Hardee's
Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of the CEO
Hardee's, Franklin, Tennessee, United States, 37064
Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of The Ceo
The Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of the CEO is a strategic partner and operational leader responsible for driving alignment, execution, and communication across the organization. This role supports the CEO primarily but will serve in a leadership capacity with various projects and initiatives for the leadership team and on behalf of the organization as a whole. This role will be responsible for ensuring the CEO's priorities are advanced through effective planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement. The Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of the CEO serves as a key liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, owning high-impact initiatives, managing executive communications, and orchestrating events that reinforce company culture and strategic direction. Essential Functions May perform any or all of the following duties: Calendar, Travel & Meeting Management Coordinate and maintain the CEO's daily calendar, prioritizing appointments, and managing last-minute schedule changes with flexibility and professionalism. Schedule and organize all domestic and international travel arrangements, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and itineraries. Coordinate and manage matters for Board members on an as-needed basis. Drive meeting preparation and post-meeting execution, including agenda development, materials/presentation creation, and follow-through on decisions and deliverables. Ensure executives are briefed and prepared for meetings, events, and strategic engagements. Draft and manage internal and external communications on behalf of the CEO and Leadership Team ("LT"). Act as a liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, maintaining trust and transparency. Represent the CEO's office in meetings and initiatives as needed. LT Engagement, Project Management & Organizational Alignment Actively support the broader LT by attending key meetings, capturing action items, and ensuring timely follow-up and accountability across stakeholders. Assist the VP of Strategy in coordinating strategic initiatives across departments, ensuring timely execution and alignment with company goals. Serve as a central point of coordination for executive priorities, helping to align cross-functional efforts and maintain organizational momentum. Foster connectivity and collaboration among senior leaders by streamlining communication, surfacing insights, and identifying opportunities for alignment. Stay informed about organizational dynamics and proactively support initiatives that enhance leadership effectiveness and team cohesion. Event Planning & Internal Engagement Plan and execute high-impact internal events including Town Halls, CEO forums, and leadership offsites. Partner with HR, Communications, and other departments to ensure events reflect company values and strategic priorities. Handle administration activities of the Shining Star Foundation ("SSF") in partnership with the SSF Board. Lead onboarding activities throughout the organization, in partnership with HR. Management and Administration of Board of Directors Meetings (Quarterly) Plan and oversee all logistics related to quarterly Board of Directors meetings. Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, minutes, and relevant documentation in a timely manner. Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO, Board members, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth communication. Arrange meeting venues, technology setup (virtual or in-person), catering, and any other necessary resources. Executive Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Draft and manage internal and external communications on behalf of the CEO and executive team. Act as a liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, maintaining trust and transparency. Represent the CEO's office in meetings and initiatives as needed. Administer Senior-Level Recruitment Activities Coordinate and manage calendars for senior-level hiring processes, including interviews, candidate debriefs, and recruitment strategy sessions. Facilitate timely communication between the CEO, candidates, hiring managers, and external search firms. Ensure smooth logistical arrangements for on-site and virtual interviews, including travel for candidates when applicable. Track and follow up on action items related to the recruitment process to support timely decision-making Position Qualifications/Core Competencies 5+ years of experience in executive support, project management, or strategic operations. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or certifications a plus. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical skills with a bias for action. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint; experience with collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, Asana). Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. High emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization. Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload and recommend changes in office practices or procedures. Must display strong analytical and organizational skills and have the ability to identify and implement process improvement strategies with positive business results Must have a strong work ethic and a high level of confidentiality to ensure proper handling of sensitive information. Work Environment Restaurant Support Center that operates in a fast-paced setting with a high volume of activity and a deadline-driven environment. The role follows a hybrid work model, requiring on-site presence in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Physical Demands Sitting for extended periods of time, using a telephone, typing, and/or operating a computer and/or mouse Travels as needed, approximately ten (10)% The company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position as deemed appropriate with or without notice.
The Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of the CEO is a strategic partner and operational leader responsible for driving alignment, execution, and communication across the organization. This role supports the CEO primarily but will serve in a leadership capacity with various projects and initiatives for the leadership team and on behalf of the organization as a whole. This role will be responsible for ensuring the CEO's priorities are advanced through effective planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement. The Special Projects Manager & Executive Assistant - Office of the CEO serves as a key liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, owning high-impact initiatives, managing executive communications, and orchestrating events that reinforce company culture and strategic direction. Essential Functions May perform any or all of the following duties: Calendar, Travel & Meeting Management Coordinate and maintain the CEO's daily calendar, prioritizing appointments, and managing last-minute schedule changes with flexibility and professionalism. Schedule and organize all domestic and international travel arrangements, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and itineraries. Coordinate and manage matters for Board members on an as-needed basis. Drive meeting preparation and post-meeting execution, including agenda development, materials/presentation creation, and follow-through on decisions and deliverables. Ensure executives are briefed and prepared for meetings, events, and strategic engagements. Draft and manage internal and external communications on behalf of the CEO and Leadership Team ("LT"). Act as a liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, maintaining trust and transparency. Represent the CEO's office in meetings and initiatives as needed. LT Engagement, Project Management & Organizational Alignment Actively support the broader LT by attending key meetings, capturing action items, and ensuring timely follow-up and accountability across stakeholders. Assist the VP of Strategy in coordinating strategic initiatives across departments, ensuring timely execution and alignment with company goals. Serve as a central point of coordination for executive priorities, helping to align cross-functional efforts and maintain organizational momentum. Foster connectivity and collaboration among senior leaders by streamlining communication, surfacing insights, and identifying opportunities for alignment. Stay informed about organizational dynamics and proactively support initiatives that enhance leadership effectiveness and team cohesion. Event Planning & Internal Engagement Plan and execute high-impact internal events including Town Halls, CEO forums, and leadership offsites. Partner with HR, Communications, and other departments to ensure events reflect company values and strategic priorities. Handle administration activities of the Shining Star Foundation ("SSF") in partnership with the SSF Board. Lead onboarding activities throughout the organization, in partnership with HR. Management and Administration of Board of Directors Meetings (Quarterly) Plan and oversee all logistics related to quarterly Board of Directors meetings. Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, minutes, and relevant documentation in a timely manner. Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO, Board members, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth communication. Arrange meeting venues, technology setup (virtual or in-person), catering, and any other necessary resources. Executive Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Draft and manage internal and external communications on behalf of the CEO and executive team. Act as a liaison between executive leadership and internal teams, maintaining trust and transparency. Represent the CEO's office in meetings and initiatives as needed. Administer Senior-Level Recruitment Activities Coordinate and manage calendars for senior-level hiring processes, including interviews, candidate debriefs, and recruitment strategy sessions. Facilitate timely communication between the CEO, candidates, hiring managers, and external search firms. Ensure smooth logistical arrangements for on-site and virtual interviews, including travel for candidates when applicable. Track and follow up on action items related to the recruitment process to support timely decision-making Position Qualifications/Core Competencies 5+ years of experience in executive support, project management, or strategic operations. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or certifications a plus. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical skills with a bias for action. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint; experience with collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, Asana). Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. High emotional intelligence and ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization. Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload and recommend changes in office practices or procedures. Must display strong analytical and organizational skills and have the ability to identify and implement process improvement strategies with positive business results Must have a strong work ethic and a high level of confidentiality to ensure proper handling of sensitive information. Work Environment Restaurant Support Center that operates in a fast-paced setting with a high volume of activity and a deadline-driven environment. The role follows a hybrid work model, requiring on-site presence in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Physical Demands Sitting for extended periods of time, using a telephone, typing, and/or operating a computer and/or mouse Travels as needed, approximately ten (10)% The company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position as deemed appropriate with or without notice.