Project Manager/Executive Assistant

Looking to help shape the future of Durham? Look no further! Durham Next is a nonprofit organization operated by Discover Durham and is a visionary community partnership for the sustainable advancement of Durham as the best place to live, work, and visit. Durham Next aims to create a prosperous Durham for everyone by actively pursuing transformative projects, programs, and other community-based opportunities that will attract visitors and newcomers and build a thriving environment for our residents. Discover Durham is Durham’s marketing and sales agency, generating economic impact by drawing 13 million leisure, business, and sports visitors to our vibrant community each year. Discover Durham also operates the Durham Sports Commission (DSC), a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support, and promote youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional sporting and recreational events.



Durham Next is seeking an Executive Assistant to join our growing team. The Executive Assistant/Project Manager tracks Durham Next project activities, keeping the staff and project teams organized and productive, and provides administrative and logistical support to the team, ensuring smooth daily operations and effective governance processes. This role helps maintain clear communication across leadership, the Board of Directors, and key stakeholders; assists with coordination of cross-departmental projects and internal processes; and supports the Executive Director and Board of Directors with scheduling, documentation, and materials related to economic development initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support meetings with the Board of Directors, the Community Advisory Council, and other external or partner organizations, including scheduling, preparing agendas and materials, taking minutes, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Document minutes, decisions, and next steps for project teams and staff; work with team leaders to set projects up in project management platform (Asana), create and update assignments.
• Follow project progress, identify risks or obstacles, and implement practical solutions to keep initiatives on schedule and within scope.
• Facilitate communications flow for the Executive Director, including screening and drafting correspondence, preparing presentations, prioritizing inquiries, and serving as the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage finance-related administrative tasks, including entering purchase orders and processing receipts.
• Track, delegate, and monitor incoming tasks and work orders for the Durham Next team, ensuring proper information is provided and tasks are completed in a timely fashion.
• Track board and committee engagement, maintain rosters, and support recruitment logistics.
• Support preparation and compilation of progress reports and updates for partners, funders, and committees.
• Maintain filing systems and records, including contracts, agreements, and partner communications, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
• Assist with cross-departmental projects and internal processes.
• Oversee scheduling and calendar management for the Executive Director
• Coordinate logistics for internal meetings, retreats, trainings, and events, including space setup, materials preparation, travel arrangements, and refreshments as needed. Prepare the logistic itineraries and processing expense reports.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, or related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in administrative coordination, executive support, or nonprofit operations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Highly organized, extremely detail-oriented, and able to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with competing priorities.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and collaborate across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Experience in Asana or other project management software.
• Strong meeting or event planning and coordination abilities.
• Initiative to solve problems with energy and a positive attitude.
• Occasional evening or weekend work.

Salary & Benefits
Durham Next offers exceptional benefits, including employer-paid insurance premiums for staff and employer contributions to HSA, generous retirement contributions to the NC pension program, an enviable vacation and holiday allowance, paid parental leave, a wellness stipend, a monthly mobile device stipend, paid downtown parking, and a great team of coworkers. It is a flexible hybrid work environment, with employees expected to be in the office at least three days a week. Plus, you’ll work in a prime location on Main Street in the heart of downtown Durham.


As Project Manager/Executive Assistant, you can expect a salary in the range of $60,000 to $65,000, commensurate with experience.



Durham Next is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

PLEASE, NO PHONE CALLS, EMAILS, OR WALK-INS REGARDING THIS POSITION.