Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO

Job Description

Job Description

Steele Recruiting, LLC is an executive Administrative Assistant Retained Search firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in Executive Administrative Assistant, Chiefs of Staff, and Personal Assistant placements for C-Suite and Senior Leadership Executives across the United States. With over 20 years in recruitment, we have a solid reputation for quality placements, professionalism, and maintaining confidentiality for every client and candidate.

We are currently partnering with our trusted nonprofit client, A merican Public Media Group (MPR), located in St Paul, Minnesota, for a Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO, Jean Taylor.

Minnesota Public Radio-American Public Media(MPR) produces and distributes award-winning public radio programming and podcasts. APM programming can be heard on nearly 1,000 public radio stations and reaches 17 million listeners each week, and their suite of podcasts delivers over 18 million downloads every month.

American Public Media is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national content creation, and distribution in one organization. Its multi-regional station operations include 49 public radio stations and 42 translators in the Upper Midwest and California.

The Role

The Senior Executive Assistant will provide comprehensive executive support, serving as the trusted right-hand administrative partner to the CEO. You will serve as the CEO’s administrative backbone and strategic time manager, providing seamless executive support to maximize efficiency for a highly visible and active leader. This is a mission-critical, high-profile role that engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, major donors, the executive team, senior leadership, and internal and external consultants.

The ideal candidate is a proactive take take-charge, self-starter with exceptional communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, with proven experience working with a CEO, President, and C-Suite executive teams in a fast-paced environment. As a true relationship guru, you understand the power of connection and serve as a key liaison between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders.

This role requires a highly resourceful team player who seeks continuous improvement and is comfortable working independently, sometimes under pressure, while remaining professional, flexible, proactive, aligned, and efficient. Critical decision-making skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information with excellent judgment, diplomacy, and discretion, are necessary for success.

This role combines exceptional administrative excellence, requiring someone who can manage relationships, complex meetings, project management, and contribute valuable insights into best administrative practices and systems for the organization and overall administrative team.

What makes this position unique?

You will serve as the right hand to Jean Taylor, an exceptional CEO who has led American Public Media Group (APMG) for over five years and is widely respected as a civic and business leader, serving on multiple boards. This role offers the rare opportunity to support a purpose-driven executive at the helm of one of the nation’s most trusted media organizations.

You will work closely with a team of talented, mission-driven Executive Assistants, collaborating on projects and supporting one another to ensure organizational success.

APMG remains deeply committed to high-impact journalism, earning and maintaining audience trust, driving innovation across content and platforms, and advancing diversity and inclusion in both storytelling and hiring. Like many mission-driven media organizations, APMG has a healthy endowment and is adapting to secure a sustainable future. This is a pivotal moment of reinvention, one where your voice, ideas, and execution will help shape the next chapter.

If you are energized by meaningful work, strategic thinking, and supporting leadership at the highest level, this is a unique opportunity to be part of a bold, values-led transformation in public media.

Primary Responsibilities

Executive Administrative Support

Manage the CEO’s complex calendar with strategic prioritization and stakeholder coordination

Plan comprehensive travel arrangements, including itineraries, agendas, and meeting documentation

Manage email, screen, prioritize, and manage all incoming communications, calls, and meeting requests

Prepare CEO meeting materials, agendas, and briefing documents for executive and board meetings

Handle expense management, invoicing, and financial administrative tasks

Maintain organized digital and physical filing systems for confidential executive materials, providing insight on upleveling and enhancing system efficiency for document retrieval

Anticipate and proactively suggest ways to enhance the quality and efficiency of work and implement them when appropriate.

Communication and Relationship Management

Screen, prioritize, and manage all incoming communications, calls, and meeting requests using independent judgment.

Maintain external contact relationships, tracking periodic communication needs and follow-up requirements.

Represent the CEO professionally with visitors, company functions, and stakeholder interactions.

Coordinate with internal teams and development staff to ensure consistent CEO engagement with major donors and donor prospects.

Partner closely with the Major Giving department to schedule regular donor meetings for the CEO and accurately track all related activity and follow-up in the CRM system (Salesforce).

Assist with very light support of occasional updates to the CEO’s LinkedIn profile, for a consistent and professional online image

Meeting and Event Coordination

Plan and execute office events and large-scale company functions, in partnership with the administrative team, leveraging both internal and external resources

Schedule meetings and coordinate logistics, including technology setup, room reservations, catering, and presentation materials

Develop meeting agendas and coordinate with internal and external presenters to ensure full preparation and alignment

Board of Directors

Manage master scheduling for Board activities and coordinate Trustee events and meetings with organizational staff

Serve as the primary liaison for all Board-related activities, maintaining a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality in all communications

Prepare detailed meeting materials, agendas, and briefing documents for Board and executive meetings

Draft reports, memos, and presentations for Trustees; compile and edit executive team updates for Board review

Record and transcribe meeting minutes, providing accurate and timely documentation as needed

Administrative Leadership

Assist with leading administrative cohesiveness and special projects with a team of 6 talented and mission-driven professionals, sharing best practices and cross-departmental support, and initiatives

Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience

7–10+ years of progressive administrative experience supporting a CEO, Executive Director, President, or senior leader

High emotional intelligence (EQ) with the ability to “read the room,” understand nuance, and respond with empathy and discretion

Expertise in managing complex calendars, coordinating travel, and supporting leader across multiple priorities

Experience initiating, managing, and tracking complex projects aligned with strategic goals

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other administrative and collaboration tools

Knowledge of CRM, such as Salesforce, and Board support technology, such as Board Effect helpful, with the ability to learn new technologies

Proficient in video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams) and coordinating virtual meetings across diverse stakeholders

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to draft professional correspondence, memos, and board materials

Strong research and analytical skills to support informed leadership decision-making

Experience in preparing for and supporting the Board of Directors, including agenda preparation, materials coordination, and meeting logistics

Outstanding organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and follow-through

Skilled in managing competing demands with grace, prioritizing effectively, and maintaining composure under pressure

Deep respect for confidentiality, professionalism, and trust in handling sensitive matters

Proactive, mission-aligned problem-solver who anticipates needs and removes roadblocks for the leaders they support

Nonprofit experience is highly desirable but not required, with a demonstrated track record of supporting executive leadership in complex, mission-driven, or fast-paced environments

Compensation Benefits

Highly competitive Sr Executive Assistant to CEO salary $120,000 to $150,000

Hybrid / Flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the position and organization

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid volunteer time off

Vacation : 12 annual sick days,10 paid holidays, and a personal day

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

403(B) Retirement Savings Plan with 6.5% match

Basic Life Insurance

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Voluntary Life Insurance

Short-term Disability, Long-Term Disability

Long-Term Care Insurance

APMG covers 100% of the monthly parking pass cost

Critical Illness Insurance

Business Travel Accident Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

American Public Media Group is committed to complying with all laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by local, state, and federal law.