Vassar College

Special Assistant to the President and Board Secretary

Department: President's Office

Duration of Position: Full year / Full time

Position Type: Administrator

Posting Date:

Posting Removal Date: Open Until Filled

Posting Number: 1001234

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. Vassar College is a smoke-free campus.

Position Summary and Responsibilities Reporting to the President, the Special Assistant to the President and Board Secretary (the latter subject to election by the Board) will work closely with the President to advance the institution's goals and will work closely with senior administrative leadership, faculty leadership, and the Board as needed. The Special Assistant and Board Secretary will play an active role in moving strategic and operational plans forward and helping to manage essential projects and initiatives. The position will play a major role in augmenting the College communications, management systems, policies, and strategic and operational processes involving the President's office and Board and in coordination with the senior administrative leadership.

The position will have broad reach and the appointee will have significant autonomy in shaping the role to meet the evolving needs of the College. The appointee will serve as a sounding board, advisor, support, and resource to the President. The appointee will also assist in ensuring that the President's attention and time are directed strategically.

Position responsibilities:
1) Develop in partnership with the President and senior administrative leadership a strategy of internal and external engagement
2) Help ensure the most effective use of the President's time
3) Ensure the President is well-informed and prepared for various meetings, appearances, and presentations
4) With the President, review, and manage strategic and operational plans, including related communications and implementation issues, as directed by the President and in collaboration with senior administrative leadership
5) Assist President and Operations Administrator in developing the budget of the Office of the President
6) Serve as the President's primary liaison for all human resource, finance, information technology, and other management issues that develop relative to the Office
7) Set up systems in the Office of the President to respond to the variety of inquiries and correspondence that come to the Office of the President
8) Develop with the President and President's operations administrator the agenda for and manage follow up from senior administrative leadership meetings
9) Draft correspondence from and remarks for the President, as needed
10) In collaboration with other staff in the Office of the President, create a welcoming and warm environment that encourages student engagement with the Office
11) Curate the Office of the President's online and social media presence, in collaboration with the Office of Communications
12) Assign work to or mentor student interns
13) Advise the President on matters of protocol; organize and coordinate resources to address issues of particular urgency and/or sensitivity; be point person in the Office of the President on emergency preparedness and response
14) Represent the President as appropriate
15) Develop agendas for Board meetings, in partnership with President and Board Chair; coordinate senior administrative leadership submission of reports, committee agendas, committee minutes, and support documents
16) Supervise preparation of materials for Board meetings, and fulfill all duties of a Board secretary as required under the by-laws of Vassar College and New York State law
17) Working with the Controller, coordinate annual solicitation of conflict of interest disclosures from Board members, senior administrative leadership, and others with substantial spending authority.
18) Support Board development including orientation, fiduciary and other training, and capacity development
19) Attend all Board meetings and executive committee meetings, recording minutes as requested

Qualifications
Required skills and experience: 1. Successful leadership experience in highly complex environments, and experience responding to multiple constituencies and managing budgets 2. Experience in higher education working with faculty and senior leadership on sensitive and routine issues of strategy, program design, budgets, and implementation efforts 3. Experience working with and counseling students and student-run organizations as part of residential life in a college setting 4. A proven track record in implementing institutional policies, programs, and activities 5. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a broad range of individuals internally and externally; in addition, the ability to be diplomatic in a complex environment in oral and written communication 6. Experience in a self-directed role demonstrating confidence and initiative 7. An ability to learn quickly, be flexible, and be comfortable with ambiguity 8. Demonstrated commitment to high standards of excellence, a willingness to go the extra mile, and a strong attention to detail 9. Outstanding oral and written communication skills 10. Excellent collaboration and facilitation skills 11. Commitment to the mission and values of a liberal arts institution, including sustainable access to the opportunities the institution provides and support for student and employee success 12. Experience planning and facilitating diversity and inclusion programming for students and professionals 13. Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of experience after graduation.

Required Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 References

Optional Applicant Documents


Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your application, you will be required to attach your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references (Word or PDF format required). The position will remain open until filled.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:


Anticipated Start Date:


Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):


To Apply
All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu.

Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.



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