Reception and Operations Administrative Assistant

Position Summary

The Reception and Operations Administrative Assistant is a cross-functional support role, working as a key communication link with CFR staff, members, speakers, applicants, event managers, and visitors, and provides administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer and Finance team. In addition to traditional reception tasks, the Reception and Operations Administrative Assistant works under the direction of the Deputy Director, Operations on administrative assistance for the Finance team as well as supporting administrative work for other teams as needed.

This is an on-site role in the Washington, DC office five days per week.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Serve as one of the principal first contact points at CFR’s DC office for all visitors and incoming phone calls, using discretion to screen incoming phone calls and requests from callers, including the media,
• Greet visitors, staff, members, and guests to CFR DC, supporting a welcoming yet highly professional atmosphere and providing excellent customer service to internal and external constituents,
• Assist the Senior Reception Services and Security Operations Manager with ongoing tasks such as scheduling staff headshots; distributing ID badges; maintaining a working knowledge of building occupancy levels; coordinating access for visiting staff(including booking workspace and ensuring badge information is current within the building access system), operating the visitor management system (Envoy) and familiarity with procedures and technology; and assisting with scheduling and tracking of various staff trainings or mandatory certification programs,
• Assisting as needed with day-of coordination of Council meetings, including checking in and handling special requests from meeting attendees, creating and posting the daily agenda, and working with facilities and events staff during the function,
• Provide scheduling and administrative task support to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer as well as other senior Finance Team members, including expense report submissions, document preparation, tracking tasks and deadlines, meeting coordination, and some travel booking,
• Provide administrative task support to the Chief Legal Officer, including invoice processing and expense reports,
• Provide general administrative assistance as assigned by the Deputy Director, Operations to teams across CFR,
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma required, Bachelor’s degree preferred
• A minimum of 2 years' related administrative experience in a high profile and fast-paced organization; reception experience strongly preferred

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Demonstrable success in customer facing roles, with a keen focus on providing a welcoming and customer-friendly environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills
• Effective problem-solving capabilities; ability to anticipate patterns and links and to look beyond the immediate problem to the wider implications.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Flexibility and positive, team-player attitude
• Strong business writing and proofreading skills
• Outstanding punctuality and attendance
• Availability to work flexible hours, including some early mornings, evenings, and an occasional weekend.

Required Application Materials

Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $55,000 – $60,000, depending on experience.
• In addition to competitive salaries, the Council on Foreign Relations offers a benefits package that is among the best offered by nonprofit institutions today, including an award-winning health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, and generous leave policies and health insurance programs.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.