Special Assistant to CEO

Position: Special Assistant to the CEO
ABOUT US | HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building equitable and resilient communities, and improving people's lives.

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans and then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations, and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, Washington D.C and the Bay Area. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our staff.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website here.

THE ROLE | We are seeking candidates for a Special Assistant to the CEO based in the New York City office. This person provides strategic support to maximize the CEO's effectiveness. They will serve as a connector across the organization, working closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to link people, projects, and priorities. The ideal candidate is a fast learner with a service-oriented mindset, eager to take on new challenges and grow in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Working closely with the CEO, the role will be a strong learning and development experience with a significant amount of responsibility.

Administrative Support

• Collaborate with the CEO's Executive Assistant to manage calendars, communications, and daily flow of work with precision and foresight.

• Prepare briefing materials, track follow-ups, and maintain systems that help the CEO stay ahead of priorities and operate smoothly.

Project Management and Communications

• Support the CEO and Executive Leadership Team in advancing firmwide priorities and special initiatives. This includes tracking progress, surfacing issues, preparing concise materials for decision-making, and ensuring follow-through.

• Assist in drafting, editing, and organizing communications from the CEO, including internal updates, visuals and PowerPoint decks, external correspondence, and thought leadership content.

• Contribute to improving systems over time, including experimenting with new tools and AI-enabled workflows.

Business Development Operations

• Help organize and advance the CEO's business development efforts by tracking opportunities, preparing research briefs, supporting outreach and follow-up.

Meeting Preparation

• Help plan and prepare for internal and external meetings, including board and leadership meetings, speaking engagements, and key events. This includes agenda development, coordination with internal teams, preparation of materials, and tracking action items.

Special Projects

• As the role evolves, the Special Assistant will have opportunities to contribute to client engagements, internal firm initiatives, and emerging areas such as research and AI, aligned with both individual strengths and firm priorities.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Successful candidates bring at least 5-10 years of experience managing complex work, coordinating across teams with senior leaders, and supporting organizational priorities, along with the judgment, communication skills, and adaptability needed to succeed in this role including:

• Action-oriented and solution-focused. Enjoys tackling complex problems, creating practical solutions, and following through to completion. Comfortable moving between strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

• Intentional and systems-minded. Brings order to complexity by planning ahead, thinking systematically, and building clear, effective processes.

• Highly empathetic and service-oriented. Understands different perspectives, builds trust easily, and takes pride in helping others succeed.

• Strong communicator. An…