Executive Business Partner at Semafor in Washington, DC

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic, highly organized Executive Business Partner & Office Manager to serve as the operational deputy to Semafor’s Chief Executive Officer, while leading the day-to-day function of our Washington, D.C. headquarters.

This is a dual-function role by design. The person who steps into it will provide high-caliber executive support — managing schedules, driving cross-functional projects, and serving as a trusted extension of leadership — while also ensuring that the physical office operates with the polish, intentionality, and reliability that Semafor’s brand demands.

This role requires a partner who can help maximize executive leverage and bring structure to a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. This person exercises strong judgment, is highly discerning about priorities, and plays an active role in ensuring the CEO’s time is deployed against the highest-impact opportunities. The right candidate will be proactive, solutions-oriented, and deeply comfortable operating in ambiguity. They will help formalize processes and structure, elevate the in-office working experience, and serve as the primary link between executives, internal teams, and external stakeholders.

This position is full-time and based out of Semafor’s Washington, D.C. office.

SCOPE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Support

Direct administrative and strategic support to the Co-Founder & CEO

• Manage and maintain all operational and logistical support for the CEO with precision and excellence.
• Own and optimize the CEO's complex calendar, strategically prioritizing competing demands to maximize executive leverage and focus on the company's highest-impact initiatives.
• Plan and execute complex domestic and international travel, proactively managing itineraries, logistics, and real-time changes to ensure seamless execution.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO and internal leadership, employees, clients, commercial partners, investors, media, and other external stakeholders, fostering trusted relationships and ensuring seamless communication.
• Manage executive workflow by bringing structure to requests, coordinating across stakeholders, and driving timely execution and follow-through.
• Manage internal and external CEO communications through complex inbox maintenance, through inbox management, correspondence drafting, and timely responses on behalf of the CEO.
• Manage cross-functional strategic initiatives and special projects on behalf of the CEO.
• Prepare the CEO for meetings and engagements through research, briefing materials, agenda development, and follow-up execution in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with the executive leadership team to support tasks, ensuring seamless coordination across functions; oversee follow-up actions and ensure milestones and deadlines are met across departments for CEO-driven projects.
• Manage executive expense reporting and administrative records, ensuring accuracy, organization, and timely processing.
• Handle highly confidential information with absolute discretion and sound judgment.
• Maintain organized electronic and hard copy filing systems.
• Build a deep understanding of company priorities, business operations, and strategic initiatives to proactively anticipate executive needs and improve decision-making.
• Represent the CEO and Semafor with professionalism, integrity, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Serve as an ambassador for Semafor’s culture by exhibiting a positive, high-energy, and entrepreneurial mindset.

DC Office Coordination & Partnership Maintenance

The physical office is Semafor’s operational backbone. The office manager is responsible for smooth and effective office operations. As Semafor grows, our physical office increasingly represents the brand to guests, clients, and potential hires.

• Maintain a consistent, collegial working relationship with office leadership and administrative building staff.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the building and office floor. Managing entry, elevator access, and daily front-of-house presence. Serve as the primary point of contact to welcome and host all guests, interviewees, clients, and VIP visitors with polish, warmth, and exceptional hospitality.
• Receive, sort, and distribute all packages and deliveries.
• Manage office supplies, maintaining sufficient levels and anticipating purchasing needs proactively. Manage communications with department heads to ensure each team has adequate office and tech supplies.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional office environment that reflects the company’s brand.
• Serve as the in-office IT liaison: troubleshoot WiFi, printer, and A/V hardware issues as needed; coordinate with external tech vendors; escalate tech issues to external IT support.
• Upgrade in-office branding and visual identity as needed, including desk additions, furniture upgrades, and Semafor-branded materials
• Manage Semafor employee building badges in close coordination with building owner and security, including new hire and guest badge facilitation and lost badge resolution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to welcome and host all guests, clients, and VIP visitors with polish, warmth, and exceptional hospitality.
• Coordinate in-person meeting room reservations and food & beverage arrangements as needed, in direct partnership with building management.

HR & People Operations Support

Serve as the primary in-person point of contact for new employee onboarding, end-to-end.

• Partner directly with HR prior to a new employee’s first day to set up technical equipment and provide support to ensure new hires have all necessary working equipment from day one.
• Support offboarding logistics.
• Maintain HR records and internal documentation as needed.
• Hire and manage Georgetown intern program

**Compensation:**The base salary for this position at the time of posting will range from $65,000.00 - $75,000.00. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility, and qualifications.

Additional job details

Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.