The Online News Association (ONA) seeks a part-time contract Executive Assistant to support the CEO/Executive Director and the organization. The role will play a key part in managing administrative and organizational tasks and improving efficiency by handling day-to-day duties and freeing senior leadership up for strategic work. 

Key Responsibilities

Calendar and Time Management

• Scheduling: Maintaining CEO’s calendar, prioritizing meeting requests and resolving conflicts across different time zones.

• Gatekeeping: Filtering distractions and requests to ensure the CEO’s time is spent on high-priority strategic goals.

Communication and Correspondence

• Community Support: Responding to support requests and general questions from members, partners and other stakeholders in Intercom and Slack, routing inquiries to the appropriate staff as necessary.

• Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate databases, filing systems and contact lists.

• Milestones: Tracking key dates, including birthdays and anniversaries across the team and board. Sending e-cards, sourcing and sending gifts as requested.

Travel and Expense Management

• Travel Logistics: Arranging end-to-end travel (flights, ground transportation and hotels), preparing detailed itineraries and managing last-minute changes

• Expense Reporting: Tracking expenses, collecting receipts and submitting reports through tools such as Expensify. 

Meeting and Event Coordination

• Logistics: Booking virtual and in-person meeting spaces, arranging audio/visual equipment, and catering and other related details as necessary.

• Event Support: Supporting on-site logistical needs for major in-person events (e.g., staff retreats, board meetings, annual conferences, awards gala, summits), including coordination with vendors and day-of management. Travel to support events in person may be required, including overnight and on weekends.

Qualifications: 

Education and Experience

• Education and Experience: 2-4 years supporting executives, senior leadership or board-level operations. High school diploma minimum; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred. We prioritize demonstrated capability over credentials. Strong candidates from nonprofit, event coordination or operations backgrounds are welcome. 

Core Skills and Abilities

• Executive Awareness: Understanding CEO priorities and rhythm. Comfortable handling confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.

• Logistical Moxie: Detail-oriented and flexible with creative planning and problem-solving. Handles both virtual and in-person needs with equal ease, foresight and resourcefulness.

• Community Representation: Clear, professional communication across multiple audiences (CEO, board of directors, members, partners and sponsors). Independent judgment about what you can answer and when to escalate. Tact and problem-solving orientation. 

• Independent Management: Anticipates what’s ahead: scheduling conflicts, addressing key dates, travel challenges, capacity issues, etc. Independently manages day-to-day operational needs and makes sound decisions without requiring constant direction and before problems become urgent.  

Technical Proficiency

• Software: Experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc and Microsoft Office Suite

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with Slack, Zoom, Canva and project trackers like Notion.

• Administrative Tech: Familiarity with expense reporting (e.g., Expensify) and travel booking platforms.

Additional Details:

Position type: Part-time contract

Reports to: CEO/Executive Director

Coordinates frequently  with: Deputy Director, Head of Programs and Community Impact Facilitator

Hours and location: Part-time, 5 hours a week, remote schedule. Eastern time zone availability required. ONA has office space in Washington, D.C., but the staff works remotely from their homes around the U.S. This role may require some travel to support special events, up to 10%, including some evenings and weekends, providing advance notice of 4+ weeks whenever possible

Rate: $50 to $60 per hour for remote work. $500-$600 flat daily rate for on-site in-person support. (All travel-related expenses are fully covered by ONA.)

How to apply:

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. 

Ready to apply? We’d love to learn more about you and your approach to being an Executive Assistant. Use the form below to submit your application for the Executive Assistant role. You'll be asked a few brief questions and to submit your resume. You will not submit a cover letter; instead, you'll be asked to respond to two questions to help us get to know you and your experience.

Deadline: Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET

About ONA

Founded in 1999, the Online News Association (ONA) is a nonprofit membership organization and the essential hub for adaptive leadership in journalism. We convene and equip changemakers in journalism with the insights, training and connections they need to shape the future of the industry. ONA’s members include journalism professionals in all functions and career stages and a network of supporters across industries, including philanthropy, technology, and academia. ONA offers virtual and in-person programs throughout the year, hosts an annual conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.

ONA is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.