Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) drives day-to-day operational excellence across Detroit’s service-delivery departments, ensuring that city government is efficient, resident-centered, and accountable. The COO oversees major operational units—spanning infrastructure, public services, mobility, facilities, sanitation, and critical field operations—and works across departments to deliver reliable, high-quality services to all Detroiters. The office plays a central role in aligning operations with Mayor Sheffield’s priorities: equitable service delivery, neighborhood-level responsiveness, transparency, and a government that meets residents where they are.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer provides high-level administrative, operational, and strategic support to ensure the COO’s office runs smoothly and effectively. This role manages the COO’s complex schedule, prioritizes daily information flow, prepares briefings and presentations, and ensures that deliverables from departments and senior staff are completed on time and aligned with the administration’s priorities. The Executive Administrative Assistant acts as an extension of the COO—anticipating needs, coordinating cross-departmental communication, and helping guide the COO’s focus toward Detroit’s most urgent and impactful operational challenges. The role requires exceptional judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly sensitive environment where reliability, discretion, and professionalism are essential.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Support the COO’s efforts to modernize city operations and strengthen service delivery in every neighborhood
Ensure communication, scheduling, and operational workflows reflect the administration’s commitment to resident-centered service
Help coordinate major operational initiatives tied to blight reduction, sanitation, mobility, infrastructure, parks, and public spaces
Strengthen follow-through and accountability across operational departments aligned with the Mayor’s priorities
Assist in the COO’s efforts to drive cross-departmental collaboration and problem solving
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Manage the COO’s high-volume calendar, prioritizing time, commitments, and operational demands with sound judgment
Coordinate briefing materials, agendas, talking points, and reports to ensure the COO is well prepared for meetings, site visits, public events, and internal discussions
Track deadlines, deliverables, and follow-up items from departments, ensuring timely handoff and accountability
Serve as a key communication hub between the COO, senior leadership, department heads, and external partners
Prepare presentations, internal memos, summaries, and executive-level documents that support the COO’s priorities
Monitor ongoing city operational initiatives and assist in organizing information for quick decision-making
Anticipate needs and proactively identify scheduling, briefing, or operational gaps that may impact the COO’s effectiveness
Support the planning and execution of high-level meetings, operational check-ins, neighborhood visits, and cross-departmental gatherings
Maintain records, files, and administrative systems to support operational clarity and continuity
Handle sensitive information with the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism
Assist in onboarding new staff, contractors, or partners interfacing with the COO’s office
Provide overall administrative and logistical support to ensure daily operations of the COO’s office run smoothly
Qualifications:
At least five years of executive-level administrative or operational support experience, preferably in government, public-sector, or fast-paced executive environments
Strong knowledge of Detroit’s neighborhoods, city departments, and municipal service landscape preferred
Demonstrated ability to manage complex schedules, high-stakes logistics, and competing priorities with confidence and discretion
Exceptional writing, editing, and document-preparation skills
Experience preparing briefing materials, presentations, summaries, and executive communications
Strong project-management skills with the ability to track deadlines and manage follow-through
High emotional intelligence and ability to work with diverse teams, department heads, union partners, and community stakeholders
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities
Strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential information
Commitment to equity, transparency, resident-centered service, and the values of the Sheffield Administration
Rate of Pay: $61,472-$92,028 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.