Assistant to the Chair

About the role

The Assistant to the Chair provides comprehensive administrative support to the BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) department. This role supports the Chair, coordinates departmental events, manages student clubs, and oversees the student film festival program.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Chair’s office, working closely with the Chair, Director of Operations, and department staff.
• Serve as the liaison between the department and internal/external stakeholders, including faculty, SVA leadership, alumni, students, and industry partners.
• Cook major departmental events and initiatives, including Student Orientation, Thesis Presentations, Screenings, Open Houses, and Accepted Students Days.
• Coordinate event logistics, including promotional materials, signage, vendor services, catering, and budget management.
• Schedule student meetings with the Chair and manage the logistics and scheduling for thesis reviews.
• Organize and archive student work for annual screenings and exhibitions.
• Produce and distribute the weekly departmental newsletter to faculty and students.
• Manage departmental social media channels to amplify events, news, and student achievements.
• Share event updates, exhibitions, and news highlights with the SVA External Relations team.
• Support recent alumni by sharing relevant job, internship, and professional opportunities.
• Support student clubs by leading monthly meetings and advising on event planning, promotion, and engagement.
• Manage the student film festival initiative, including submission tracking, award promotion, screening coordination, and grant administration.
• Manage general reception, deliver facility tours, process mailings, and draft, edit, and proofread departmental correspondence.
• Maintain comprehensive contact databases for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and industry contacts.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise one student worker.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (BA / BFA) required.
• Experience: A minimum of 3 years of administrative experience; supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong computer skills with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Zoom, and popular social media platforms.
• Organizational Capabilities: Proven organizational capabilities with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Written, Verbal, and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with a strong collaborative mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities: Ability to draft, proofread, and edit professional written communications and newsletters; Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when planning departmental events, reviews, and film submissions; Ability to handle confidential information, prioritize tasks, and manage project budgets effectively; Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to act as a representative of the Chair to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry contacts; Ability to interview, hire, and supervise student workers.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Location: 133/141 West 21st Street, 2nd and 3rd floors, New York, NY 10011.
• Schedule: Standard work schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (4 days on-site, 1 day remote).
• Flexibility: Occasional evening or weekend availability required to support departmental events, screenings, student thesis presentations, and peak operational deadlines.
• Remote Work Policy: This is a hybrid position (4 days on-site; 1 remote workday).
• Physical Demands: Movement & Mobility: Frequently moves across multi-floor departmental facilities to conduct tours, set up events, manage logistics, and deliver mailings. Event Setup & Catering Logistics: Occasionally lifts, carries, positions, or moves event supplies, signage, promotional materials, and catering setups up to 25 lbs. Stationary Work: Frequently operates a computer workstation, handles administrative correspondence, and responds to digital and phone inquiries.