SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

REPORTS TO: 1. CEO & Founder, and 2. Incoming President

DEPARTMENT: Executive

FLSA STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 12, 2026

ABOUT LA COCINA

La Cocina is a nationally recognized nonprofit incubator and multilingual community mental health institute that leads with healing-centered care and integrates evidence-based practices, community organizing, and social justice values. We are a “teaching clinic” where multilingual clinicians, advocates, and community-based organization (CBO) leaders grow alongside community partners. Through our co-design incubator, La Cocina develops original, culturally affirming interventions that respond directly to the lived realities of the families we serve. Every program, supervision structure, and service offered at La Cocina is designed to meet urgent community needs and to prepare the next generation of community-based providers, advocates, and leaders to practice with cultural humility, compassion, and liberatory intent.

THE OPPORTUNITY

La Cocina is seeking a highly skilled Senior Executive Assistant to join our Executive Office and support the CEO & Founder and the incoming President during a pivotal period of organizational growth and transition. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned administrative professional who thrives at the intersection of executive operations, relationship stewardship, and mission-driven work.

La Cocina’s Senior Executive Assistant plays a vital role in ensuring that the agency’s executives are able to lead strategically—with clarity, presence, and heart. As the first point of coordination for the Executive Office, this role requires exceptional judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to anticipate needs within a fast-paced, multilayered environment. The ideal candidate is grounded, proactive, technologically adept, and deeply aligned with La Cocina’s mission and values.

This role is both operational and relational: managing complex calendars, coordinating communications across multiple internal and external stakeholders, supporting Board of Directors–related processes, and strengthening the administrative systems that uphold the Executive Office. For the right candidate, this position offers the chance to support visionary leadership, contribute to organizational excellence, and help steward a thriving, culturally affirming innovation incubator for social and emotional support.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in a senior administrative or Executive Assistant role supporting high-level executives within a fast-paced, mission-driven, or complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated excellence in executive-level administrative management, including calendar oversight, communications coordination, and task/project tracking and execution, with a proven ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities without dropped details.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft professional correspondence, prepare polished materials, and represent the Executive Office with professionalism, warmth, and seamless attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including Board members, funders, community partners, administrative staff, and program teams.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and digital organizational tools, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and executive systems. Expertise with Monday.com preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and engage in proactive problem-solving within a dynamic, multilayered environment.
• Experience supporting externally facing leaders—preferably in Development, fundraising, community engagement, philanthropy, or public-facing roles.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, including with the Communications & Development Manager, the Office Manager, and administrative staff without duplicating operational responsibilities.
• Strong alignment with La Cocina’s mission, values, and community-centered approach to social and emotional health and culturally affirming practices.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends based on Executive Office needs.
• Ability to travel between La Cocina’s Denver and Northern Colorado offices, and, rarely, to accompany the CEO & Founder on out-of-town engagements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ACEA® certification (or equivalent advanced executive assistant training).
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English strongly preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high-level administrative partnership to the organization’s top executives: the CEO & Founder and the incoming President, ensuring seamless coordination of executive priorities, communications, and workflows.
• Manage complex calendars, scheduling, and communications for both executives, including Board of Directors logistics and follow-up.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including Board members, funders, philanthropic partners, and community collaborators.
• Prepare, edit, and organize executive-facing materials—including correspondence, presentations, reports, and talking points—for internal and external engagements.
• Support the CEO & Founder’s external portfolio by coordinating funder meetings, philanthropic activities, special events, national presentations, and Development-related activities.
• Work closely with the Communications & Development Manager to produce polished dissemination materials that elevate La Cocina’s visibility and influence.
• Coordinate travel logistics, itineraries, reimbursements, and related documentation for both executives, with rare travel required for event support.
• Maintain executive files, systems, and tracking tools to ensure timely follow-through on tasks, deadlines, and strategic priorities.
• Simultaneously manage multiple executive priorities with exceptional attention to detail, using proactive communication and anticipatory planning to keep complex workflows moving forward.
• Anticipate executive needs and proactively problem-solve to ensure that deadlines, relationships, and strategic priorities remain on track.
• Uphold strict confidentiality, professionalism, and alignment with La Cocina’s mission and values in all interactions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This is a full-time position with the option to work remotely one day per week, except when Executive Office needs require additional on-site availability.
• The Senior Executive Assistant may work from either La Cocina’s Northern Colorado or Denver office as a home base. Regardless of their primary location, the role requires regular travel—one to two times per week—between the two offices to support Executive Office responsibilities and maintain alignment across sites.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability is required based on program and organizational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of the role. While performing job duties, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively, both in person and via digital platforms. The role may involve standing, walking, and using hands to handle or feel tools and equipment. Ability to occasionally lift office supplies up to 20 pounds is required.

CLASSIFICATION & BENEFITS

• This is a full-time, exempt position eligible for benefits after 60-days of employment.
• Benefits include a 401(k) plan with employer match, health/vision/dental insurance, paid time off (PTO), FlexTime, and three weeks of annual office closures in July and at year-end.
• May be eligible for relocation costs reimbursement.

SALARY RANGE: $65,000 to $85,000 ANNUALLY

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $65,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY & DEADLINE

Submit cover letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé through this application portal.

Only complete applications (cover letter & CV/resume) will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.