Executive Assistant to Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs & Assistant De

Overview

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Summary:

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is accepting applications for a highly skilled and experienced Executive Assistant to provide administrative support to the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and to the Assistant Dean of Student Services. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, a proactive problem solver, and an exceptional communicator with a proven track record of supporting senior-level executives in a fast-paced academic environment.

This is a full-time position anticipated to begin in mid-February 2026.
This is an internal VCU only position search. Applicants must be current VCU employees.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs
Department Summary:

The Wilder School's mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
• Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs  and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No.

33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

• Administrative Support: Provide comprehensive administrative assistance to the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and the Assistant Dean of Student Services, including calendar management, travel coordination, and expense reporting.
• Develop and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and presentations to align with the Wilder School's priority objectives.
• Generate routine and ad hoc data reports from student information and tracking systems, preparing basic summaries and spreadsheets for team utilization.
• Support event planning and execution for orientations, information sessions, and other activities.
• Communication and Scheduling: Manage complex and sensitive communications, including emails, phone calls, and correspondence. Monitor general email inboxes, respond using approved templates, and route messages to the appropriate office. Maintain shared classroom calendars and coordinate room scheduling along with logistical arrangements for programs and meetings.
• Operations and Logistics: Process supply orders and monitor deliveries, ensuring the maintenance of office and event supply inventory. Develop and implement administrative processes to enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
• Team Support: Provide administrative support to team leads in recruiting, advising, and career development.
• Additional Duties: Provide backup support to the Office of the Dean, collaborating with other executive assistants and administrative staff as necessary. Perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overarching goals of the Wilder School.
• Other: Occasional evening/weekend work required.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Higher Education, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Experience supporting senior-level executives in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Google Suite, and other productivity software.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

• Experience with academic programs, policies, and procedures.
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting senior-level executives in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of budget management and financial reporting.
• Familiarity with student information systems and other academic software.
• Certification in administrative support or a related field.

Salary Range: $49,000 to $53,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match…