Special Assistant, Government Renewal Project

Overview

The Special Assistant will serve as a critical partner to the President and senior leadership of the Government Renewal Project and a central contributor to the project’s operations and stakeholder engagement. This role requires someone who is highly organized, adaptable, and proactive—able to anticipate needs, and manage complex workflows.

The Government Renewal Project is an initiative focused on building the government Americans want, deserve, and need. Our mission is to provide the next U.S. president with a first-year blueprint for building and enhancing federal government capacity to deliver results for the American people, while laying the groundwork for long-term government revitalization and transformation. Through operational, institutional, and workforce fixes and reform, the Government Renewal Project aims to bridge the gap between policy aspirations and governmental capacity while rebuilding public trust in American institutions.

Digital Harbor Foundation is dedicated to fostering learning, creativity, productivity, and community through education with a vision of digital equity for everyone. Driven by our sincere belief that access to opportunity is a basic right, we take bold yet practical actions to support making a better future now. Through a portfolio of projects focused on developing leadership within communities, we support those closest to challenges to take deliberate actions based in design thinking approach, backed by data analysis, grounded in a practice of collective impact, and driven by a commitment to racial equity.

Experience Requirements

• 2–5 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in roles involving executive or principal support

Preferred Experience

• Experience working in federal government, a policy organization, or a mission-driven initiative
• Experience coordinating complex events or stakeholder convenings
• Background in early-stage organizational operations or project management systems

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft materials for senior leadership
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, solve problems independently, and keep work moving forward
• Comfort handling confidential information and supporting high-level leadership
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides).
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and multitasking skills.

Additional Notes

This position is fully remote with occasional in-person meetings or travel to the Washington, DC area as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Role and Responsibilities

Executive Support to the GRP President (60%)

• Manage the President’s schedule, ensuring time is aligned with strategic priorities and organizational

needs

• Act as a liaison for scheduling and administrative points of contact across many partner organizations, providing timely information and responses to scheduling requests and in managing complex scheduling activities
• Coordinate the President’s briefings, correspondence, and external outreach to and from partners and stakeholders
• Draft emails, memos, and preparatory materials to support the President’s engagements and decision-making
• Anticipate operational and logistical needs to enable the President’s efficient and effective engagement across internal and external workstreams
• Maintain clear systems that ensure follow-through on action items, commitments, and requests

Stakeholder Management & Event Execution (20%)

• Support planning, coordination, and execution of convenings and meetings—including expert

roundtables, stakeholder briefings, and multi-partner gatherings

• Support event logistics, agendas, participant tracking and communications, and post-

event follow-up, coordinating with other staff and consultants involved in planning and executing those events

• Support the GRP staff’s relationship management with subject-matter experts, partner organizations, senior government alumni, and philanthropic stakeholders
• Maintain tracking of partner and stakeholder engagements, ensuring continuity and alignment across

the project’s broader ecosystem

• Work closely with the President and staff to support external communications and outreach strategies

Operations & Project Management (20%)

• Work closely with staff to ensure organizational alignment and cross-team execution, ensuring a regular schedule and effective agendas for staff communication and meetings
• Maintain meeting agendas and project management infrastructure across teams, ensure clarity on deliverables and milestones, and track progress
• Support hiring processes, including drafting materials, coordinating interviews, and maintaining

candidate tracking

• Contribute to writing and research for internal documents, external briefings, and strategic communications
• Identify emerging needs, operational gaps, and opportunities for improved coordination—and drive

solutions proactively
 

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Compensation
Compensation for this full-time position is $70,000 - 80,000 annually, commensurate with experience. 

The Government Renewal Project provides a best-in-class comprehensive set of benefits to support the team. All regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive:

Health Benefits & Insurance

• Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (100% of the premium paid for employees and 85% of dependents)
• Pre-Tax Health Savings Account (HSA) (with $365 monthly employer contributions)
• Pre-Tax Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
• Paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance (Employee, Spouse & Dependent Children)
• Total Pet Plan and Supplemental Wishbone Pet Insurance
• Employee Opportunity Program (EAP) - Health and Wellness
• Wellness Reimbursement Program 

Retirement

• 401k Retirement Plan (with 6% matching)

Paid Time Off

• 15 Days Paid Time Off Per Year
• 20 Days Paid Time Off Per Year (after 3rd Anniversary)
• 25 Days Paid Time Off Per Year (after 6th Anniversary)
• 16 Paid Holidays (14 common plus 2 flexible holidays, including Dec 25 - Jan 1)
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Paid Parental Leave for Moms and Dads (two weeks after first year)

If our mission and vision align with your personal values, please apply! A cover letter outlining your qualifications for the position along with your resume is required. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Digital Harbor and the Government Renewal Project are equal opportunity employers.