Application Guide
How to Apply for Executive Assistant to Benjamin Todd
at Benjamin Todd
🏢 About Benjamin Todd
Benjamin Todd is a unique organization focused on accelerating social and climate impact through results-based approaches in global development. As a co-founder of 80,000 Hours and author writing about AI and impactful careers, Benjamin Todd combines evidence-based thinking with practical implementation to transform how governments and aid institutions deliver services. Someone might want to work here to contribute to measurable impact on millions of lives while learning from a thought leader in effective altruism and career impact.
About This Role
This Executive Assistant role supports Benjamin Todd directly in managing his schedule, communications, and administrative tasks to maximize his impact on global development effectiveness. The role involves coordinating with government partners, aid institutions, and stakeholders across multiple time zones to facilitate partnerships that institutionalize performance incentives and outcomes-based approaches. By ensuring smooth operations, you'll enable Benjamin to focus on strategic initiatives that redirect large-scale funding toward innovation and evidence-based solutions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing Benjamin's schedule across multiple time zones, coordinating meetings with government officials in Africa, aid institution partners in Europe, and research collaborators in North America. You'd draft correspondence for partnership discussions, manage follow-ups from the Empowerment Hub initiatives, and ensure Benjamin has prepared materials for his writing on AI and career impact. The role involves balancing administrative efficiency with understanding the substantive work of transforming global development effectiveness.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Benjamin Todd Is Looking For
- Experience with remote collaboration tools (Slack, Asana, Calendly) and ability to manage complex schedules across multiple time zones efficiently
- Strong written communication skills with ability to draft professional correspondence for government officials and development partners
- Understanding of or interest in global development, effective altruism, or results-based financing approaches
- Proactive problem-solver who can anticipate needs and work independently in a part-time remote structure
📝 Tips for Applying to Benjamin Todd
Demonstrate specific experience with remote executive support by mentioning tools you've used and how you've managed time zone differences
Reference Benjamin Todd's work with 80,000 Hours or his writings on AI and impactful careers to show genuine interest in his mission
Highlight any experience with government, nonprofit, or international development sectors even if tangential
Quantify your organizational impact (e.g., 'managed calendar for 50+ weekly meetings across 12 time zones') rather than listing generic responsibilities
Tailor your application to show how you can help Benjamin scale his impact through efficient support systems
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your understanding of results-based approaches in global development and why they matter for impact', "Specific examples of how you've supported executives or principals in remote settings", 'How your skills align with supporting partnerships with governments and aid institutions', 'Why working with Benjamin Todd specifically appeals to you given his focus on AI, career impact, and evidence-based approaches']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Benjamin Todd's articles on AI and impactful careers on his website or through 80,000 Hours
- → Understand the concept of results-based financing and how it differs from traditional aid approaches
- → Review the 'Government Partnerships' and 'Empowerment Hub' sections of the job description to understand the specific work streams
- → Look into 80,000 Hours' career advice framework to understand Benjamin's approach to impact
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic executive assistant experience without connecting it to remote work, global development, or Benjamin's specific focus areas
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of the company's mission around results-based approaches and government partnerships
- Not addressing how you would handle the part-time, remote nature of the role in your application
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!