Executive Assistant & Special Projects Manager

Overview

Executive Assistant & Special Projects Manager Jobs in St Paul, MN at Black Men Teach

Title: Executive Assistant & Special Projects Manager

Company: Black Men Teach

Location: St Paul, MN

About Black Men Teach (BMT)

Black Men Teach is a movement and a mission — building a future where every child has the opportunity to learn from, be led by, and be inspired by a Black male educator. We recruit, prepare, and support Black men to enter and thrive in the classroom, strengthening schools and transforming communities in the process. At BMT, we’re reimagining what it means to teach, lead, and belong. Our team is bold, innovative, and deeply rooted in purpose. We don’t just talk about change — we design it, build it, and live it every day. Our work is rooted in the belief that representation matters—and that our children’s schooling experience will never be complete without Black male teachers in the classroom.

Position Overview

The Executive Assistant & Special Projects Manager is one of the most important trust-based hires Black Men Teach will make. As BMT grows — more classrooms, more partner schools, a larger board, a wider coalition of funders and universities — the capacity that protects and extends the CEO’s time must grow with it. This role is the engine behind that capacity.

This person sits at the intersection of strategy, partnership, and organizational operations — partnering directly with the CEO on high-priority initiatives that don’t yet have a clear owner or process, coordinating the relationships and moments that carry BMT’s mission forward, and building the administrative infrastructure that lets the CEO stay focused on their highest-leverage work.

This is a role for someone who is highly organized, discreet, and energized by creating order from complexity. You thrive in environments where no two days look exactly the same, you don’t wait for a playbook when one doesn’t exist, and you understand that sound judgment is not a soft skill. It is the foundation everything else stands on.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Projects & Special Initiatives — (30%)
• Partner directly with the CEO on high-priority strategic challenges — the kind that don’t yet have an owner, a process, or a clear answer.
• Support ambiguous, cross-functional projects from framing through execution: work closely with the CEO to define the problem, identify the right stakeholders across programs, development, and operations, and keep the work moving forward.
• Systematically create structure by building processes, trackers, and decision frameworks to enhance productivity and output
• Exercise sound, independent judgment regarding projects that require the CEO’s direct attention versus delegation and resolution, and communicate proactively about tradeoffs and risk.
• Research, synthesize, and prepare recommendations on organizational questions as directed by the CEO — from operational bottlenecks to partnership or growth decisions.
• Executive & Board Support – (25%)
• Manage the CEO’s calendar as a strategic asset — protecting time for high-priority work, exercising judgment about tradeoffs, and adapting standing structures as priorities shift.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination for the CEO’s meetings, communications, and travel, ensuring he arrives prepared and priorities stay ahead of the schedule rather than reacting to it.
• Serve as a key point of support for the CEO on board and committee engagement, ensuring meetings are well-prepared, materials tell a clear story, and follow-through is consistent.
• Support a strong board member experience, from onboarding through ongoing engagement, so board relationships strengthen over time.
• Project & Partner Coordination – (25%)
• Work in collaboration with the BMT Events Team to convenings as they pertain to the CEO and internal team.
• Drive cross-functional projects with real deadlines and real stakes, such as annual reporting and grant or state reporting cycles, keeping ownership even when the work touches multiple teams..
• Serve as a trusted point of connection between the Executive Office and BMT’s external partners — school principals, university partners, and coalition members.
• Represent the Executive Office in partner and stakeholder conversations where the CEO’s direct involvement isn’t required, building relationships that can carry work forward independently.
• Office & Team Leadership – (20%)
• Support the infrastructure behind a functional office — space, technology support, purchasing, and access — coordinating with vendors and internal partners as needed.
• Design and improve the administrative systems and policies that keep a growing, partnership-heavy organization running smoothly.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field, or demonstrated experience that reflects equivalent knowledge and capability.
• 4+ years in a role requiring both operational execution and independent project ownership — executive support, program or operations management, chief-of-staff-adjacent, or consulting backgrounds all fit.
• Demonstrated experience leading a project from an ambiguous starting point to completion.
• 2+ years of experience managing administrative operations or complex logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• High proficiency in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office Suite.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting a CEO, Executive Director, or senior nonprofit leader.
• Background in consulting, strategy, or program management.
• Experience with nonprofit board operations and governance support.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com) and CRM management systems.
• Experience in a nonprofit or education-focused environment.

Skills And Competencies

• Mission Alignment: Models BMT’s values and connects work to impact.
• Collaboration & Communication: Builds trust and fosters clarity.
• Equity & Inclusion: Centers belonging and removes barriers.
• Execution & Ownership: Drives quality outcomes with accountability.
• Innovation & Growth: Learns, adapts, and leads improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment
• Works effectively with colleagues and stakeholders

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside different facilities (e.g., schools) or offices throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in-person.

Work Environment

• The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday. To support collaboration, community building, and teamwork, Black Men Teach requires staff to work on-site three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays and Fridays are designated as remote workdays.
• This position operates in a collaborative, fast-paced hybrid work environment requiring frequent interaction with colleagues, partners, schools, and community stakeholders. The role requires flexibility, effective prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary range: $62,000 – $75,000. Final salary is determined by BMT based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. BMT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the whole person — your health, your future, and your life outside of work:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance — BMT covers 75% of the employee premium and 65% of dependent premiums
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO), paid sick leave, and company-observed holidays in accordance with Black Men Teach’s leave policies
• Professional development opportunities aligned with your growth
• We offer a hybrid work environment that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and community connection.

EEO Statement

Black Men Teach (BMT) is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all team members feel valued and supported. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Join Us!

If you’re passionate about reimagining systems and creating lasting impact, we invite you to bring your ideas and energy to BMT. Together, we’re not just transforming education — we’re transforming possibility.