EXECUTIVE BUSINESS PARTNER

About the Role

The Executive Business Partner to the CEO (EBP) is a highly trusted partner who helps turn vision into execution during a defining chapter for the Museum—its pre-opening, opening, and early growth phases. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who thrives in fast-moving, mission-driven environments and brings clarity, momentum, and follow-through to complex priorities.

Serving as the CEO’s strategic right hand, the EBP blends executive support, operational integration, and cross-functional facilitation to ensure the leadership team operates with focus, alignment, and impact. Working closely with the CEO, the EBP helps optimize executive time, establish an effective business rhythm, and proactively advance key initiatives—enabling the CEO to lead externally while maintaining strong internal execution.

The EBP collaborates closely with the Directors of Operations and Finance, as well as managers and contractors overseeing Facilities, Space Rental, and Visitor Services, helping align work across staff- and contractor-led functions as the Museum prepares to open and grow.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a member of our core team to open the new Palo Alto Museum, building strong engagement, sustainable growth, and meaningful impact.

About the Palo Alto Museum

With a grand opening planned during Spring 2026, the Palo Alto Museum is bringing a historic landmark to life as a 21st century museum. Through dynamic exhibitions, programs, and experiences for all ages, the Museum explores Palo Alto stories that shape our community and the world. Join us as we learn from the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future together.

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Strategic Support

• Serve as a partner to the CEO, translating organizational priorities into executable plans and driving follow-through across complex initiatives
• Build a business rhythm and processes to ensure leadership time is focused on the highest-impact work
• Manage executive logistics (calendar, correspondence, briefings, meetings, events, and speaking engagements)
• Draft, synthesize, and refine executive-level communications, presentations, and reports
• Track progress across priority initiatives, identify risks and dependencies, surface insights, and recommend solutions to maintain momentum
• Anticipate organizational needs, resolve cross-functional coordination challenges, and ensure information flows effectively between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders

High-Level Project & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate and track priority initiatives across departments, ensuring alignment with CEO priorities and organizational goals
• Maintain dashboards, timelines, and status reports using tools to monitor initiative progress (using tools like Airtable or Asana)
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination with leads for Operations, Finance and others as the organization evolves
• Support contract, vendor, and consultant coordination as needed to keep initiatives moving forward

Board, Governance & Executive Communications

• Prepare agendas, briefings, presentations, and reports for Board and committee meetings to support the CEO
• Draft and edit executive communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Museum priorities
• Track Board and committee action items and support effective follow-up
• Support meeting logistics and communications with Board members, honorary chairs, and key advisors

External Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the CEO in cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, civic and community leaders, strategic partners
• Prepare briefings, talking points, and correspondence for external meetings, site visits, and public engagements
• Advance fundraising, partnership, and community engagement through coordinated outreach and follow-through
  

Culture & Organizational Support

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture grounded in shared purpose, respect, professionalism, and accountability
• Support onboarding, alignment, and internal communication to reinforce organizational values
• Design and maintain systems, documentation, and dashboards (strategy, plans, timelines, budgets, metrics) that improve clarity and decision-making
• Support CRM and database documentation, analysis and reporting
  Model professionalism, discretion, and respect in all interactions
• Anticipate organizational needs and help the CEO balance strategic focus with operational execution

Technology & Digital Fluency

• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet)
• Build and manage dashboards and project tracking tools (e.g. Airtable, Asana)
• Familiarity with CRM systems and digital tools supporting donor, board, and partner engagement
• Strong (digital) organization and data stewardship skills, including file management, access controls, and confidential information handling
• Comfortable adopting new tools that enhance executive effectiveness, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant certification a plus
  5+ years supporting senior executives, ideally in mission-driven non-profit, cultural or educational organizations
• Exceptional organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate needs, and operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels
• Strong project management and coordination experience; familiarity with tools, such as Airtable, Asana, or Smartsheet preferred
• High digital fluency, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM systems, and collaboration platforms (Zoom, Slack, etc.)
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Growth-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to learning and continuous improvement
• Enthusiasm for the Museum’s mission and community impact

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $85,000–$115,000 per year, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; professional development opportunities
• Work Environment: Full-time with regular onsite presence in Palo Alto; flexibility for hybrid work (1–2 remote days per week)
• Reports To: CEO

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references to jobs@paloaltomuseum.org.

Be sure to include the job title that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.

The Palo Alto Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and inclusive leadership. The Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Museum will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.