Executive Assistant To Distinguished Faculty

Summary

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for an Executive Assistant to Distinguished Faculty . This position provides executive-level administrative staff support to the Distinguished Faculty member in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. The position is a key member of the executive staff and plays an integral role in providing efficient and smooth operation of the office, as well as ensuring that academic and administrative information is communicated to faculty, staff, and students of the Wilder School, as well as the larger university community. This position serves as the first point of contact to the Distinguished Faculty and is responsible for making independent, appropriate judgment calls in scheduling appointments, handling confidential calls, data and correspondence, and the coordination of general and highly sensitive academic, fiscal, and administrative information and projects. This position works a minimum of five days a week in person.

The Wilder School's mission is to:

• Engage, teach, and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

T he Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2022 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 38 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 19 in Social Policy, No. 28 in Urban Policy, and No. 34 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/ .

Typical Duties

Liaison for Governor L. Douglas Wilder (60%)

Serves as main point of contact for the Distinguished Faculty, L. Douglas Wilder, with department/school chairs/directors, Provost's office, President's office, VP offices, faculty, staff, students, parents, and other University offices, visitors, and VIPs; and external groups including elected officials and local and national news media.

• Screens visitors and phone calls and apprises the Distinguished Faculty of all matters that require immediate attention.

• Independently responds to verbal, electronic, and written inquiries on behalf of the Distinguished Faculty member using sound judgment and professional discretion.

• Responds to day-to-day inquiries on behalf of the Distinguished Faculty (e.g., requests for information, complaints, clarification of information, etc.) in accordance with knowledge of and in compliance with School/University policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Ensures that parties are referred to appropriate channels for response and follow-up.

• Ensures the confidentiality of information in all office matters - reviews and processes mail using discretionary judgment to respond in a comprehensive and timely manner by gathering additional information as needed.

• Develops and implement procedures for expediting the flow of memoranda and other informational material throughout the Distinguished Faculty office and the Wilder School so that all documents and inquiries are routed through appropriate channels in a timely manner.

Candidates must have the ability to:

• Communicate with internal and external constituencies in support of the Wilder School mission.

• Coordinate and develop correspondence and mass emails for the Distinguished Faculty.

• Serve as a proofreader and make recommendations to improve the content of reports and other written materials.

• Coordinate and prepare drafts of various presentations, materials, and provide weekly reports.

• Collaborate with external audiences and connections (university, state and national) to meet and support the agenda of the Wilder School.

• Assist with special projects, such as Commencement, the Wilder School Symposium, and the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards Program.

• Respond to requests for information relative to meetings, speaking engagements, appointments, and other concerns.

• Assist with the coordination of travel arrangements.

• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the Wilder School.

Coordinate Daily Activities for Governor L. Douglas Wilder (30%)

Manages the Distinguished Faculty's calendar, speaking engagements, events, etc., to include merit reviews, program reviews, faculty searches, department chair/director meetings, annual faculty meetings, special events, conferences, and recruitment, etc.

• Ensures that all materials and briefs are available in advance of appointments.

• Prepares agenda items and related materials for all meetings.

• Collect and organize data required by the Distinguished Faculty, and other senior administrative staff for special reports, speaking engagements, and appointments based on knowledge of subject matter.

• Record minutes at monthly administrative and committee meetings, ensuring accuracy and completeness, and distribute as appropriate.

• Send out school-wide communications, as needed, on behalf of the Distinguished Faculty to provide information about upcoming programs and events.

• Serve as the primary coordinator for day-to-day activities of the School as directed by the Distinguished Faulty and other senior staff in the office.

Operational Support, System Maintenance, and Miscellaneous Duties as assigned (10%)

Effectively maintain a filing system for the office including tickler and electronic files so that information is easily accessible and organized in accordance with procedures.

• Ensure that departments are apprised of all deadlines for processes, responses, events, etc., and develop checklists of material received or missing for various programs.

• Work collaboratively with other staff members as needed.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Typical Education and Experience

Essential:

• A bachelor's degree and substantive experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Must have knowledge of local, state, and national politics and keep up with current events.

• Must have knowledge of governance and operations at an administrative level.

• Excellent computer skills - with experience with Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Proven ability to effectively organize and manage timelines and projects to meet deadlines.

• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little supervision.

• Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of people in a diverse environment.

• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and exercise sound judgment.

• Substantial experience in a fast-paced, complex work environment preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise professional discretion and maintain confidentiality of information required.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment, or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred:

• Ability to articulate and synthesize policy of the Wilder School.

• Experience in planning and coordinating interviews with the media.

• Experience in drafting, editing, and preparing professional writing (including letters, memos, meeting minutes, etc.), and disseminating materials through website postings, email, and social media.

• Ability to conduct research, awareness of political issues, and ability to discuss legislation.

• Work experience in a key administrative position, preferably in higher education and/or executive-level support.

• Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and organization.

• Experience with event planning and coordination.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):

Light lifting (<20>

Pushing/pulling

Standing

Sitting

Emotional Demands (Essential):

Fast pace/Average Pace

Multiple stimuli

Frequent change

Intense customer interaction

Mental/Sensory Demands (Essential):

Memory

Reading

Reasoning

Hearing

Logic

Analyzing

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

University Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here .

Application Submission/Other Information

All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning February 19, 2024 .

"Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability".