Executive Assistant

Organizational Summary:

Playwrights Horizons is a writer’s theater committed to the advancement of bold and visionary contemporary playwrights. We carry out this mission through the development and production of daring new work and the education of future theatermakers. In a city rich with cultural offerings, Playwrights Horizons’ 55-year-old mission is unique among theaters of its size; the organization has distinguished itself by a steadfast commitment to centering the voice of the playwright. It’s a mission that is always timely, and one that’s necessary in the ongoing evolution of theater in this country. By expanding the U.S. theater canon with a wider range of voices, Playwrights Horizons aims to be a home for the exploration of playwriting and an anti-racist center of curiosity, dialogue, and artistic risk. Reports to:

Managing Director and Artistic Director

Position Summary

Playwrights Horizons, one of the nation's leading homes for the development of new plays and contemporary theater artists, is seeking an Executive Assistant to serve as a trusted partner to our Artistic Director, Adam Greenfield, and Managing Director, Casey York.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on bringing order to complexity, anticipates needs before they arise, and takes genuine pride in helping others do their best work. You'll be at the center of a fast-moving organization, interacting with playwrights, directors, actors, trustees, donors, civic leaders, and colleagues across the institution. Success in this role requires exceptional organization, sound judgment, discretion, warmth, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and grace.

We're looking for someone who enjoys solving logistical puzzles, improving systems and processes, communicating clearly, and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. If you're energized by supporting creative work behind the scenes and want to contribute to an organization where new theater is made every day, we'd love to hear from you.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone interested in building a long-term career in arts administration at a collaborative and mission-driven organization. Playwrights Horizons is committed to developing talent from within, and we take pride in creating opportunities for staff to grow and take on new leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Executive Support

Serve as the primary administrative partner to the Artistic Director and Managing Director, helping them manage competing priorities and make the best use of their time.

Draft, edit, and refine emails, letters, memos, presentations, and other communications with professionalism, accuracy, and attention to tone.

Manage complex calendars and email in-boxes, coordinate meetings, and arrange travel and appointments while exercising excellent judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.

Coordinate travel, theater ticketing, and festival itineraries for the Artistic Director, while thoughtfully welcoming playwrights, directors, artists, and other guests to Playwrights Horizons for meetings and conversations.

Prepare reports, briefing materials, presentations, and other documents to support executive decision-making.

Track and reconcile expenses, prepare monthly expense reports, and maintain accurate administrative records.

Serve as a welcoming and professional point of contact for artists, trustees, donors, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Help improve administrative workflows and systems, identifying opportunities to make processes more efficient and effective across the organization.

Perform a wide range of administrative duties—including printing, mailing, filing, scanning, and document management—and provide project support across departments as organizational priorities evolve.

Board & Governance Support

Partner with the Board Liaison to coordinate the logistics of Board of Trustees and committee meetings, both virtual and in person.

Support the Board Liaison in their work to prepare meeting materials, coordinate room set-up and technology, and ensure meetings run smoothly from start to finish.

Attend Board and committee meetings, record accurate minutes, draft follow-up correspondence, and maintain governance records with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.

Take on additional projects and responsibilities as assigned in support of the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and the broader organization.

Qualifications:

A passion for theater, artists, and the live performing arts.

Prior experience as an executive assistant, administrative assistant, coordinator, or in a comparable role requiring exceptional organization, judgment, and attention to detail.

Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with the ability to juggle competing priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Exceptional written communication skills, including strong drafting, copy editing, and proofreading abilities.

Excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine hospitality mindset—you enjoy making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for, whether greeting a playwright for a meeting, corresponding with a trustee, or coordinating with colleagues across the organization.

Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and integrity.

Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.

An interest in improving systems and processes, with a natural curiosity about finding more effective ways of working.

A proactive, solutions-oriented work style with the confidence to anticipate needs, manage up, and take initiative without waiting to be asked.

Comfort communicating with and coordinating schedules for people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.

An interest in fundraising, nonprofit management, or arts administration is a plus.

Comfortable working in a hybrid environment, with the ability to work at least three days per week in our Midtown Manhattan office and attend evening Board meetings, productions, and occasional weekend events as needed.



Compensation, Benefits and Travel:

Benefits:

Playwrights Horizons is committed to supporting the well-being of its staff and offers a comprehensive benefits package including 10 days (two weeks) of vacation, four personal days, 10 sick days, and many paid Holiday office closures. Employees have access to individual medical, dental, and vision coverage, with various plan options available through Oxford Health Plans. Playwrights Horizons partially subsidizes health and dental insurance and provides vision insurance at no charge to employees. Our benefits package further includes life insurance policy, a 403b retirement plan, and flexible spending accounts for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses. Other perks include an employee assistance provider (EAP), health reimbursement account, pre-tax transit benefits for transportation expenses, and complimentary and staff-rate tickets to our productions. Travel:

Playwrights Horizons currently operates on a hybrid-work schedule, requiring a minimum of three (3) days per week on site. Additionally, this role includes occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel in support of events, productions, donor engagement, and the organization’s broader community. Salary:

The salary range for this position is between $50,000-$55,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Values Statement:

Playwrights Horizons is committed to building a more just future for everyone by employing a broad spectrum of voices that will enrich the quality and vitality of our work. Playwrights Horizons is an equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to uprooting all systems of oppression by demonstrative equitable and inclusive practices.

The organization is interested in receiving applications from people of all races, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, classes, religions, and people with disabilities.

The facilities at Playwrights Horizons are fully accessible and ADA compliant. To Apply:

Please submit your application materials to our portal HERE. No phone calls please. Full link to application; https://form.asana.com/?k=i3xi1a-lQMIFwqahYbQzzw&d=17022989146991 Priority Consideration Deadline: Friday, August 7, 2026 (applications received by this date will be reviewed first and guaranteed equal consideration). After August 7th applications will be accepted but considered only on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We expect first round interviews to occur in late August. Semi-finalists will meet with Casey York, Managing Director and another team member, approximately mid September with a final round aiming to be in late September with members of the senior staff including Artistic Director Adam Greenfield. An offer is expected to be made by early October with an ideal start date of October 19, 2026.