Executive Associate

Executive Associate to the Executive Director YouthBuild Boston — $50K–$65K

Reports to: Executive Director Status: Full-time, exempt, individual contributor (not a member of the senior leadership team) Location: Boston, MA

About the Role

YouthBuild Boston is seeking an Executive Associate to serve as a strategic thought partner and project lead for the Executive Director, with a particular focus on government relations. This is a high-trust, high-visibility role for someone early in their career who wants broad exposure to nonprofit leadership, public policy, external partnerships, and strategic communications, without carrying formal management responsibility. The Executive Associate operates across the organization but sits outside the senior leadership structure (Director of Programs, Director of Grants & Program Management, Director of Philanthropy).

Key Responsibilities

External Relationships & Board Support

• Represent the ED in select external meetings and partner check-ins beyond government contacts
• Support board relations: prepare board meeting materials and follow-up communications in coordination with the ED
• Assist with YouthBuild Boston's government relations and public affairs efforts: help to build and maintain relationships with city, state, and federal elected officials and agency staff
• Organize and support elected-official site visits, tours, and relationship-building touchpoints
• Represent the ED at community and public-sector convenings; prepare briefing memos and talking points on the organization's mission and impact
• Liaise with coalition partners and advocacy networks on shared policy priorities

Strategic Partnership & Project Management

• Serve as a thought partner to the ED on organizational priorities and emerging opportunities
• Lead discrete, cross-functional strategic projects on the ED's behalf from scoping through execution, coordinating with directors and staff without owning a program budget or supervising staff
• Own project plans, timelines, and milestones for ED-led initiatives; keep workstreams on track between meetings
• Track follow-through on ED commitments and cross-team initiatives, flagging risks and blockers early
• Serve as project management lead on special projects, coordinating across departments as needed
• Manage scheduling and logistics for the ED's external commitments

Strategic Communications

• Draft and shape the ED's external-facing communications, including public comment, community/policy correspondence, and issue-education materials, in coordination with (not under) the communications function

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; strong fit for a recent graduate or candidate with 0–3 years of professional experience
• Interest in or coursework/experience in public policy, government affairs, or public administration strongly preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High discretion and sound judgment; able to represent the ED externally, including with elected officials
• Strong project management instincts, can drive a project without formal authority
• Nonprofit, youth development, or workforce development interest a plus