Executive Assistant

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath • Chicago, IL

34d • Hybrid

About The Position

Faegre Drinker has an opportunity for an Executive Assistant to provide executive-level administrative, organizational, and strategic support to the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), with the possibility of extending support to one additional senior executive as workload requires. Candidates can be based in our Chicago, downtown Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. office. This position will work with other talented individuals who share a passion for doing great work in the best interest of our clients.

Requirements

• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including professional writing and proofreading abilities.
• Demonstrated executive presence, professionalism, and accountability when interacting with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, take initiative, and determine when to seek guidance or elevate issues.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, ambiguity, and change.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative, client-service mindset.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Flexibility to support occasional evening or weekend business needs when required.
• Three or more years of administrative or executive support experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneNote, with willingness to use artificial intelligence and new technology effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, manage competing priorities, and recognize when urgency is required.
• Flexibility to support occasional evening or weekend business needs when required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
• Prior experience as an executive assistant for a high-level executive preferred.
• Experience in a professional services, legal, consulting, or corporate environment preferred.
• Experience using AI-enabled productivity tools or other emerging technologies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a professional ambassador for the COO, any additional supported executive, and the firm while building strong relationships with firm leadership, attorneys, business professionals, vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage and optimize executive schedules, priorities, and commitments to maximize effectiveness, productivity, and strategic focus.
• Coordinate and execute projects of varying complexity, including preparing materials, presentations, briefing documents, reports, and executive communications.
• Draft, edit, and proofread executive correspondence, presentations, and other communications with exceptional attention to detail.
• Anticipate needs, identify potential issues before they escalate, and proactively resolve matters using sound judgment and discretion.
• Track priorities, action items, and key deliverables, partnering with stakeholders across the firm to ensure timely follow-through and execution.
• Partner closely with the Operations Chief of Staff to support the COO, the Operations Leadership Team, and firm-wide initiatives.
• Leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to streamline workflows, improve processes, enhance executive effectiveness, and support business objectives while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and quality standards.
• Handle highly confidential and sensitive information with the highest level of professionalism and discretion.
• Support special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment for work-life success.
• Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events.
• Wellness programming with personalized content and activities.
• Professional environment and the opportunity to work with experts at the top of their fields.
• Variety of health plan options, as well as dental, vision and 401(k) plans.
• Generous paid time off.
• discretionary bonus
• life, health, accident, and disability insurance
• a 401(k) plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Associate degree