Executive Assistant/Scheduler

About CRI

The Civilization Research Institute (CRI) is a research center focused on understanding and mitigating catastrophic and existential risk. Our mission is to create and disseminate actionable knowledge and wisdom that is essential for navigating the metacrisis, and to undertake research into viable future forms for global civilization. Our work spans technology, governance, ecological tipping points, financial systems, civilization theory, and societal sense‑making. The work requires analytical rigor, systems thinking, and cross‑disciplinary fluency. We operate in a high‑trust, low‑ego environment where clarity, integrity, and long‑term thinking are essential.

If you’d like a quick overview of our work, this video with our Executive Director, Daniel Schmachtenberger, is a good place to start.

About the Role

The Executive Assistant is responsible for managing the Executive Director’s complex calendar. This role is central to ensuring that the Executive Director’s time, attention, and focus are aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities. The ideal candidate brings outstanding judgment, warmth, precision, and diplomacy to every interaction.

Location & Reporting

• This is a full-time, on-site role based out of Asheville, NC.
• The role will report to the Executive Director.

What You’ll Own

• Manage and maintain the Executive Director’s high-volume calendar, including meetings, donor cultivation, partner outreach, speaking engagements, travel, and strategic work time.
• Ensure meeting participants are prepared with clear agendas and other relevant context.
• Manage travel logistics including flights, hotels, ground transportation, and itineraries.
• Adjust plans in real time to accommodate changing schedules and priorities.
• Anticipate scheduling challenges and bring proposed solutions to the executive office team in a proactive and well-considered way.
• Review, prioritize, and respond to meeting requests based on organizational priorities, urgency, relationship needs, and the Executive Director’s availability.
• Prepare daily and weekly briefing materials for the Executive Director, including meeting agendas, attendee information, organizational background, relevant correspondence, logistics, and follow-up items.

What Makes This Role Special

• You will directly enable the Executive Director to focus on the relationships and decisions that advance the organization’s mission.
• You will help shape how leadership time is allocated, ensure critical commitments are honored, and bring clarity to a fast-moving set of priorities.
• Your judgment, discretion, and ability to anticipate needs will make a difference in helping the Executive Director lead effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a high volume, complex calendar as an Executive Assistant or similar administrative role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to convey warmth while being precise and thorough.
• Obsessive attention to detail and organization, with a natural disposition toward checklists, systems, and keeping good order.
• Responsive and comfortable operating with urgency.
• Willingness to work flexible, irregular hours, including some evenings and weekends to facilitate team collaboration and address timely scheduling needs.

What We Offer

• Mission‑Driven Culture – Work alongside collaborative, values‑aligned colleagues tackling some of humanity’s most complex challenges.
• Health & Wellness Support – Access to wellness resources designed to support your physical and mental well‑being.
• Professional Growth & Development – Employees receive mentorship from senior leaders and the opportunity to take on meaningful projects that support continuous learning and career advancement.
• Competitive Compensation – The starting compensation is competitive and will depend on a variety of factors that include experience, education, training, certification, and location. We do not currently cap salary ranges because we value team members growing in their roles over time.
• Flexible Benefits – Full-time employees are offered flexible benefits to support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our team members.
• On-site Headquarters Perks:
  • Community events like team dinners and hikes
  • Coffee/tea station with a variety of tinctures and powders and a fully stocked pantry full of healthy snacks
  • Organic, plant-based lunches and dinners prepared by in-house chef multiple times per week
  • Specialized healing equipment open to all employees (e.g., sauna, red light therapy, AI deep tissue massage machine)
  • Bring your dog to work