About the Opportunity

Job Title: Special Assistant to the Dean

About Northeastern

Position Summary

The Special Assistant to the Dean functions as an essential member of the Silicon Valley campus leadership team, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Dean’s Office by providing administrative support to the Dean and the Associate Dean and executing special projects at the Dean’s request.

The Special Assistant to the Dean will execute a variety of time-sensitive and complex responsibilities including routine interface with University and community leaders on administrative, substantive, and confidential matters. Administrative responsibilities include the preparation of draft communications, daily correspondence, special messaging on behalf of the campus leadership, strategically scheduling meetings, proofreading documents, and conducting research for important internal projects.

The Special Assistant to the Dean is responsible for developing effective systems to manage the administrative & operational needs of the Dean's Office including issue, task, and action tracking, following up with key individuals, and regular status reporting. The selected individual must be able to communicate professionally and effectively on behalf of the Dean and will manage relations with key constituents, frequently communicating with the Silicon Valley staff and internal and external stakeholders.

The position may require evening or weekend work on occasion. In this fast-paced office focused on growth, the successful candidate will be adept at planning and prioritization, tactful communication, and will possess a strong organizational background along with the ability to be flexible, professional, and creative in responding to rapid requests with very short turnaround. This is an on-site position with limited potential for remote work.

Qualifications

The selected individual will have strong organizational and communication skills, including excellent writing skills. Able to coordinate teams across campus and the university to accomplish critical activities in support of the campus strategic plan. Critical thinking skills, project management ability, adaptability, managing multiple timelines, and attention to detail are required. Excellent computer skills including proficiency in MS Office Suite and collaboration tools. Detail-oriented, demonstrate a thorough knowledge of professional office procedures, exercise good judgment and problem-solving skills, and possess strong proof-reading skills. Strong time management skills and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Able to exercise discretion and tact handling confidential information coupled with the ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure while maintaining a high level of professionalism. Knowledge and skills required for this position are normally acquired through a Bachelor's degree and at least years of support to upper management, preferably in higher education or executive setting, with demonstrated proficiency in project management.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Responsibility Percent of Time

Administrative Support

• Provide general administrative support to the Dean and Associate Dean, to include calendar maintenance, meeting scheduling, agenda preparation, and note-taking.
• Serve as a primary point of contact, internally and externally, for all activities related to the Dean’s Office, triaging and redirecting inquiries as appropriate to the campus leadership team.
• Provide recruiting support to Dean’s Office, coordinating resume reviews, scheduling interviews, organizing feedback, interfacing with HR, and onboarding new staff in concert with hiring managers.
• Serve as a collaborative partner to other campus functions (e.g., Facilities, Operations, Student Affairs, Marketing & Recruiting, colleges), coordinating communications among separate campus functions as needed to ensure smooth and efficient operations and elevating pertinent information to campus leadership as required.
• Develop agendas for leadership team meetings, take meeting minutes for team meetings and senior leadership meetings, maintain archive of meeting minutes and agendas on shared drives.
• Develop and maintain cloud-based record-keeping system for the Dean’s Office to include strategic plans, meeting agendas and notes, organizational charts, and other useful information.
• Special Projects
• Manage special projects, as assigned by the Dean, in support of the campus plan or other strategic initiatives. This includes scheduling, attending and/or leading related meetings, executing project work, acting as the Dean’s delegate in project management processes, and maintaining and reporting status information for all active projects.
• Communications Support
• Coordinate with campus staff and University communications professionals to develop and distribute communications to faculty, staff, and students as needed in response to internal or external events.
• Partner with campus marketing staff to ensure campus activities are appropriately presented on social media streams.

Manage Campus Visitors

• Identify and proactively track planned visits to the Silicon Valley Campus by visitors from other NU campuses as well as external visitors. Gain a clear understanding of purpose of the visit and articulate this vision clearly to the senior team and other relevant staff members to identify and develop the appropriate meetings and events to support the visit successfully.

The expected hiring range is $65,360 to $83,335. ​The starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. The expected hiring ranges are taken from the annualized salary ranges for full-time workers, which are reviewed each year and are subject to change.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.