Executive Assistant, Brilla Schools Network
Bronx, NY

Seton Education Partners seeks a mission-driven, results and detail-oriented person to serve as Executive Assistant for the Brilla Schools Network Charter Management Organization (CMO). The Executive Assistant will provide administrative support to the Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Initiatives by managing key administrative processes, as well as supporting communications and external relations. As a champion of Seton’s mission, culture and values, this individual will work closely with the organization's Bronx-based executive team to support the implementation of its mission.

Background

Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton Education Partners is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools in America, which have served the economically disadvantaged well for decades.

In 2013, amidst the shuttering of 60+ urban Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York, Seton launched Brilla College Prep Public Charter School in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Brilla, which means “shine” in Spanish, has achieved academic results that parallel the nation’s most acclaimed high-poverty schools. Alongside Brilla, Seton launched El Camino, an optional, privately funded extended-day Catholic faith formation program. In only eight years, 204 children have been baptized through their participation in El Camino.

Seton is working to take these remarkable achievements to scale by managing a network of schools and programs that ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically excellent, character-building, and, for those who choose it, faith-nurturing education. This network is a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve children and families with limited educational options. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About the Brilla Schools Network

Brilla Public Charter Schools, K-8 Schools in the classical tradition, help students to grow intellectually, socially, and physically into young men and women of good character and spirit, and to be prepared for excellence in high school, college and beyond. Brilla schools seek to form students to lead lives of excellence, virtue and purpose. We do this through a classically-inspired curriculum and pedagogy, a robust character education program, centered around our core virtues of courage, justice, wisdom and self-control, a longer school day and year, technology-based blended learning to deliver individualized instruction, and intensive teacher support.

The first Brilla charter school opened its doors in 2013, with 200 kindergarten and first graders, and currently serves nearly 1,600 children in grades K-8 across six campuses in the Bronx. Currently composed of four elementary and two middle schools, the Brilla network plans to open two middle schools over the next four years. Brilla partnered with the Public Prep charter school network to open Vertex, the first partnership charter high school in the Bronx, in August 2022, to serve each network’s graduating 8th grade students.

In Fall 2023, Brilla will open its doors in Paterson, NJ. The school will start with 225 students and grow to serve 675 students in grades K-8.

Roughly three-fourths of Brilla scholars are Latino, and one fourth are African American. Over 90% qualify for the federal meals program. About one in three students are Multi Language Learners, and one in five has special needs.

About El Camino

El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, is an optional, privately-funded Catholic after-school faith formation program that is closely partnered with Brilla charter schools. El Camino helps children, their families and their catechists to know, love and serve Christ and His Church; develop the habits, dispositions and beliefs that are indispensable to human flourishing and happiness; and live as disciples in this world and saints in the next. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.

El Camino currently serves approximately 40% of Brilla’s students for 90 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday. Children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 30 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation. This video provides a snapshot of El Camino.

About the Position

The Executive Assistant will report jointly to the Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Initiatives providing administrative support. This person will take initiative, anticipate needs, and“sweat the small stuff” while maintaining an ability to see the big picture of a growing network. The Executive Assistant will gradually become the owner of key functions and projects, maintaining the network team’s administrative systems and routines.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

• You have unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values

• You take personal responsibility
• You have a strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• You have a relentless drive for excellence and attention to detail
• You have an unwavering determination to be better today than you were yesterday

Main Responsibilities

Executive Team Support - Reporting to the Chief of Staff

• Support the Executive Team through a combination of project management and administrative management, including: scheduling, event and travel logistics, expense reports, and more
• Manage network-wide calendar invitations
• Manage monthly expense reports on behalf of the executive director and Head of Schools
• Assist Executive Director and Chief of Staff in drafting, copy-editing, and distributing network team communications
• Assist with event planning and coordination for the annual Senior Leadership Team Retreat and Quarterly offsites (book hotels, coordinate travel, and communicate with the team regarding logistics)
• In collaboration with the Network Operations Manager, coordinate network-team monthly convenings, annual day-long offsite, and annual day-long onboarding meeting to ensure events are high quality and mission-aligned
• Execute delegated tasks as they arise

Schools Team Support - Reporting to the Director of Strategic Initiatives

• Support the Schools Team through a combination of project management and administrative management, including: scheduling, event and travel logistics, expense reports, and more
• Maintain Schools Team-wide calendar invitations
• Take minutes during Schools Team meetings and assist with agenda creation.
• Assist with event planning and coordination for Schools Team offsites and strategic retreats
• Execute delegated tasks as they arise

Board Management - Reporting to the Chief of Staff

• Liaise with stakeholders and board presenters to compile and distribute monthly board packets
• Record board meeting and committee meeting minutes on behalf of the board secretary
• Manage organization of all board documents and records, ensuring accessibility for all board members, including management of the board resource website
• Ensure compliance with Open Meetings Law by posting meeting minutes and announcements and communicating with the board members in a timely manner
• Manage logistics for in person board meetings and special events

Communications - Reporting to the Chief of Staff

• Support the Chief of Staff in the writing, editing and publishing our quarterly The Perch eNewsletter (Experience with MailChimp and WordPress a plus)
  • As requested, conduct interviews with internal staff members for quarterly “Brilla Interview,” draft, and copy-edit articles
  • Identify photos for the articles
  • Post articles on our Perch blog (Wordpress)
  • Create MailChimp email with the Perch and send to Perch mailing list
  • Manage the distribution list for the Perch, which includes adding new staff and families on a bi-annual basis.
• Assist the Chief of Staff with website updates and management including copy-editing and content updates; Post board meeting updates on the website =

Required Skills/Abilities

• Detail-Oriented Communicator: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with keen attention to detail
• “Can-do” attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• Organized: effectively prioritizes and manages a number of different tasks
• Discrete: can be trusted with confidential information
• Continuous Learner: Absorbs and internalizes new information quickly. Constantly seeks opportunities to learn and improve, making use of successes and failures to find a better way.
• Punctual: Responsive and sets and meets internal and external deadlines
• Self-aware: Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses and the perceptions of others and adjusts accordingly. Is open to feedback, works to improve upon weaknesses, shows balance of confidence and humility, and behaves professionally.

Preferred skills:

• Familiarity with Google platforms, Microsoft Office, WordPress, MailChimp, and social media platforms
• Understanding of non-profit accounting standards
• Familiarity with the Roman Catholic understanding of the human person a big plus

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 1+ years of professional experience preferred

Diversity & Inclusivity
We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

To Apply

Initial application materials include: a cover letter, contact information for three references, and a resume that includes information on your background and leadership experience.

Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.

The base pay range for this position is $65,000-$75,000 per year in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Pay may vary within the stated range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

XqPxNOoqp8