The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy.
The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: recruit, grow, create – recruit out-of-state companies to expand their operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to grow their business in Arizona and beyond; and partner with entrepreneurs and companies large and small to create new jobs and businesses in targeted industries.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides high-level administrative and professional support in a highly visible public sector environment. This individual ensures the smooth operation of the CEO’s daily functions, and represents the Executive Leadership team with exceptional follow through and professionalism, and supports strategic initiatives that advance the ACA’s mission and priorities. The role requires outstanding judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex and confidential matters involving internal leadership, clients and industry partners, board members, and community stakeholders.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and prioritize all aspects of the CEO’s complex calendar, proactively anticipating needs, resolving scheduling conflicts, and ensuring thorough preparation for meetings, conference calls, public appearances, board meetings, policy briefings, and high-level delegations.
- Review incoming correspondence – email, mail, and other communications – responding as appropriate and escalating items that require executive attention.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring timely, courteous, and accurate communication.
- Coordinate and execute domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries, travel documentation, and logistics related to official engagements and conferences.
- Track and manage action items and strategic tasks for the CEO, following up with department leads and ensuring timely completion.
- Handle confidential and sensitive personnel, legal, and policy information with exceptional discretion and attention to compliance requirements.
- May plan and coordinate meetings and events, including agenda development, preparation of materials, facility arrangement, note-taking, and distribution of follow up actions.
- Manage expense reports, invoices, and approvals to ensure timely and accurate processing.
- Support implementation of strategic projects and performance metrics, providing administrative research or coordination as needed.
COMPETENCY, EDUCATIONAL & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, communications, or a related field of study; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior, C-suite, executive support, preferably in government, public agency, or nonprofit executive setting.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information, and exercise sound independent judgment.
- Superior verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills; highly collaborative team approach to work.
- Strong organizational and analytical abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple high-priority assignments simultaneously.
- Proven ability to communicate, influence, establish trust, and demonstrate results with multiple stakeholder groups will be critical to success for this position.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and virtual meeting platforms.
- Professional presence, initiative, and adaptability in a fast-paced, public-facing environment.
- Commitment to public service values, including integrity, accountability, and equitable treatment of all stakeholders.
- This position may require flexible availability outside standard business hours to support executive meetings, board sessions, and external events.
- Occasional travel may be required for official business, community engagement, and intergovernmental coordination.
- Base compensation for this position is between 90K - 105K, depending on experience.
HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with Salesforce CRM.
- High tolerance for ambiguity; able to effectively cope with change, can shift gears comfortably, can decide and act without having the total picture, comfortably handles risk and uncertainty.
- Ability to gain credibility and establish relationships to influence and generate results; can quickly organize and influence teams to execute and deliver results.
- Successful record of managing multiple projects with demonstrated ability to work independently in rapidly changing environments.