follow-through.

In addition to executive support, this role contributes to broader departmental initiatives by coordinating logistics for events, offsites, and programs, and providing project and operational support as needed. The Executive Assistant leverages technology, including AI and automation tools, to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and drive productivity across administrative functions.

This role travels between 25-50% of the year, depending upon priorities.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support to the Global Head of Events, Head of Event Management, Head of Event Strategy and Business Affairs, and Head of Event Operations, including, but not limited to:
  • Exercise independent judgment to determine meeting priorities, decline requests, and resolve scheduling conflicts based on strategic importance to business objectives
  • Proactively prioritize the executives' daily schedule with to ensure efficiency.
  • Make recommendations regarding travel arrangements, including booking flights, accommodations, and transportation for the executives as needed
  • Lead hospitality and event planning for key stakeholders including but not limited to teams, associations, partners and vendors
  • Anticipate executive needs and proactively develop solutions before issues arise
  • Independently triage and respond to stakeholder inquiries, determining which matters require executive attention
  • Exercise judgment in handling confidential business information, determining appropriate distribution, escalation, and timing on behalf of the executive
  • Prepare travel and expense reports and ensure information is complete and accurate
  • Create and prep correspondence including but not limited to itineraries, agendas, team-wide communications, managing distribution lists and communication channels (e.g., email and slack), and surveys
  • Assist with the planning and execution of Event group meetings, including agenda development, project and event management, development of materials, and day-of execution
  • Serve as an active ambassador for the Events team inside and outside of the League, contributing to creating a positive values-driven culture
  • Interface with internal and external clients; Prepare internal and external documents for team members and industry partners
  • Draft, proofread, and edit documents, reports, and presentations for the Global Head of Events
  • Schedule, prepare materials for, and attend meetings as requested by the Event executives
  • Take meeting minutes, track action items, and follow up on action plan deadlines.
  • Secure conference rooms for meetings and ensure that Audio Visual needs are addressed and prepared prior to meetings and handle catering and hospitality requests for meetings with external guests.
  • Submit guest registration requests, greet, and announce all external meeting attendees and incoming visitors.
  • Manage the guest invitation process for large-scale NBA events and act as the contact for registering Events Department staff for events.
  • Provide project support for Events Department initiatives and programs as directed by the Global Head of Events.
  • Handle special requests as directed by the Global Head of Events.
  • Leverage available AI and automation tools to streamline administrative tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance overall productivity.

• Provide general support to the Events department including, but not limited to:
  • Coordinate and manage planned activities and events by ensuring all logistical components are secured such as agenda development, registrations, reservations, securing equipment/products/event space, travel arrangements, partnerships with other internal and external stakeholders such as the conference and events team, information technology, security, volunteers, etc.
  • Coordinate large department orders for special events and off-sites (supplies, merchandise, catering, etc.)

Required Education/Professional Experience:

• College degree with foundation in Media, Business or Communications preferred.
• 7+ years previous experience supporting Executive(s) in a fast-paced, corporate setting.
• Experience working in media, sports, or entertainment preferred

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of discretion and integrity.
• Proven experience as an executive assistant in a similar administrative role.
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment on matters of significance with minimal supervision
• Strategic thinking skills with ability to anticipate needs and proactively recommend solutions
• Expert-level judgment in handling sensitive and confidential business information
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate across all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional organization and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Discretion and a high level of confidentiality.
• Advanced aptitude with all Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with calendar management tools.
• Creative problem-solving skills and is proactive in identifying ways to improve outcomes.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Operates with the highest level of personal integrity and ethics.
• Performs independent project-based work with little supervision.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time with varying deadlines.

Salary Range:

$125,000 - $140,000

Job Posting Title:
Manager

Employees currently are eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Company and subject to any terms and conditions set by the Company. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company-sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; dental; vision; life/AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; fertility and family-forming assistance; wellbeing allowance; educational assistance; mental health coaching/therapy; tax advantaged accounts such as HSA and healthcare/dependent care FSAs; a 401(k) retirement plan; and time off benefits that include vacation, sick time, and personal days.

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA's own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital's assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.