Senior Executive Assistant to the President

IHA•Naperville, IL

About The Position

The Senior Executive Assistant serves as a trusted strategic advisor and partner to the President & CEO, providing leadership, coordination, and oversight of executive priorities. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this position is responsible for advancing strategic objectives, facilitating executive decision-making, strengthening Board governance, and ensuring effective coordination across the Senior Leadership Team. The Senior Executive Assistant serves as a key liaison among the President & CEO, Board of Trustees, Senior Leadership Team, and internal and external stakeholders. Ensures work is executed efficiently and effectively. This role requires exceptional judgment, political acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to anticipate organizational needs while managing highly confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience is required.
An additional four (4) years of experience may be considered in lieu of education.
A minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience supporting senior leaders is required, seven (7) years strongly preferred.
Exceptional strategic thinking and organizational leadership skills.
Strong project management and organizational planning capabilities.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage highly sensitive information.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-support skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence across all levels of the organization without direct authority.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and board governance technology platforms.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree is preferred.
Experience working directly with governing boards is strongly preferred.
Experience in association management, healthcare, or other member-based organizations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to the President & CEO by providing strategic counsel, analysis, and recommendations on executive priorities.
Support the President & CEO in advancing strategic initiatives by monitoring progress, identifying barriers, and facilitating timely execution.
Coordinate follow-up on executive decisions and ensure accountability for assigned actions.
Prepare executive briefing materials, presentations, reports, and decision-support documents for meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
Prepare executive-level documents that require the exercise of sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail, ensuring information is accurate, appropriately framed for the intended audience, and presented in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Responsible for calendar management, travel arrangements, expense reports, correspondence, and contact list management.
Coordinate the activities of the Senior Leadership Team to promote collaboration, alignment, and execution of organizational priorities.
Plan and facilitate Senior Leadership Team and Leadership Team meetings, including agenda development, preparation of materials, documentation of decisions, and tracking of action items.
Lead or coordinate special projects as assigned by the President & CEO.
Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Trustees, supporting effective governance and communication between the Board and senior leadership.
Coordinate all Board meetings, retreats, and governance activities, including scheduling, agenda development, preparation and distribution of Board materials, and documentation of meeting outcomes.
Maintain Board governance records, including trustee terms, committee assignments, vacancies, historical meeting archives, orientation materials, trustee term information, and governance documentation.
Coordinate Executive and Nominating and Governance Committee meetings, including meeting logistics, agenda preparation, materials, minutes, and follow-up.
Coordinate annual Board election activities, including preparation and distribution of election materials and validation of voting results.
Serve as the organizational administrator for the electronic Board governance portal, ensuring the accuracy, organization, and accessibility of Board information and meeting materials.
Coordinate with the governance portal vendor regarding platform updates and enhancements.
Provide support to Board members regarding governance portal access and utilization.
Other duties as defined.