Executive Assistant

The University of Georgia (UGA), chartered in 1785, is the birthplace of public higher education in America and Georgia’s flagship university. Ranked among the top 20 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, UGA’s main campus is in Athens, with extended campuses across Georgia. The university employs approximately 3,100 faculty and 7,700 full-time staff, serving over 41,000 students.

The Mary Frances Early College of Education (MFE COE) is the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA. Named for UGA’s first African American graduate, the college emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, with strong partnerships across campus, the local community, and the state. MFE COE offers programs in teacher preparation, counseling, human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy, with 40% of its students at the graduate level.

About the role

This position provides executive-level support to the Dean of the Mary Frances Early College of Education, ensuring efficient and effective management of the office. The role involves handling sensitive, high-profile, and confidential information, such as personnel matters and donor details, while adhering to institutional policies. The incumbent will exercise significant independent judgment and discretion in administrative and procedural decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive support for the Dean (50%):
  • Manage the Dean’s daily schedule and communications.
  • Brief the Dean on deadlines, research and gather information for daily activities, and provide insights and recommendations.
  • Anticipate, initiate, and coordinate administrative matters for the Dean.
  • Initiate and respond to requests and inquiries on behalf of the Dean, maintaining strict confidentiality on sensitive matters.
  • Draft correspondence and reports for the Dean, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Serve as liaison for the Dean’s Office with internal and external constituents (25%):
  • Act as the principal point of contact between the Dean’s office and the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, other Deans, MFE COE leadership, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, parents, industry, government, and the public.
  • Manage and coordinate administrative, faculty, and staff meetings (e.g., Cabinet, Department Heads, Leadership Council, Superintendent’s Advisory Council).
  • Develop, distribute, and retain agendas and supporting documents.
• Provide leadership and management for the Dean’s Office (25%):
  • Serve as receptionist for the dean’s suite, answering phones and greeting visitors.
  • Answer questions and interpret policies and procedures.
  • Schedule conference rooms, oversee mail operations, coordinate limited events, manage office supplies, and address parking issues.
  • Ensure office operations comply with institutional policies and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 5 years of related experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication, customer service, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, including managing time, resources, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion with confidential information.
• Flexibility, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a self-starter mindset.
• Ability to quickly learn complex procedures and systems and produce reports using digital tools.

Physical Demands

• Sit for extended periods at a computer.
• Occasional general lifting (e.g., copy paper boxes, supplies).

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM work schedule.