Executive Associate to the Executive Director

About Chelsea Piers 

Chelsea Piers Connecticut brings together sports, fitness, recreation and events in a dynamic destination in Stamford. We create experiences that help people of all ages build skills, connect with others and enjoy active lives.

Our team makes those experiences possible. We value teamwork, hospitality, accountability and a commitment to making someone’s day. Joining Chelsea Piers means working alongside passionate colleagues across a diverse business, with opportunities to contribute ideas, grow professionally and make a meaningful impact on our community.

The Opportunity

Chelsea Piers Connecticut is seeking a highly capable Executive Associate to work directly with and in support of the Executive Director.

This is not a conventional administrative position. It is part executive assistant, part project manager, part analyst and part operational integrator.

The Executive Associate will serve as a trusted extension of the Executive Director, helping manage priorities, representing the Executive Director in meetings when appropriate, driving cross-functional projects, gathering and synthesizing information, and ensuring decisions turn into action.

The Executive Director operates at a fast pace across a complex business spanning sports, fitness, membership, events, hospitality and operations. This person must be able to operate at that same pace, quickly understand what matters, exercise strong judgment and move work forward without waiting to be told what to do next.

The right person will bring structure and clarity to a fast-moving environment without slowing it down.

Compensation: Starting at $80,000 annually; exempt from overtime.

Schedule: Full-time, on-site at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford, CT. Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm, with flexibility required based on business needs.

Primary Responsibilities

Executive Partnership

• Serve as a trusted extension of the Executive Director, developing a strong understanding of priorities, expectations and decision-making approach.
• Anticipate needs, manage competing demands and help distinguish between urgent issues and strategic priorities.
• Exercise sound judgment about what can be handled independently and what requires Executive Director involvement.
• Have the confidence to respectfully push back, challenge assumptions and recommend when priorities need to shift.
• Protect the Executive Director's time and attention, ensuring focus remains on the initiatives that matter most.

Meeting Representation & Follow-Through

• Attend meetings on behalf of the Executive Director when appropriate, actively participating and representing priorities and expectations.
• Ask thoughtful questions, identify gaps, make appropriate decisions within established parameters and recognize when escalation is needed.
• Provide concise meeting readouts covering key discussions, decisions, next steps and items requiring Executive Director attention.
• Track commitments and ensure decisions translate into action, with clear ownership and follow-through.
• Maintain visibility into outstanding questions and commitments across meetings and communications.

Project Management & Execution

• Own and drive key initiatives on behalf of the Executive Director, from initial concept through execution.
• Turn ideas, conversations and strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear owners, timelines, milestones and deliverables.
• Manage cross-functional projects, proactively removing roadblocks, driving decisions and holding project owners accountable.
• Maintain the Executive Director's master project tracker, ensuring clear visibility into priorities, progress, deadlines and outstanding decisions.
• Independently research opportunities, develop initial recommendations and personally execute work when needed to move initiatives forward.
• Establish consistent project management processes that create accountability and improve execution across the organization.

Information, Analysis & Decision Support

• Gather, analyze and synthesize information from across the business to support informed decision-making.
• Prepare concise briefings, business summaries, presentations, feasibility analyses and executive materials.
• Develop an understanding of key business metrics and performance drivers, identifying trends, gaps and opportunities.
• Translate complex issues into clear, decision-ready information with recommended next steps.
• Identify opportunities to improve information flow and reporting across the organization.

Leadership Team & Business Coordination

• Help manage the operating rhythm of the CPCT Leadership Team, including meeting agendas, materials, decisions and follow-up.
• Maintain visibility into major priorities and initiatives across departments, identifying opportunities for better coordination.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and drive alignment, accountability and follow-through without assuming ownership of their departments.
• Ensure Executive Director priorities are communicated, assigned and executed.
• Support cross-functional initiatives and special projects that do not sit clearly within one department.

Executive Office

• Strategically manage the Executive Director's calendar, meeting priorities and scheduling, ensuring time is allocated effectively.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas and materials, and ensure the Executive Director is prepared for important conversations and decisions.
• Draft and manage executive correspondence, presentations, talking points and other communications.
• Coordinate business and personal travel, expense reporting, corporate credit card reconciliation and other executive administrative responsibilities.
• Maintain confidential information and records with exceptional discretion and professionalism.
• Support external relationships, community commitments and strategic partnerships through preparation, coordination and timely follow-up.

Technology & Efficiency

• Build and maintain systems that keep projects, documents, priorities and commitments organized.
• Identify and implement project management tools, dashboards and reporting processes that improve visibility, accountability and execution.
• Leverage technology, including AI tools, to streamline workflows, communication, reporting and executive operations.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency and establish repeatable processes across the Executive Office.

Qualifications

Who You Are

• 4+ years of professional experience, ideally supporting senior executives or working in consulting, project management or business operations.
• Exceptionally organized, detail-oriented and known for outstanding follow-through.
• Highly self-directed, resourceful and comfortable operating with limited instruction.
• Able to move quickly, manage changing priorities and create structure in an evolving environment.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to drive work through completion.
• A confident, concise communicator who can interact effectively with senior leaders and represent an executive professionally.
• Comfortable asking questions, challenging assumptions and offering recommendations.
• Technology-forward, comfortable with AI tools and quick to learn new systems.
• Discreet, highly accountable, comfortable with direct feedback and motivated by getting things done.

What Success Looks Like

• The Executive Director can be in fewer places without losing visibility, momentum or effectiveness.
• Important initiatives move forward with clear ownership, accountability and follow-through.
• Meetings and decisions translate into action without requiring constant Executive Director involvement.
• The Executive Director receives concise, relevant information and maintains a clear view of business priorities and project status.
• The Executive Director spends less time chasing details and more time leading people, developing strategy, building relationships and driving business growth.

Benefits

• Complimenary Chelsea Piers membership 
• Discounts on Chelsea Piers programs for you and your family 
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• FSA account 
• Life insurance, long and short-term disability, and other voluntary benefits 
• 401(k) investment and matching up to $1,000 per year after 1 year of employment 

This position is based at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT

Chelsea Piers is an Equal Opportunity Employer