Special Assistant, Development

Job Description

Job Description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.   

The Development department is responsible for building and sustaining the philanthropic partnerships that enable the Brennan Center to operate effectively and nimbly. The Brennan Center entirely relies on private philanthropy; it receives no funding from NYU or the government.  

The Development team has raised an average of $60 million in operating revenues over the past five years. It is organized around three main portfolios: major individual donors and families; small and midlevel donors; and institutional foundations and corporations. The team also organizes an annual fundraising gala, the Brennan Legacy Awards Dinner.  

Position Overview:  
The Brennan Center seeks an energetic, motivated, and organized Special Assistant to join its high-performing Development department. This position’s primary role is to provide administrative support and project coordination that ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day functioning and help the team reach its ambitious fundraising goals. We seek a detail-oriented professional who is talented at overseeing administrative and operational tasks and systems while improving and scaling them to best meet the needs of a dynamic and growing team. 

Reporting to the Managing Director, Development, and regularly working with the Development team’s directors and staff, the Special Assistant will contribute to the success of the entire department, as well as its partnerships with the Center’s President and CEO and other organizational leaders and teams. This is a two-year term limited position.

Note: This position is in-office 4 days/week (Monday through Thursday) at our headquarters in New York City. This role may occasionally require in-person work on Fridays and support for early morning, evening, or weekend events. 

Responsibilities: 
Team-Wide Administrative Support: 

• Oversee the department’s calendar: schedule team meetings, organize agendas for recurring check-ins, and ensure prompt follow-up on action items 
• Manage the Vice President’s and Managing Director’s schedules and expense reports; provide similar support to other Development leaders and staff as needed 
• Maintain team-wide materials and resources, including up-to-date filing of documents and ongoing organization of information 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for inquiries and requests to and from other Brennan Center teams, including Programs, Finance, and Communications 
• Organize team-building events, social outings, and special celebrations, ensuring that expenditures are aligned with budget 
• Provide general administrative and program support, including but not limited to donor research, vendor management, mailings, office supply management, travel logistics, database updates, and responding to routine inquiries from donors 

Project and Event Coordination: 

• Manage twice-weekly working meetings with the Center’s President and CEO to facilitate donor outreach. This is a principal responsibility of the role, requiring extensive coordination with Development and Office of the President; building agendas and keeping meetings on track; editing and proofreading written material; and shepherding content through review by multiple stakeholders 
• Participate in the planning and production of donor events – ranging from intimate gatherings and mid-size “friendraisers” to a 500+ person annual gala – as well as several fundraising trips annually, with a focus on coordination and ensuring efficient flow of information across the Development teams 
• Partner with the Managing Director and other staff to advance team-wide projects and priorities, such as the annual report, system improvements, and new initiatives 

Experience and Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required 

• Minimum of 2-3 years of full-time, professional experience; applicants with more extensive administrative experience will be considered and are encouraged to apply 

• Impeccable organization and attention to detail; ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects and meet deadlines in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment 

• Strong sense of teamwork, including facility collaborating with staff and leadership at all levels and the ability to respond productively to direction and feedback 

• A high degree of professionalism, discretion, and judgment, especially when handling sensitive donor information 

• Excellent active listening, written, and verbal communication skills 

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of work and be proactive, anticipating needs and roadblocks 

• Proficiency with key business tools, including Microsoft Office suite, Salesforce, Asana, Zoom, and Concur 

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion 

• Alignment with the Brennan Center’s mission, work, and core values 

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.   

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.  

Application Instructions:   
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is found.  

To apply, visit >> LINK HERE << .  Please upload the following documents: (1) a formal cover letter, (2) resume, (3) contact information for three supervisor references. Please feel welcome to include on your resume any work experience you believe helps demonstrate your fit for the role, even if it does not seem directly relevant (e.g., cashier, restaurant host, etc.). If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.      

Please, no phone calls or faxes ; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website . If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: View email address on ziprecruiter.com with “Special Assistant, Development” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.  

Compensation and Benefits:
This is a scaled position. The salary range based on the minimum years of experience is $62,500 - $66,000 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after the selected candidate graduated from undergraduate school. Therefore, years of experience above the minimum will command a higher salary up to $77,000 . Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.    

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.

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