Senior Executive Assistant to the President & VP for Strategy / Board Liaison

Job Description

Job Description

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of New York, the University of Mount Saint Vincent is an academically excellent, authentically inclusive, Catholic and ecumenical liberal arts university. The University combines a strong core curriculum with a full array of majors in the liberal arts and, within the tradition of liberal education, selected professional fields of study.

At Mount Saint Vincent, a student’s education extends beyond knowledge, skills, and preparation for work. We seek the development of the whole person. In the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Ann Seton, we foster an understanding of our common humanity, a commitment to human dignity, and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other.

Job Summary:

The Senior Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President for Strategy / Board Liaison serves as a trusted strategic partner, reporting directly to the President and additionally provides executive support to the Vice President for Strategy. The President establishes final prioritization when competing demands arise. This highly visible and confidential role is responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of the Office of the President, managing complex calendars, coordinating high-level meetings and initiatives, supporting Board of Trustees activities, and serving as a key liaison among senior leaders, trustees, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, exercise sound judgment, anticipate needs, and manage competing priorities with professionalism and discretion.

The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with demonstrated experience supporting a senior executive, preferably a president, chancellor, provost, or cabinet-level leader in higher education. The individual must be exceptionally organized, proactive, resourceful, and capable of thriving in an environment characterized by constant activity, shifting priorities, and high expectations for responsiveness and execution. This position requires a professional who operates with discretion, professionalism, and urgency, while maintaining a commitment to excellence and service.

This is an in-office, full-time, exempt, highly visible on-campus role requiring occasional evening and weekend availability for Board meetings, presidential events, and mission-critical institutional activities.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate the calendars of the President and Vice President for Strategy, prioritizing appointments, meetings, communications, travel, and strategic initiatives while balancing competing institutional priorities.

• Schedule and coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements as requested and in coordination with other appropriate offices (e.g., Advancement and External Relations).

• Draft and prepare correspondence, including emails, letters, and reports ensuring exceptional accuracy and clarity.

• Anticipate the President's needs and proactively research topics relevant to ongoing initiatives and meetings.

• Manage confidential documents and information with the utmost discretion.

• Coordinate logistics for presidential events and meetings, including catering, AV equipment, and room arrangements.

• Oversee the President's office budget and manage administrative functions such as maintaining office supplies and equipment, and process purchase requisitions.

• Manage databases for mailings and organizational directories.

• Screen and manage incoming calls, emails, and inquiries, directing them appropriately.

• Maintain a professional and welcoming environment in the President's Office – appropriately welcoming all kinds of different constituents.

• Represent the President's Office in her absence, exercising sound judgment and discretion.

• Serve as a strategic gatekeeper for the President's time, ensuring priorities are aligned with institutional goals and initiatives.

• Anticipate challenges, identify potential conflicts, and proactively develop solutions before issues arise.

• Independently manage complex projects and initiatives on behalf of the President, ensuring timely completion and follow-through.

• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for meetings, events, Board activities, and external engagements.

• Monitor and track action items emerging from executive meetings and ensure accountability for follow-up across the institution.

• Exercise independent judgment in managing sensitive matters and determining when issues require presidential and/or Cabinet-level attention.

• Coordinate all Board of Trustees meeting logistics, materials, communications, and follow-up in partnership with the President and Board leadership.

• Maintain trustee records, schedules, and communications while ensuring the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism.

• Act as a liaison between the president, board of trustees, and senior management.

• Thrive in an environment characterized by shifting priorities, compressed timelines, multiple concurrent initiatives, and high expectations for responsiveness, accuracy, and execution.

• Other duties as assigned by the President

Requirements

Skills and Education:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible executive support experience, including significant experience supporting senior executives in higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations.

• Significant experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, or similarly complex mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment and discretion.

• Demonstrated ability to represent the Office of the President with professionalism, diplomacy, sound judgment, and exceptional customer service in interactions with trustees, donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

• Proven success managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced executive environment.

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, quality, and follow-through.

• Strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex organizational relationships with professionalism and diplomacy.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft executive-level correspondence and presentations.

• Demonstrated capacity to anticipate executive needs, solve problems proactively, and consistently deliver high-quality results.

• Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and effectiveness under pressure and during periods of intense activity.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and executive productivity tools as well as familiarity with and/or ability to learn AI tools to support the work of the Office of the President.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience supporting multiple senior executives simultaneously, preferably within a higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizational environment.

• Knowledge and support of the university's mission, vision, and strategic goals.

• Strong understanding of university policies and procedures.

• Proficiency in project management a plus.

Sample Performance Measures will Include:

• Board materials delivered on schedule and without errors.

• Executive action items proactively tracked and closed without prompting.

• Presidential and VP calendars aligned to strategic priorities.

• Briefing materials prepared accurately and on time.

• Trustee and Cabinet communications handled with discretion and responsiveness.

• Office operations and budget managed timely and accurately.

Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000-$114,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Generous paid time off beyond the time the University is closed for holidays, including vacation, and sick leave.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• 100% employer sponsored Life Insurance & LTD benefits.
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching.
• Professional development opportunities.

• Tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program.