Executive Assistant

The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) seeks a confidential Executive Assistant to provide administrative support to the CRL President and leadership team. Reporting to the CRL President, the Executive Assistant is a key member of the CRL team, often acting as the first point of contact between the CRL President and key external and internal stakeholders including the board of directors and committees, members, staff and CRL partners. The Executive Assistant will manage the President’s schedule, travel, and communications plan, evaluate and prioritize requests for the President and leadership, manage scheduling and calendars, and support CRL meetings and business activities by taking notes and minutes, and working with staff and CRL members to prepare materials. 

Based in Chicago, IL, the Center for Research Libraries is a consortium of over 200 university, college, and independent research libraries whose mission is to preserve and share knowledge by collecting and stewarding the record of human expression in partnership with its members. We envision a world in which the research library community harnesses collective action and the power of the CRL network to cooperatively build, steward, and share an equitable, accessible, and sustainable scholarly record to advance the creation of knowledge.  

As a place of work, CRL places a high value on excellence, accountability, innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork. Learn more about CRL, our work, and our mission, vision, and values here.

**Responsibilities **

• Complete a broad variety of administrative tasks to support the CRL President’s effective leadership of the organization, including calendar management and scheduling; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and outside parties; maintaining contact lists; making travel arrangements; and completing expense reports 

• Provide administrative support for CRL leadership, including scheduling, meeting material and dossier preparation, and recording meeting minutes and tracking action items. 

• Maintain confidentiality and show discretion in handling information about CRL’s activities and uphold CRL’s values. 

• Provide general office support, including replenishing office materials and supplies, and serving as an initial point of contact for the Center. 

• Other administrative projects/duties for the overall benefit of the organization 

**Qualifications, Education, & Experience **

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a minimum of two years of experience, or the equivalent combination of training, education, and experience are required. Strong candidates will also possess: 

• High degree of professionalism in working with diverse groups of stakeholders, including senior leadership, Board and committee members, staff, and key partners. 

• Expert organizational skills and strong attention to detail. 

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to draft polished correspondence and reports. 

• Excellent customer service skills and ability to maintain a professional and personable demeanor. 

• Exceptional time management and the ability to prioritize/react with appropriate urgency to events requiring a quick response/turnaround. 

• Proven experience in project and event coordination, including planning and managing meetings, conferences, and retreats with multiple stakeholders. 

• Appreciation for collaboration, continuous process improvement, and new ideas. 

• Commitment to professional ethics and the ability to appropriately handle information of a confidential or sensitive nature. 

• Experience with office software such as Microsoft Office and collaboration systems, scheduling and virtual meeting tools such as MS Teams and Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, and document e-signature tools. 

• Experience working in academia and/or with nonprofit Boards is a plus 

**Compensation & Benefits **

This is a full-time, permanent position with an expected starting salary range between $55,000-$65,000 per year. CRL offers competitive benefits including health, dental, life and disability insurance, and flexible PTO including vacation, sick, personal time, 2 floating and 12 paid holidays per year.  

In addition, CRL offers generous retirement benefits with a monthly 10% contribution after a year of employment (immediately vested). Employees can receive funding for professional development activities.  

The successful candidate is expected to work on-site at CRL’s headquarters. 

**Application Process **

Expertise in each requirement listed above is not expected — instead, we encourage applications from those who demonstrate a mix of expertise in some areas and commitment to learning and experimentation in others. Skills and relevant experience outlined in your application may be paid or unpaid, and can include internships, volunteer work, and practicums. We understand that experience, education and learning, and creativity take many forms, and expect that qualified applicants may bring additional skills to this position that we’ve not considered or listed here. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply! 

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please include ‘Executive Assistant’ in the subject line. We are keen to fill this important position on our team, and applications will be received until the position is filled. Applications received by close of business January 29, 2025 will be given priority attention. 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

CRL enthusiastically embraces the empathy, courage, self-reflection, and respect of a multicultural, diverse, and inclusive workplace, and those who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions. CRL is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. CRL is committed to actively promoting the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion as key components for serving our members and advancing our global mission. As such, CRL complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment, hiring and employment and is dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CRL are based on organization needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CRL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. 

How to Apply

**Application Process **

Expertise in each requirement listed above is not expected — instead, we encourage applications from those who demonstrate a mix of expertise in some areas and commitment to learning and experimentation in others. Skills and relevant experience outlined in your application may be paid or unpaid, and can include internships, volunteer work, and practicums. We understand that experience, education and learning, and creativity take many forms, and expect that qualified applicants may bring additional skills to this position that we’ve not considered or listed here. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply! 

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please include ‘Executive Assistant’ in the subject line. We are keen to fill this important position on our team, and applications will be received until the position is filled. Applications received by close of business January 29, 2025 will be given priority attention. 

Application Contact

CRL HR Team

[email protected]

Apply To

Center for Research Libraries 6050 S Kenwood Ave Chicago, IL 60637

https://www.crl.edu