Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Position Overview: The Regional Airline Association (RAA) seeks a motivated and collaborative Executive Assistant in Washington, DC (Hybrid) with strong interpersonal, communications and project management skills. 

The ideal candidate will help to increase productivity at all levels of the organization by anticipating needs, gathering information and ensuring smooth operations, while representing the CEO professionally and efficiently. The position requires a highly motivated, experienced individual who will initiate projects, work independently without direct supervision and be attentive to detail. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are a must. 

The candidate must have proficiency in using various software and tools, such as Microsoft Office Suite, project management platforms, and communication tools, and leveraging of digital tools for better time management and communication is essential. The candidate must be able to use/learn additional software programs as needed, including basic web and email posting.

The candidate should expect a dynamic schedule that strives to support a healthy work-life balance, including a hybrid office environment and flexible start times, and will occasionally require weekend and evening work to support critical projects.  

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Manage the CEOs calendar, setting appointments and ensuring work time blocks.  
• Assist with the CEOs emails; respond to member and stakeholder requests within limits of authority, route inquiries outside of authority to CEO or appropriate team member, and follow up to ensure completion. 
• Develop a thorough understanding of RAA stakeholders’ roles and interests; maintain a database of key contacts, track issues to support critical decisions, research issues, share information, and keep track of stakeholders. 
• Meeting preparation: research topics and stakeholders, preparing thorough briefing materials for the CEO before interactions and meetings, helping to prepare for upcoming commitments and responsibilities.   
• Support project management, including coordination of CEOs tasks, deadlines and resources to ensure successful project outcomes; including follow up on action items and commitments made by CEO, team, or Board members during meetings.
• Support the CEOs basic bookkeeping tasks, such as monitoring budgets, processing invoices and accounts payable, gathering and submitting materials for the yearly audit, and filing expense reports for the CEO. 
• Support the administrative HR tasks of the CEO, such as tracking leave records, and uploading/updating confidential employee data related to pay and benefits.
• Prepare on- and off-site meetings, including meal/refreshment arrangements, notifications, agendas, meeting room set-up and follow-up. 
• Organize travel itineraries, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and meeting schedules, ensuring a seamless experience.
• Maintain files, including emails, electronic documents, and hard copies and manage critical Association documents, such as financial reports, insurance renewals, contracts and employee data, upholding confidentiality and accessibility for prompt decision-making. 
• Assist the CEO with tasks related to the RAA Board of Directors, taking the lead on assembling and distributing Board books and other materials for Board meetings, maintaining the Board contact list, and corresponding with Board members and their Executive Assistants in support of a seamless experience for our Board members.

Qualifications for the Position Include:

• Seven or more years of supporting executives in a trade association (ideally) or small business environment. 
• Associate’s degree in business administration or similar is preferred but not required provided the candidate has strong work experience. 
• Aviation familiarity and/or Capitol Hill experience a plus. 
• Willingness to travel (up to 15%). 

Critical Attributes of the Ideal Candidate: 

• Thrives in a leadership support role, aspires to become a strategic partner. 
• Highly ethical and diplomatic. Protects the integrity of confidential information. 
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to anticipate and proactively manage projects and issues, strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Highly accountable; holds self and others to high standards; owns up to and resolves any mistakes quickly.  
• Tech savvy – embraces technologies and looks for tools and resources that streamline processes. 
• Flexible, strong emotional intelligence, able to adjust work and communication style when needed to ensure smooth task execution and effective support.
• Willing to understand the purpose and vision of the Regional Airline Association, embracing service in support of our members and their critical work.
• Extremely resourceful, takes initiative, thinks critically, anticipates needs, follows up thoroughly with impeccable organization and conscientious attention to detail.  
• Strong researcher with excellent listening skills; able to learn subject matter quickly and thoroughly -- strong attention to detail and focus on accuracy. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communicator, capable of conveying messages and providing issue updates accurately, professionally and succinctly. 
• Strong time manager, can handle reasonably high work volume without letting quality slip. 
• Boasts exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain meticulous records. 
• Streamlines workflows and introduces efficiencies to ensure operational excellence, identifies areas for process enhancement, keeping pace with industry trends. 
• Ambitious for yourself and the organization – willing to stretch beyond comfort zone and assume new responsibilities and grow within the position and organization.  

Compensation and benefits 

As a member of the RAA team, you will have the opportunity to contribute, enjoy a supportive team environment, and make a difference in an organization where your work is mission-critical and valued. 

Salary range for the role is $75,000-90,000/year with additional, discretionary bonus and profit-sharing programs. RAA offers competitive benefits, including choice of medical plans with employer contribution, plus free life, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with matching contributions, generous paid time off, plus 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave. RAA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

About RAA
RAA provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable and strong regional airline industry and serves as an important support network connecting regional airlines and industry business partners, enabling them to share best practices.

Regional airlines are critical American infrastructure and operate one-third of the nation’s flights. Most American communities are too small for direct service by major airlines, and regional airlines provide the onlysource of scheduled, commercial air service to 63% of our nation’s airports.