Research Executive Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking an Executive Assistant to support the CEO of National Journal Gravity Group, the President of Gravity Research, the CSO of Gravity Research, and the General Manager of National Journal Membership in Washington, DC. The assistant will need to be exceptionally organized and communicative, a masterful problem-solver, strategic thinker, and a collaborative team player. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic driven by intellectual curiosity, persistence, and tenacity, and will be comfortable supporting high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced, growing organization.
This Executive Assistant is a dynamic role that supports senior leaders in fulfilling their business development, research, and strategic consulting functions within a growing media, research and consulting enterprise. The role will work closely with senior leadership and internal stakeholders on strategic projects, executive outreach, operational priorities, and initiatives that support the continued growth of the business.
National Journal is a premier research and insights company committed to helping organizations effectively navigate Washington. Best known as one of Washington's most trusted media brands for nearly 50 years, our expertise is unmatched with teams of specialists dedicated to government affairs, communications, and political research, in addition to exceptional journalism. Our mission is to equip the thousands of government and business leaders in the nation's capital with the intelligence, insights, and connections they need to save time, increase efficiency, and deliver success.
Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Represent the four executives and the National Journal brand with external parties via email communication, phone calls, and in-person engagements
• Support executive-level outreach and relationship management with senior leaders, clients, prospects, and other key external stakeholders
• Manage and track executive outreach, maintaining accurate records of account details, activities, follow-up items, and contact information
• Work across the company to support executives with workflow, task management, and prioritization
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to report on results, communicate progress, and support the execution of high-priority strategic projects and initiatives
• Anticipate executive priorities and proactively identify opportunities to move projects and business objectives forward
• Manage coordination of schedules and meetings for the CEO of National Journal Gravity Group, the President of Gravity Research, the CSO of Gravity Research, and the General Manager of National Journal Membership
• Coordinate team meetings: prepare agendas, facilitate pre-read documents, take notes, and actuate follow-up items
• Drive follow-through on key decisions and action items by coordinating across stakeholders, tracking progress, and ensuring priorities continue to advance
• Receive and handle confidential information, and maintain confidentiality of private and sensitive information
• Coordinate, draft, and distribute company-wide newsletters and correspondence
• Coordinate knowledge management by creating and maintaining databases and shared drives
• Develop and improve systems for tracking information, stakeholder engagement, and team priorities to increase efficiency and organizational effectiveness
• Identify opportunities to streamline workplace processes and implement creative solutions that improve workflows and systems
• Perform assorted administrative tasks such as expense reconciliation and invoice processing
• Support planning and execution of company events
• Provide support on special projects and strategic initiatives as business needs evolve

Qualifications Of The Ideal Candidate

• Friendly, a self starter, and eager to deliver on customer service. You are passionate about organization, strategy, and efficiency.
• Strong work ethic driven by intellectual curiosity, persistence, and tenacity
• High level organization and time management skills with the ability to be proactive, effectively prioritize tasks and efficiently respond to urgent requests
• Strategic thinker with a track record of finding creative solutions to improve workplace processes and systems
• Strategically minded; you are constantly thinking of creative solutions to improve workplace processes.
• Able to connect day-to-day execution with broader business priorities and proactively identify ways to support senior leaders in achieving their objectives
• Detail-oriented and professional in coordinating schedules, meetings, and tracking dates.
• A problem-solver who is praised for your attention to detail. You live for organization. You find it satisfying to put things into a system - both data on a computer and physical inventory.
• Action-oriented; you have no problem checking off items from your to-do list and are ready to help others when they need it without being directed to do so. You have experience working on projects with little supervision.
• Comfortable taking ownership of ambiguous projects, determining next steps, and driving work forward with limited supervision
• An excellent written and oral communicator; you have excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong executive presence and judgment, with the ability to professionally represent senior leaders and the National Journal brand with internal and external stakeholders
• Creative thinking and resourcefulness in problem-solving
• Flexible and a fast learner; you are willing and able to take on new tasks and successfully execute them
• Prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity
• Collaborative and effective at working across teams and functions to advance shared priorities
• Awareness of and interest in what happens in Washington

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience prioritizing multiple projects
• Experience managing projects, workflows, or stakeholder outreach involving multiple internal and external parties
• A calm, cool, and collected mind-a constitution that affords "grace under fire"-coupled with a personality inclined toward perpetual positivity and kindness
• Ability to adapt and think quickly in an environment of change
• Experience with Google Apps, Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Powerpoint
• Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience: Government Affairs/ Media
• Experience supporting senior executives, strategic initiatives, business development, client engagement, or cross-functional projects

$55,000 - $60,000 a year
The salary range for this role is $55,000-$60,000 (commensurate with experience).
Start Date: Available immediately
Employment Type: Full-time
Location: This job is based in Washington, DC. National Journal operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees required to be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During the month of August 2026, National Journal teams will be fully remote.
About Us
Across National Journal Group, generally, the firm looks for two "pillar gifts" in you, and everyone else. In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions -
Force of Ideas: At the center of National Journal Group work are the ideas within our writing. We believe that ideas - to the good and not - have consequences. Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.
Spirit of Generosity: National Journal Group seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity - a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct. National Journal Group writing should be cut from the same cloth -critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.
National Journal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.