Human Resources Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Cascade Asset Management Company ("Cascade") is proud to protect and grow capital in service of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation Trust in support of their mission-related and philanthropic activities. Mr. Gates and the Foundation Trust are committed to creating a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.

Located in the Seattle area, Cascade applies its fundamental, long-horizon investment approach across asset classes and geographies, primarily through direct investing, as well as through a select group of funds and segregated accounts. Cascade offers the unique blend of being part of a team that manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio while also working with professionals in a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and respect.

Human Resources Team Overview

Led by the Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO") and Head of Talent & Business Partnerships ("HTBP"), The Human Resources team at Cascade serves as a trusted advisor throughout the organization, working in close partnership with senior leadership to integrate Cascade's human capital strategy into everyday management and decision-making. This collaborative approach ensures that decisions involving people are consistently aligned with the organization's business priorities and actively support Cascade's overarching mission and objectives.

The HR team plays a vital role in shaping organization-wide policies and practices related to talent acquisition, employee performance, professional development, and overall organizational effectiveness. By focusing on these key areas, the team helps to foster a culture that promotes continuous improvement, supports individual and collective growth, and ensures that Cascade remains well-positioned to achieve its strategic goals.

Position Description

The Executive Assistant ("EA") will report directly to the CHRO and HTBP, providing comprehensive administrative and operational assistance. In this pivotal role, the EA is critical to enabling the CHRO and HTBP to operate efficiently, maintaining strong organizational communication, and supporting key people initiatives across the organization. The successful candidate will be proactive, exceptionally detail-oriented, and highly organized, excelling in dynamic environments characterized by ambiguity, frequent changes, and shifting priorities. Professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive matters are essential for success in this position.

In addition to primary responsibilities, this role will actively provide support to the broader HR team, providing valuable assistance on a variety of projects and initiatives. The incumbent will also cultivate strong professional relationships with other Executive Assistants throughout the organization, fostering effective communication and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support:

• Support daily operations for the CHRO and HTBP by proactively managing and prioritizing requests, communications and information flow enabling them to stay prepared and focused.
• Schedule and organize meetings, manage complex calendars, and oversee meeting logistics for CHRO and HTBP.
• Handle all administrative tasks such as HR contracts, invoices, expense reporting, and preparation of confidential information or documents as needed.
• Anticipate and support follow-up actions stemming from CHRO and HTBP meetings and communications.
• Independently manage tasks and responsibilities, ensuring assignments are completed efficiently and accurately with minimal need for additional guidance or reminders.
• Proactively anticipate needs, taking ownership of follow-through on actions, and reliably closing the loop on outstanding items.
• Uphold the highest level of professionalism and discretion when dealing with sensitive information including, but not limited to, employee relations, compensation, and organizational changes.

Operational, Program, and Project Support:

• Prepare and assist in drafting Org-wide communications, working closely with other HR team members to brainstorm tone and messaging. Provide reliable back-up support for Org-wide employee communications and Athena (Cascade's intranet) management to ensure timely and effective dissemination of information to employees.
• Prepare and assist in drafting thoughtful, concise, and compelling communications and meeting materials for the CHRO and HTBP. This includes, but is not limited to, creating agendas, developing PowerPoint presentations, and preparing follow-up documents to ensure meetings are well-organized and objectives are clearly communicated.
• Proactively support HR programmatic initiatives and systems for CHRO, HTBP, HR Business Partners, and Benefits and Operations Managers.
• Assist with general day-to-day operations of the HR team including planning team events and logistics.
• Offer feedback and suggestions as appropriate to drive continuous HR operational improvement.
• Expand knowledge base to support employees with HR-related questions and/or re-route inquiries as needed.
• Provides reliable back-up support for the Recruiting Coordinator, ensuring continuity in recruitment processes and assisting with related tasks as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a professional point of contact between the CHRO and HTBP and internal leaders, employees, and external partners.
• Build strong relationships across the organization, especially with the other Executive Assistants, to facilitate strong communication and cross-functional alignment.
• Ensure timely and effective communication and coordination across the HR team.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as reasonably assigned to ensure the smooth operation and ongoing success of HR initiatives and team functions. These responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs and priorities, requiring flexibility and a collaborative approach to support the CHRO, HTBP, and broader HR team.

Skills and Qualifications

• 5-10+ years of experience providing executive-level support, ideally to a CHRO or HR leadership team.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), including creating executive-level PowerPoint presentations. Experience with SharePoint and Dynamics a plus.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with a commitment to maintaining data quality, integrity, and accuracy.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion and confidentiality, demonstrating high ethical standards.
• Undergraduate degree in relevant field is preferred.
• Strong judgment and creative problem-solving abilities, especially when navigating ambiguity.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to swiftly prioritize, multi-task and execute against timelines and competing priorities
• Ability to cultivate strong relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels across the organization.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for understanding business objectives, identifying solutions, and driving process improvements.

$110,000 - $120,000 a year

Cascade is committed to paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. Base salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple reasons, including but not limited to relevant experience, knowledge, education, and degree to which a candidate meets the role requirements, current business needs, and market factors. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position will generally be between $110,000 to $120,000 per year, but the final salary offered may be outside this range based on these reasons and individual circumstances. Additionally, base salary is only part of the total compensation package as we believe that our employees are the reason for our success, and in recognition of their contributions, eligible employees may participate in a generous annual performance-based discretionary bonus program.

Cascade is deeply committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions are based on a candidate's or employee's capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Questions regarding accommodation requests due to a disability should be directed to Human Resources.

Upon hire, you are required to present proof of your eligibility to legally work in the U.S.