Assistant, Operations & Administration

About Salzburg Global 

Salzburg Global is where open-minded leaders from around the world gather for breakthrough conversations on pressing global issues. Since 1947, our programs have worked to overcome barriers and open up a world of better possibilities – creating spaces where divergent voices can address the big challenges of our time. We have gathered over 40,000 Fellows from 173 countries for more than 1,100 sessions that change the conversation on the pressing issues of our time. That very first session brought together over 100 young Europeans and Americans – including veterans of the French resistance, survivors of Nazi concentration camps, prisoners of war, and former enemies. They met at Schloss Leopoldskron, an Austrian palace that had been occupied by the Nazis in a country that was still under Allied military occupation. They wrestled with how diverse and fractured groups of people could come together and start creating the conditions for peace in the aftermath of World War II. Seventy-seven years later, the challenges may be different, but our mission still carries that same founding spirit: to overcome barriers and open up a world of better possibilities. 

Our Impact 

Salzburg Global has been at the forefront of major global movements for change since 1947. Sometimes called a “Marshall Plan for the Mind” in its early years, Salzburg Global began as a world-renowned center for post-war reconciliation through intellectual and cultural exchange. In the 1950s, Salzburg Global internationalized the emerging interdisciplinary field of American Studies and promoted educational and scientific exchange across the Iron Curtain. In the 1960s and 1970s, Salzburg Global helped to catalyze and professionalize the civil society sector in Eastern Europe, develop and internationalize the emerging field of sustainable urban design and was among the first organizations to support the concept of “climate migration”. In the 1980s and 1990s, Salzburg Global convened one of the first global collaborations on HIV/AIDS research, laid the groundwork for the Good Friday Agreement that ended hostilities in Northern Ireland, supported the redesign of higher education systems in post-Apartheid South Africa, and partnered with reform-minded universities in Eastern European and the former Soviet Union to transform post-communist higher education institutions.

In the 2000s, Salzburg Global launched the first global movements for patient-centered healthcare and patient safety, inspired the creation of the “One Health” movement on human and animal health, and engaged educators in more than 50 countries in the first globally diverse Holocaust Education and Genocide Prevention program. More recently, Salzburg Global has helped to catalyze the development of global pandemic response metrics, supported the launch of Karanga – The Global Alliance for Social and Emotional Learning and the National Parks Cities Movement, and Sciana: The European Health Leaders Network. 

We are supported by a combination of institutional partnerships, generous individual donations and revenue generated from our social enterprise, Schloss Leopoldskron. 

We seek to be an exemplary international institution in terms of equity and environmental sustainability. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in our work. 

About the Position 

Salzburg Global is looking for a highly organized quick learner with an international outlook and experience to serve as Assistant, Operations and Administration. This position reports directly to the Deputy CEO & Managing Director, Programs (DPTYCEO) and Managing Director, Operations and Organizational Development (MDOOD). The position plays a crucial role in facilitating effective planning and communication between Salzburg's international offices, external partners, and new contacts.  

The ideal candidate has strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. They should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and possess excellent intercultural communication skills. This role requires someone who is proactive, adaptable, and able to maintain confidentiality while supporting senior leadership. 

The position is based at Schloss Leopoldskron, home of Salzburg Global in Salzburg, Austria. 

Responsibilities Include

Reports To: Deputy CEO & Managing Director, Programs and Managing Director, Operations and Organizational Development. 

Administrative and Operational Support 

• Coordinate complex calendars, schedule appointments, and organize travel plans for DPTYCEO and MDOOD, ensuring effective time management. 

• Conduct diverse research tasks to support decision-making and strategic planning. 

• Support the planning and implementation of a range of events and multi-day meetings.  

• Provide administrative support to senior management, including drafting correspondence, preparing meeting materials, and managing communication flows. 

• Take meeting notes and ensure timely distribution of key takeaways and action items. 

• Maintain and update relevant database entries, ensuring data accuracy and easy access. 

• Regularly meet with DPTYCEO and MDOOD to review calendars, prioritize projects, and track deadlines. 

• Collaborate closely with the Office of the President to support the logistics of board meetings and other special events. 

• Collaborate with our international offices to facilitate effective communication and operational alignment. 

• Identify opportunities for process improvement in administrative and operational workflows. 

• Provide additional administrative and operational support as needed. 

Qualifications 

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with a high level of attention to detail. 

• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. 

• Proven experience in operations and administrative support, preferably as an executive assistant or in a similar role supporting senior management. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and commitment to working collaboratively as part of a team. 

• High level of discretion and total respect for confidentiality when dealing with senior management. 

• Fluency in both spoken and written English; German skills are an advantage. 

• High level of proficiency in MS Office Tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with database management. 

• Flexibility, adaptability, and a proactive approach to operational challenges. 

Benefits 

• Competitive annual starting salary of EUR 28,000. 

• Modest relocation package will be offered for candidates outside of Salzburg. 

• Standard Austrian benefits include health insurance, pension contributions, sick pay, and 25 days of annual leave. 

• Salzburg Global-specific perks include free daily staff lunch, annual staff social events, special rates for Schloss Leopoldskron, and discounts to local tourism attractions. 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references. 

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.