Executive Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Mayor

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 Deputy Mayor supports the day-to-day execution of the Mayor’s agenda and ensures that key initiatives, operational priorities, and resident-focused strategies move forward across all departments. The office serves as a central coordination hub, aligning policy direction, cross-departmental workflows, and executive decision-making to advance the Sheffield Administration’s goals of equity, transparency, and strong neighborhood-based governance. Working closely with senior leadership, department heads, and community-facing divisions, the office ensures that Detroiters experience efficient, accountable, and people-centered government services.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Executive Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Mayor provides high-level administrative, logistical, and strategic support to one of the most important executive roles in city government. This position ensures that the Deputy Mayor’s time, attention, and decision-making capacity are focused on the administration’s priorities by managing scheduling, briefing preparation, interdepartmental communication, follow-through on initiatives, and seamless daily operations. The role requires a deeply organized, anticipatory, and trusted professional who can manage sensitive information, coordinate across complex departments, and ensure that the Deputy Mayor is equipped, prepared, and positioned for success in every meeting, event, and public-facing obligation. The position plays a key role in advancing the administration’s commitment to resident-centered service delivery by ensuring clarity, alignment, and accountability across all engagements associated with the Deputy Mayor.

This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:

  • Ensure the Deputy Mayor’s calendar, priorities, and engagements are aligned with the administration’s resident-centered, equity-driven agenda

  • Support the Deputy Mayor in coordinating cross-departmental initiatives that improve city services and neighborhood-level outcomes

  • Strengthen communication, follow-through, and accountability systems that ensure resident needs and interdepartmental commitments are monitored and completed

  • Ensure seamless briefing preparation, documentation, and information flow to support high-quality decision-making

  • Help maintain government efficiency by anticipating operational needs, identifying scheduling conflicts, and improving executive workflow

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 Deputy Mayor’s daily schedule, prioritizing engagements that advance the administration’s policy and operational goals

  • Prepare, coordinate, and quality-check briefing materials, meeting packets, talking points, and follow-up documents

  • Ensure all departments deliver timely and complete materials for the Deputy Mayor’s review, including policy memos, operational updates, and briefing documents

  • Track commitments, deadlines, and follow-through from meetings, ensuring unresolved items remain visible and actionable

  • Coordinate communication between the Deputy Mayor’s office, City departments, community partners, and the Mayor’s Office

  • Support logistics for meetings, site visits, community events, and executive sessions

  • Manage incoming requests, inquiries, and correspondence and ensure appropriate routing, prioritization, and response

  • Maintain accurate records, filing systems, and confidential executive documents

  • Prepare presentations, internal communications, and materials for executive and interdepartmental meetings

  • Anticipate operational needs, identify opportunities to improve workflow, and propose solutions that increase efficiency

  • Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion in all interactions

  • Represent the Deputy Mayor’s Office in communications with senior leaders, external partners, and community stakeholders as needed

Qualifications: 

  • Experience supporting senior executives, elected officials, or high-level public-sector leaders

  • Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment

  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise briefing materials and written correspondence

  • Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism

  • Knowledge of municipal operations, executive-level workflows, and public-sector administrative processes

  • Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with City departments, community partners, and external stakeholders

  • Proficiency in office technology, scheduling systems, presentation tools, and document-management platforms

  • Experience working in Detroit or with Detroit-based organizations is strongly preferred

  • Commitment to equity, resident-centered service, and the values of the Sheffield Administration

Rate of Pay:   $61,472-$92,028, 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.

APPLY HERE

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Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff