Special Assistant to the CEO, FESI (Hybrid, Washington, DC)

About Carrington Talent Group

Founded in 2019 by Catherine Carrington, Carrington Talent Group has built a reputation for delivering high-quality executive search results that prioritize success for both clients and candidates. We are proud to be managing this search on behalf of FESI and look forward to engaging with you throughout the process.

About FESI: The Foundation for Energy Security & Innovation (FESI) was created to help accelerate innovative solutions in support of American energy security, prosperity, and leadership. We are the official congressionally chartered, nonprofit partner of the Department of Energy (DOE). Founded in 2022 under the CHIPS and Science Act, the Foundation is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between the DOE, industry, researchers and funders helping to accelerate the speed, scale and stability of American energy innovation.

In partnership with DOE, National Laboratories, industry, and funders, FESI can engage in ways no other organization can. Our philanthropic capital strategy draws from corporations, foundations, individuals and family offices, nonprofits and think tanks, and global partners

FESI is in a rapid startup phase, building its team and launching strategic initiatives. We operate at the intersection of a mission driven foundation and a fast-moving startup. That means we pair purpose with speed, discipline with creativity, and scale with entrepreneurial energy. We embrace curiosity as a daily habit, keep things fun even when the work gets tough, and hold ourselves to high standards of integrity. Everyone shows up prepared. We put people first because that’s how the mission is successful. We’re still designing many of the systems, processes, and norms that will define the Foundation in the long term. Every team member is responsible for both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

The Opportunity This is a unique opportunity for a highly organized, proactive professional who wants a front row seat to building a growing organization from the ground up. Working directly in support of FESI's CEO, Board and leadership team, you'll help shape how the organization operates while gaining exposure to executive decision-making, organizational strategy, and high impact partnerships.

More than a traditional executive support role, this position sits at the center of the organization and serves as a key partner in helping leadership move ideas into action. You'll coordinate across teams, manage high-priority initiatives, support Board and leadership engagement, and help build and execute the systems and processes that will support FESI's continued growth.

This role offers broad visibility across the organization and meaningful exposure to senior leaders, strategic initiatives, and key external stakeholders, including leaders across the Department of Energy ecosystem; National Laboratory, philanthropic, industry, and nonprofit partners; and external vendors and event partners. The ideal candidate enjoys bringing structure to complexity, anticipates needs before they arise, and thrives in fast-moving environments where no two days look the same. Based in the DC metro area, this is a hybrid role that has the opportunity to work remotely 2-3 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support

• Provide expert administrative management support to the CEO; independently compose and prepare correspondence and email communications; arrange complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; provide documents and resources for travel-related meetings.
• Manage the CEO's calendar with internal and external stakeholders; provide adequate timelines and preparation for immediate and recurring meetings and events; provide meeting agendas, connection/access details, and arrange logistics for in-office meetings.
• Capture key decisions, action items, and strategic directives from CEO meetings, communications, and initiatives.
• Translate CEO workflows into structured entries within project management tools and CRM platforms, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure tasks derived from CEO workflows are assigned, tracked, and completed.
• Help drive organizational effectiveness by creating structure, accountability, and visibility around key priorities and initiatives.
• Leverage and navigate a variety of technology platforms and systems, including calendaring, videoconferencing, project management, CRM, document management, and collaboration tools; independently learn and adopt new systems as organizational needs evolve. Board and Stakeholder Engagement
• Support the FESI Board of Directors and Committees meetings and initiatives; manage assigned Board communication, meeting calendars, agenda items, logistics, special event planning and ensure that all communication is timely and accurate.
• Collaborate with the Board Secretary and legal team to support compliance and recordkeeping requirements.

Special Projects and Events

• Execute and manage a variety of special projects; create individual project plans, set timeline expectations, regularly communicate status, and ensure that projects are completed and managed for success.
• Design, coordinate, and execute events and experiences that enhance stakeholder engagement and demonstrate the organization’s Return on Involvement.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to deliver high-quality events, including planning, budgeting, logistics, and post-event evaluation.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• 5 years of experience supporting senior executives (including leadership and Board/Committee meetings)
• Strong judgment and demonstrated experience handling confidential information as a trusted assistant supporting senior leaders
• Ability to work in an entrepreneurial environment, with limited structure and supervision
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to work independently, to prioritize and deliver on multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, listening
• Track record of developing and using processes and procedures that deliver productivity and efficiency
• Demonstrated proactive approach to think things through, use judgment to problem solve, and deliver quality work within established timelines
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and professional presence, with the ability to engage confidently and effectively with senior leaders, Board members, government officials, and other high-profile external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to self-manage under pressure, exhibit energy, flexibility and emotional maturity while preserving professionalism in a full and fast-paced work environment Preferred
• Experience building and scaling operations in a startup phase
• Office365/Sharepoint, familiarity with project management (Asana) and CRM tools (Salesforce)
• Event management and event support experience

Compensation & Benefits Base Salary : $90,000 – $105,000 (Washington, DC benchmark).

Benefits : FESI offers a competitive benefits package

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance
• Paid time off (15 days) and all federal holidays, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• Flexible work schedule and hybrid options

Work Environment This full-time position is based in Washington, DC and is a hybrid role (in office 2–3 days a week). This role may require occasional travel to support the CEO, Board activities, organizational events, and stakeholder engagements.