Executive Associate to the Executive Director

Chelsea Piers Connecticut • Stamford, CT

3h • Onsite

About The Position

Chelsea Piers Connecticut is seeking an Executive Associate to work directly with and support the Executive Director. The role combines executive assistance, project management, analysis, and operational coordination. The Executive Associate serves as a trusted extension of the Executive Director, helping manage priorities, representing the Executive Director in meetings when appropriate, driving cross-functional projects, synthesizing information, and ensuring decisions turn into action.

The role operates across a complex business spanning sports, fitness, membership, events, hospitality, and operations. The Executive Associate is expected to understand priorities quickly, exercise sound judgment, and move work forward proactively while bringing structure and clarity to a fast-moving environment.

This is a full-time, on-site position at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford, Connecticut. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with flexibility required based on business needs. Compensation starts at $80,000 annually, and the position is exempt from overtime.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of professional experience.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Self-directed and resourceful, with the ability to operate with limited instruction.
• Able to work quickly, manage changing priorities, and create structure in an evolving environment.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to drive work through completion.
• Confident, concise communication skills and ability to interact effectively with senior leaders and represent an executive professionally.
• Comfortable asking questions, challenging assumptions, and offering recommendations.
• Technology-forward, comfortable with AI tools, and quick to learn new systems.
• Discreet, highly accountable, comfortable with direct feedback, and motivated by getting things done.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting senior executives, or experience in consulting, project management, or business operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted extension of the Executive Director and develop a strong understanding of priorities, expectations, and decision-making approach.
• Anticipate needs, manage competing demands, distinguish urgent issues from strategic priorities, and determine what can be handled independently or requires the Executive Director’s involvement.
• Respectfully challenge assumptions, recommend priority changes, and protect the Executive Director’s time and attention.
• Attend meetings on behalf of the Executive Director when appropriate, participate actively, represent priorities, ask questions, make decisions within established parameters, and escalate when needed.
• Provide concise meeting readouts, track commitments, maintain visibility into outstanding questions, and ensure decisions have clear ownership and follow-through.
• Own and drive key initiatives from concept through execution; translate strategic priorities into plans with owners, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Manage cross-functional projects, remove roadblocks, drive decisions, hold project owners accountable, and maintain the Executive Director’s master project tracker.
• Research opportunities, develop initial recommendations, execute work as needed, and establish project management processes that improve accountability and execution.
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize business information; prepare briefings, business summaries, presentations, feasibility analyses, and executive materials.
• Develop understanding of business metrics and performance drivers, identify trends, gaps, and opportunities, and translate complex issues into decision-ready information with recommended next steps.
• Improve information flow and reporting across the organization.
• Help manage the CPCT Leadership Team’s operating rhythm, including agendas, materials, decisions, and follow-up.
• Maintain visibility into department priorities and initiatives, support coordination, build relationships with senior leaders, and drive alignment and follow-through without taking ownership of their departments.
• Communicate, assign, and support execution of Executive Director priorities; contribute to cross-functional initiatives and special projects.
• Manage the Executive Director’s calendar, meeting priorities, and scheduling; coordinate meetings and prepare agendas, materials, and the Executive Director for important discussions and decisions.
• Draft and manage executive correspondence, presentations, talking points, and other communications.
• Coordinate business and personal travel, expense reporting, corporate credit card reconciliation, and other executive administrative responsibilities.
• Maintain confidential information and records with discretion and professionalism.
• Support external relationships, community commitments, and strategic partnerships through preparation, coordination, and timely follow-up.
• Build and maintain systems for organizing projects, documents, priorities, and commitments.
• Identify and implement project management tools, dashboards, reporting processes, and technology—including AI tools—to improve workflow, visibility, accountability, and efficiency.
• Identify efficiency opportunities and establish repeatable processes across the Executive Office.

Benefits

• Complimentary Chelsea Piers membership.
• Discounts on Chelsea Piers programs for the employee and family.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Life insurance, long- and short-term disability, and other voluntary benefits.
• 401(k) investment plan with matching up to $1,000 per year after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed