Executive Assistant to the Provost

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

 

About William Carey International University

William Carey International University (WCIU) is a Christ-centered university committed to equipping leaders for service around the world. WCIU serves a global community and continues to expand its academic programs, faculty partnerships, and institutional impact.

As the university grows, the Office of the Provost is seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant who can bring organization, initiative, sound judgment, and consistent follow-through to a dynamic academic environment.

About the Role

The Executive Assistant to the Provost serves as a trusted partner to the Provost and provides high-level executive, administrative, and project support to the Office of Academic Affairs.

This is more than a traditional administrative support position. The Executive Assistant helps translate the Provost’s priorities into action by protecting her time, anticipating needs, coordinating complex work, tracking commitments, communicating with key stakeholders, and ensuring important work continues moving forward.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, proactive, relationally aware, and comfortable operating with significant independence. The Provost provides direction and trusts her team to carry the work forward. This role is best suited for someone who does not need frequent direction to remain productive and who naturally notices what needs to happen next.

What You Will Own

Executive Support & Priority Management

• Proactively manage the Provost’s calendar, scheduling, meetings, and competing priorities 
• Protect and steward the Provost’s time and attention so she can focus on the work that most requires her leadership 
• Anticipate needs, identify gaps, and independently resolve routine matters 
• Track decisions, commitments, deadlines, and follow-up items so important work does not get lost between conversations 
• Prepare correspondence, agendas, briefings, presentations, documents, and decision-support materials 

Academic & Project Coordination

• Coordinate key projects and initiatives across Academic Affairs 
• Maintain clear documentation, timelines, ownership, and next steps 
• Conduct research, gather information, and prepare concise summaries to support academic and institutional decision-making 
• Support faculty-related administrative processes, including agreements, contracts, onboarding, and other academic workflows 
• Coordinate recruitment and hiring activities within Academic Affairs 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen administrative systems, processes, and communication 

Communication & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as a professional and responsive point of coordination for faculty, staff, university leadership, candidates, and external partners 
• Coordinate communication and meetings involving multiple stakeholders, priorities, and time zones 
• Draft professional communications on behalf of the Office of the Provost as appropriate 
• Handle sensitive academic, organizational, and personnel matters with discretion and sound judgment 

Meetings, Events & Administration

• Coordinate executive meetings, academic forums, retreats, institutional events, and other gatherings 
• Manage meeting preparation, materials, logistics, virtual platforms, travel coordination, and follow-up 
• Maintain organized records, files, and administrative systems 
• Help ensure the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Provost run smoothly and reliably

 

The Ideal Candidate

You may be a strong fit for this role if you:

• Naturally anticipate needs and take action without waiting for every next step to be assigned 
• Bring order, structure, and follow-through to complex work 
• Enjoy helping a senior leader accomplish important goals and protecting their capacity to focus on the work that matters most 
• Exercise strong judgment about what you can handle independently and what needs executive attention 
• Communicate with warmth, professionalism, clarity, and discretion 
• Maintain a high level of accuracy while also understanding the larger purpose behind the work 
• Take ownership of commitments and ensure work reaches completion 
• Are comfortable coordinating people, projects, information, and competing priorities 
• Thrive in an environment where priorities may evolve and new needs emerge 
• Work effectively with significant autonomy and do not require frequent direction to stay engaged and productive 
• Find satisfaction in helping ideas, priorities, and decisions become reality

This role is best suited for someone who does not need a highly directive manager to do their best work. The Provost will set direction and trust you to carry it forward. The right person is energized by that autonomy, brings momentum to the work around them, and knows how to protect a thoughtful leader’s time and attention without being asked. 

Requirements:

 
Required Qualifications  

• Agreement with WCIU’s Statement of Faith (wciu.edu/statement -of-faith )
• A demonstrated and vibrant Christian faith consistent with WCIU’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
• Experience supporting senior leaders, executives, or organizational leadership teams
• Strong organizational, administrative, and project coordination skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and discretion
• Sound judgment and integrity in handling confidential information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, virtual collaboration tools, and administrative systems
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, organize work, and follow through effectively in a remote work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a senior executive in higher education, ministry, missions, nonprofit, or another mission-driven organization
• Experience with academic administration, faculty processes, or higher education operations
• Experience coordinating recruitment, onboarding, contracts, executive meetings, events, or cross-functional projects
• Familiarity with academic governance, accreditation, curriculum processes, or institutional planning
• Experience supporting a leader or organization during a period of significant growth or organizational change

Benefits & Employee Experience

WCIU offers a meaningful benefits package designed to support employees in their work, well-being, and continued growth.

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance for the employee 
• Dental and vision coverage available as voluntary benefits 
• Additional voluntary benefit options including short-term disability, accident, cancer, hospital, and supplemental coverage
• Generous paid time away, including PTO plus 16 paid holidays and university closure days each year 
• Tuition remission after six months of employment for eligible employees, providing up to one WCIU course per academic term, subject to supervisor approval and normal admission requirements 
• A fully remote work environment with the opportunity to contribute to a mission-centered, global university community