Sociology Executive Assistant

The Sociology Department traces its origins back to 1932 and has a proud history studying social life, social change, inequality, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. We are one of the top sociology departments in the world. To learn more, please visit the Department of Sociology website: https://lsa.umich.edu/soc
This is an opportunity to join a supportive and welcoming team of professionals who are passionate about their work in an environment that prioritizes individual professional growth for staff. The Sociology Staff are a team of dedicated and creative professionals that support students and faculty in providing exceptional, engaging, and innovative opportunities for teaching, learning, and research. Our focus is developing and sustaining a collaborative and inclusive culture, which encourages outreach and engagement throughout our department, institution, community, and society.

The Executive Assistant is a key member of this team.

The Sociology Department in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Executive Assistant. This role has two main components:
1) Provide executive-level support to the Chair, Chief Administrator, and departmental leadership; and
2) Serve as a lead coordinator for the department's largest and most important initiatives.

This position requires an individual who can independently manage complex and shifting priorities, anticipate needs, monitor deadlines, and communicate clearly and proactively with the Chair and Chief Administrator about outstanding work, competing demands, risks, and required decisions. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgment, maintain appropriate discretion, and ensure that work is accurate, timely, and aligned with departmental, College, and University policies.

We seek a resourceful, service-oriented professional who demonstrates emotional intelligence, technical skill, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively and empathetically with a wide range of people. The Executive Assistant will be expected to evaluate current practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop more efficient and reliable processes. The position offers opportunities to expand skills and responsibilities while contributing to the work of a highly regarded academic department.
This position reports to the Chief Administrator, Elizabeth Jahn, and receives a significant portion of their day-to-day work from the Department Chair, Elizabeth

A. Armstrong. This position will require on-site work a minimum of four days per week during the academic year.

The distribution of effort will fluctuate throughout the year and from year-to-year based on the academic calendar, faculty lifecycle, and departmental priorities.

45% Administrative Support for the Chair's Office

• Provide executive-level administrative support to the Department Chair, Chief Administrator, and other departmental leaders as assigned.
• Manage the Chair's calendar, email, and task list with discretion and independent judgment. Assess priorities, resolve scheduling conflicts, create meetings on the Chair's behalf, and provide daily and weekly calendar and task overviews.
• Maintain departmental calendars, including planning and scheduling meetings, video conferences, and travel arrangements for visitors as needed.
• Anticipate upcoming needs and deadlines, independently follow through on assignments, and proactively communicate with the Chair and Chief Administrator about outstanding work, competing priorities, potential delays, and decisions requiring their attention.
• Coordinate the logistics and support for weekly executive committee meetings, biweekly faculty administrator meetings, monthly faculty meetings, and other meetings convened by the Chair's Office. Develop agendas in consultation with the Chair and other stakeholders; prepare and distribute meeting materials; record and maintain minutes; document decisions and action items; and follow up to ensure that assigned actions are initiated and completed.
• Draft, edit, and distribute correspondence and other materials on behalf of the Chair. Interpret policies and adapt communications appropriately for different audiences.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of relevant department, LSA, and University policies. Apply that knowledge to administrative work and identify questions or matters requiring consultation or escalation.
• Create, edit, and…