Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Assistant, Program Leadership

at Facing History and Ourselves

🏢 About Facing History and Ourselves

Facing History & Ourselves is a global education nonprofit that empowers teachers and students to confront bigotry and hate through historical lessons. Its mission-driven culture and commitment to social justice make it a uniquely impactful place to work, where your administrative skills directly support educational equity.

About This Role

This role provides high-level support to the VP of Program Strategy and the Program Leadership team, acting as a key liaison for internal and external stakeholders. You'll gain exposure to strategic initiatives and nonprofit leadership, making it an excellent launchpad for a career in mission-driven organizations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking the VP’s calendar for priority meetings, drafting correspondence to external partners, and coordinating logistics for an upcoming program event. You’ll also field questions from the Program Leadership team, update project trackers, and end the day by preparing briefing materials for the next day’s meetings.

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🎯 Who Facing History and Ourselves Is Looking For

  • Early-career professional with 1-3 years of administrative experience, including internships or full-time roles, demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Proactive and solutions-oriented, able to juggle competing priorities with calmness and attention to detail.
  • Intuitive and thoughtful, with experience representing a leader or organization in written and verbal communication.
  • Comfortable working remotely and collaborating across time zones, with a reliable home office setup and self-discipline.

📝 Tips for Applying to Facing History and Ourselves

1

Highlight any experience supporting senior leaders or teams, even in volunteer or academic settings, and quantify your impact (e.g., managed calendars for 3 executives).

2

Showcase your familiarity with Facing History’s mission by mentioning specific programs or resources on their website in your cover letter.

3

Emphasize your ability to work autonomously in a remote environment—provide examples of how you stay organized and communicate effectively without direct supervision.

4

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'stakeholder communication,' 'event coordination,' and 'cross-functional collaboration.'

5

Submit a clean, error-free application with a professional email address and a cover letter that addresses the VP directly (use their name if you can find it).

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express genuine passion for Facing History’s mission and how it aligns with your values.', 'Describe your experience providing executive support, emphasizing your ability to anticipate needs and manage complex schedules.', 'Mention your comfort with remote work and your strategies for staying connected with a dispersed team.', 'Highlight your interest in learning about nonprofit strategy from a high-level perspective and your eagerness to contribute to program impact.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Facing History’s website to understand their core programs (e.g., Holocaust and Human Behavior, Choosing to Participate).
  • → Read recent news or blog posts about their impact, especially related to program strategy or learning outcomes.
  • → Review the VP of Program Strategy’s LinkedIn profile or any public presentations to understand their priorities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the nonprofit’s remote work culture and any tools they use (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Asana).
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple leaders with competing deadlines?
2 Describe a time you had to represent a leader or organization in a sensitive communication. How did you handle it?
3 What do you know about Facing History’s current programs or initiatives, and why do they matter?
4 How do you maintain organization and communication in a fully remote environment?
5 Tell us about a time you improved an administrative process. What was the outcome?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t reference Facing History’s mission or specific role responsibilities.
  • Failing to demonstrate remote work readiness—e.g., not mentioning your home office setup or time management strategies.
  • Overlooking the need for discretion and professionalism; avoid sharing too much personal information or oversharing in interviews.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Facing History and Ourselves!

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