Senior Administrative Assistant / Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, named PR Week’s Large Agency of the Year for 2004, and the Holmes Report’s Best Large Agency to Work For in 2006, is one of the world’s leading independent multiservice public relations firms. The ideas, customs, interests and traditions that make up Waggener Edstrom's culture are the result of the contributions of the more than 800 employees. Over the past 25 years, our commitment to Innovation Communications has driven the way we deliver value to people who influence opinion in the marketplace and - through our insight, influence and sheer passion - has propelled our innovative clients to the forefront of their industries. With roots in technology, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide’s Global Practices now encompass Consumer Marketing, Corporate Communications, Environment, Healthcare, Public Affairs and Technology.

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide is a global agency, headquartered in Seattle with wholly-owned offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Dallas, Hong Kong, London, Munich, New York City, Paris, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore and Washington, D.C., and affiliates in nine other markets.

Our services include strategic communications, crisis counseling, press release production, translation, media relations and training, news monitoring, event management and direct marketing.

The company is committed to hiring and developing the talents of the best and brightest and ensures that professionals have a working environment that allows them to thrive and rewards creativity and innovation in the craft of communications.

 

 

Senior Administrative Assistant

 

This position will provide support for two intersecting teams: the Microsoft Global Platform and Policy (GP2) team and the Platform Strategy Group (PSG). The GP2 team looks at the impact competitive coverage has on the technology industry and on our clients’ efforts to promote software and services to a range of audiences. The PSG team drives AR and PR around Microsoft's overall platform strategy with a core focus on the company's commitment to the developer, partner and customer ecosystems, and on building out its community engagement efforts. Both teams are on the forefront of the next big platform evolution at Microsoft, working on PR initiatives around next generation technology offerings that will change the way people use technology. Our focus is on global outreach strategy, including non-traditional influentials such as bloggers, academia and digital communications. This position supports the team efforts in responding to client needs and for implementing a proactive PR campaign that highlights platform strengths to businesses and partners. This is a ground floor opportunity in a high profile business, offering the opportunity to work closely with a highly interdependent team. We're a tight knit, smart, fun, and creative group – so if you are looking for a team focused on excellence, committed to client delight and passionate about the cutting edge, next generation PR, then this position is for you!

 

Responsibilities:

•Provide a high level of strategic, thoughtful support to a team, prioritizing the needs of the team lead(s)

• Understand the agency’s business and how the team’s priorities fit into larger agency business goals

• Proactive – take the initiative in support of the team’s needs

• Maintain high level of customer service (both to internal and external clients)

• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of support role

• Leadership/mentorship role with other administrative team members

• Act as liaison between senior team members, organizations, internal and external clients and media

• Responsible for researching relevant or industry specific data/information and drafting/composition of reports and memos. Edit documents as requested. Frequently develop or write correspondence on behalf of team. Create and format documents and presentations electronically

• Screen incoming calls, correspondence and interoffice materials; determine priority and respond appropriately.

• Manage the calendars of senior team leads

• Process other senior team members’ e-mail as requested

• May process senior team members’ expense reports

• Errands for business reasons as needed and appropriate

• Coordinate shipping for daily Federal Express packages and oversee faxing projects

• Manage logistics for team travel, client meetings and activities, and teleconferences

• Keep appropriate team/client files and records as requested to ensure completeness, historical accuracy and easy retrieval of information. Responsible for central filing system, including hard copy and electronic, in accordance with agency guidelines.

• Own and/or coordinate client and/or team budget, including summarization, running/interpreting reports and in some cases, projecting expenditures

 

Qualifications:

Education:  High school education with a preference of an additional two to four years of university and/or trade school, or other administrative training in business, office administration or secretarial services

 

Experience preferred • Five to seven years equivalent level of experience, preferably in a similarly fast-paced and demanding environment • Ability to accurately keyboard at 60+ wpm • Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is required • Ability to be objective and discreet with sensitive information • Ability to delegate appropriately • Ability to demonstrate a high degree of professionalism • Ability to work in a team setting with diverse personalities • Ability to work independently with little to no supervision • Basic math ability • Excellent grammatical, editing and proofreading skills • Excellent organizational and prioritization skills • Possess excellent oral/written and interpersonal communication skills  • Strong sense of professional savvy and ability to exercise accordingly • Working knowledge of office and administrative procedures, including office machines and computer hardware/software

 

How to Apply: Waggener Edstrom Worldwide believes its people are its greatest asset. The company offers outstanding professional development and competitive compensation and benefits. Please submit your resume via our website at www.WaggenerEdstrom.com/careers Job 3273