Application Guide

How to Apply for Manager, Executive Office

at Reading Partners

🏢 About Reading Partners

Reading Partners is a mission-driven national nonprofit that tackles educational inequity by mobilizing community volunteers to provide one-on-one literacy tutoring. Working here means directly contributing to closing the reading gap for students in under-resourced schools, with a supportive and collaborative culture focused on impact.

About This Role

As Manager, Executive Office, you will be the operational backbone for the CEO and Chief of Staff, ensuring seamless execution of priorities, board engagements, and cross-functional projects. This role is critical because it directly enables the executive team to focus on strategic initiatives, ultimately amplifying Reading Partners' reach and effectiveness.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your morning might start by reviewing the CEO's schedule and preparing briefing documents for upcoming meetings. Midday, you could coordinate with the Chief of Staff on a board engagement event, then handle expense reports and travel logistics for an upcoming donor visit. Afternoons often involve refining operational workflows or supporting cross-functional project timelines, all while proactively communicating with team members across time zones.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Reading Partners Is Looking For

  • Experienced in executive support: 3-4 years as an EA, operations manager, or project coordinator, ideally supporting C-suite leaders in a nonprofit with 200+ employees.
  • Master of logistics and organization: Proven ability to manage complex calendars, travel, and expense reports with precision and discretion.
  • Proactive problem-solver: Anticipates needs, designs efficient processes, and adapts quickly in a fast-paced, remote environment.
  • Mission-aligned communicator: Excellent written/verbal skills, comfortable interacting with board members, donors, and volunteers, and passionate about educational equity.

📝 Tips for Applying to Reading Partners

1

Highlight any experience with board management or donor relations in your resume, as these are key responsibilities.

2

If you've worked remotely before, emphasize your self-discipline and communication strategies for staying aligned with a distributed team.

3

Quantify your impact: e.g., 'Managed calendar for CEO of 300-person org, reducing scheduling conflicts by 20%.'

4

Tailor your cover letter to show understanding of Reading Partners' mission and how your role supports it.

5

Mention your time zone explicitly in your application to confirm Eastern time zone alignment or flexibility.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for literacy and educational equity, connecting your personal values to Reading Partners' mission.", 'Demonstrate your experience in a layered organization and with C-suite leaders, providing specific examples of managing complex schedules and projects.', 'Highlight your ability to improve operational processes, e.g., streamlining travel or expense reporting.', 'Show your comfort working remotely and proactively communicating with executives and stakeholders across time zones.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Reading Partners' tutoring model and recent impact metrics (e.g., students served, volunteer hours).
  • → Review the organization's strategic plan or annual report to understand current priorities and challenges.
  • → Look up the CEO and Chief of Staff on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and leadership style.
  • → Check the 'About' and 'Careers' pages for insight into culture and values.
Visit Reading Partners's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you prioritize competing demands from multiple executives (CEO, Chief of Staff, board members)?
2 Describe a time you improved an operational process in an executive office; what was the impact?
3 How would you handle a last-minute change to the CEO's travel or schedule?
4 What experience do you have with board meeting logistics or donor engagement?
5 How do you maintain confidentiality and build trust with senior leaders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too generic: Don't just list duties; connect your experience to the specific needs of an executive office in a nonprofit.
  • Underestimating the importance of process improvement: This role expects you to optimize, not just execute.
  • Neglecting to mention remote work readiness: Failing to address how you stay productive and communicate in a remote setting can raise concerns.

📅 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 Reading Partners!

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