Executive Administrative Assistant: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

10h•$55,000 - $65,000

About The Position

The Executive Administrative Assistant serves as the trusted partner and primary administrative professional supporting the Vice Provost and Founding Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS). This highly visible position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, professionalism, and executive presence while serving as the central coordinator for the Dean's Office. The role extends well beyond traditional administrative support by anticipating needs, proactively managing priorities, protecting the Dean's most valuable resource, time, and ensuring the Dean's attention remains focused on advancing the college's mission, people, partnerships, and strategic vision. This position serves as the Dean's trusted assistant on administrative operations and is a critical contributor to the continued success of one of the university's fastest growing and most innovative colleges. As the Dean's principal administrative partner, the Executive Administrative Assistant exercises independent judgment in managing competing priorities, coordinating complex calendars, preparing executive materials, and facilitating interactions with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors, industry partners, government officials, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will think strategically, anticipate challenges before they arise, and ensure every interaction reflects the professionalism and excellence of the Dean's Office. The ideal candidate is an experienced executive support professional with demonstrated experience supporting senior executives, preferably within higher education. This individual possesses exceptional organizational skills, emotional intelligence, awareness of complex organizational structures and operations, and the maturity to confidently navigate complex situations while representing the Dean with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, and consistently demonstrates initiative by solving problems before they become obstacles.

Requirements

Exceptional judgment, discretion, professionalism, and executive presence.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Emotional intelligence.
Awareness of complex organizational structures and operations.
Maturity to confidently navigate complex situations.
Ability to represent the Dean with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives, preferably within higher education.

Responsibilities

Serves as the trusted partner and primary administrative professional supporting the Vice Provost and Founding Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS).
Acts as the central coordinator for the Dean's Office.
Anticipates needs, proactively manages priorities, and protects the Dean's time.
Ensures the Dean's attention remains focused on advancing the college's mission, people, partnerships, and strategic vision.
Serves as the Dean's trusted assistant on administrative operations.
Exercises independent judgment in managing competing priorities.
Coordinates complex calendars.
Prepares executive materials.
Facilitates interactions with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors, industry partners, government officials, and external stakeholders.
Thinks strategically and anticipates challenges.
Ensures every interaction reflects the professionalism and excellence of the Dean's Office.
Manages multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
Demonstrates initiative by solving problems before they become obstacles.