Executive Assistant to the Dean

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Permanent

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Permanent

If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Establish, maintain and oversee effective processes, programs and operations required to administer the Gillings School of Global Public Health online MPH program.

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant (EA) to the Dean of the Gillings School of Global Public Health serves as the operational partner and most trusted administrative resource to the school’s Dean. This is not a conventional administrative role. It is a senior-level executive support position that demands exceptional judgment, deep institutional awareness, and the sustained ability to anticipate complex needs, connect disparate pieces of information, and take calm, measured action in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.

The Executive Assistant must develop a sophisticated understanding of the Dean’s priorities, communication style, working preferences, and institutional relationships and use that knowledge daily to manage an exceptionally complex calendar of local, regional, and national engagements; triage and resolve competing demands; draft high-quality correspondence and communications on the Dean’s behalf; and ensure the Dean is consistently prepared, informed, and equipped to lead. The EA will need to demonstrate strong situational awareness, be proactive in anticipating needs and act with initiative while exercising sound judgment and discretion.

The EA is responsible for independent problem solving, answering questions, providing information, and taking action on behalf of the Dean as authorized and serves as the primary entry point to the Dean for students, staff, faculty, university administrators, government officials, philanthropic partners, peer institution leaders, and a wide range of other internal and external stakeholders.

Every interaction reflects the school’s leadership, and the EA must represent that function with poise, professionalism, and unfailing discretion at all times. This individual must analyze, prioritize, and keep track of multiple pieces of complex and often confidential information to make accurate, efficient decisions regarding workflow and provide deft facilitation and processing of information and correspondence.

The ability to make connections between events, anticipate downstream consequences, and synthesize complex institutional information into clear, actionable intelligence for the Dean is essential to success in this role.

This individual serves as a key liaison to the Dean’s Office team, communicating about and helping to align work, and ensuring smooth exchange of information and coordination of schedules and priorities. The Gillings School administrative team operates in a matrix model, meaning that administrative staff are cross-trained and support each other as needed.

The Executive Assistant brings calm steadiness to complexity, genuine investment in the Dean’s success and the Gillings School’s mission, and the professional maturity to operate with both initiative and humility, earning trust through consistent reliability, sound judgment, and the quiet competence that exceptional executive support requires.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Associate’s degree in secretarial science, business administration, or a related discipline and one year of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience ; or Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences

• Significant experience providing executive-level administrative support to a senior leader such as a dean, president, vice president, chief executive, or equivalent in a complex academic, government, or professional organization.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, take initiative, and make sound decisions with limited direction in a high-stakes, high-visibility environment.
• High emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to read interpersonal dynamics and organizational context with accuracy and sensitivity.
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to remain calm, focused, and productive in a fast-paced, frequently shifting environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including using discretion with confidential matters, but also ensuring that other constituents, particularly members of the Dean’s Office team, are informed with critical information they need to function optimally.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Briefly describe your experience supporting deans, executives, or other senior leaders in a large organization.
• * Briefly describe what you believe makes an effective executive assistant.
• * How do you navigate sensitive situations on behalf of a leader while maintaining trust and positive relationships?
• * Please select the response below that best describes your experience/education for the Executive Assistant position.
  • Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate degree preferably in business administration or a related discipline.
  • Associate's degree in secretarial science, business administration, or a related discipline and 1 year of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience
  • Combination of post-high school education and/or progressively responsible administrative/office management experience area to equal at least 3 years. (eg. Associate degree and 1 year of experience)
  • High school diploma/GED and at least 3 years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience
  • Did not complete high school but have a combination of high school education and administrative/office management experience to equal 7 years. (1 year of high school and 6 years of related experience)
  • None of the above