Executive Assistant to the Chancellor

Nevada System of Higher Education

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Executive Assistant to the Chancellor. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Executive Director of Operations and provides executive administrative support to the Chancellor. The position will be located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: two universities, a state college, four community colleges and research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees. The Executive Assistant to the Chancellor provides high‑level, comprehensive executive support that enables the Chancellor to focus on strategic leadership, systemwide priorities, and external engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, the position plays a critical role in managing the Chancellor’s engagement ecosystem — including scheduling, briefing preparation, travel coordination, stakeholder communication, and issue tracking. The position ensures the effective execution of the Chancellor’s priorities by: Managing a complex, high‑volume schedule aligned with governance cycles and systemwide needs Preparing and organizing briefing materials for meetings with Regents, institutional presidents, state leaders, and national higher‑education partners Coordinating logistics and follow‑through to ensure continuity across the Chancellor’s portfolio Synthesizing information and surfacing key issues requiring the Chancellor’s attention This role is central to the smooth functioning of the Chancellor’s Office and serves as a connective hub between System Administration, the Board of Regents, institutional leadership, state agencies, and national higher‑education organizations.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with five (5) years of progressive experience directly applicable to the position (or) a Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with three (3) years of related and progressive experience directly applicable to the position. Alternatively, ten (10) years of progressive experience directly applicable to the position may be substituted.
• Working knowledge of the Nevada System of Higher Education and its institutions, including policies of the Board of Regents, state laws applicable to NSHE, and institutional and System Office protocols.
• Working knowledge of the protocols associated with Board and standing committee agenda development, including all phases of development and finalization.
• Working knowledge of state legislative processes, key committees, and how legislative activity intersects with NSHE priorities.
• Working knowledge of the Nevada Revised Statutes and various applicable federal and state laws.
• Understanding of State Legislative and budget processes and expectations, familiarity with executive and legislative branch leadership, and the political and economic environment and dynamics of the State of Nevada.
• Principles of conflict resolution and crisis management.
• Knowledge of research methods, information synthesis, and executive briefing preparation.
• Knowledge of best practices in organizational structure, and policies and procedures related to position.
• Good understanding of higher education or governmental organizational and governance structures.
• Understanding of best practices in executive workflow management, issue tracking, and operational coordination within a C‑suite environment.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled at relating to a diverse group and inspiring cooperation among individuals and institutions to achieve a common goal.
• Capable of collaborating with other senior administrators to achieve positive, timely and workable results.
• Proven ability and skill to identify and analyze complex situations and recommend or implement effective courses of action and effectively communicate results of analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly; independently understand, analyze, and interpret complex written material, and computer-generated information.
• Adept at organizing assigned tasks, multi-tasking effectively, prioritizing a heavy workload, developing comprehensive timetables and strategies to meet multiple and constantly changing deadlines.
• Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Analyze situations to determine the effective course of action.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions appropriately and within the boundaries of assigned authority.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and accuracy.
• Attention to detail to respond to unexpected job demands and keep pace with rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
• Shows strong judgment to properly handle sensitive issues that arise frequently in the rapidly changing environment of the Chancellors Office, where improper handling may have serious consequences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain an effective, productive and cooperative working, reporting, and professional relationship with employees at all levels of the organization and external constituencies.
• Compose, proofread, and/or edit comprehensive and concise reports, correspondence, and informational materials on a wide variety of subjects using the full array of written, oral, and visual formats and techniques.
• Interpret projects assigned by the Chancellor.
• Exercise initiative, discretion, and critical judgment.
• A high degree of organizational skills for multi-tasking and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communications skills, verbal and written, to communicate effectively with a diverse population at all levels both internally and externally, using tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in identifying politically sensitive situations and responding with appropriate discretion and judgment.
• Advanced skill in use of computers, including software such as Microsoft Office Suite and workflow tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills to plan work and meet deadlines.
• Skill in maintaining efficient records, tracking systems, and organized documentation.
• Skill in working both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Executive Scheduling, Communications & Engagement Management Purpose: Ensure the Chancellor’s engagements are strategically sequenced, fully prepared, and aligned with systemwide priorities, governance cycles, and institutional needs.
• Manage the Chancellor’s complex calendar, ensuring engagements reflect system priorities, governance timelines, institutional requests, and external obligations.
• Develop, curate, and organize briefing materials for meetings with Regents, presidents, state officials, and national higher education partners.
• Proactively coordinate travel logistics, process reimbursements, and ensure preparation for system, state, and national activities.
• Maintain disciplined systems for tracking action items, deadlines, and follow‑through related to Chancellor‑level initiatives and commitments.
• Coordinate with administrative staff, vice chancellors, institutional offices, and external partners to ensure alignment, readiness, and timely information flow for all engagements.
• Maintain awareness of Board Office timelines and processes to schedule Regent briefings, coordinate preparatory meetings, and ensure the Chancellor is positioned for effective participation in Board activities.
• Draft, edit, and prepare executive‑level correspondence, summaries, reports, and policy‑related documents with accuracy, consistency, and professionalism.
• Develop agendas, coordinate meeting logistics, and capture decisions, commitments, and next steps.
• Ensure meeting documentation, attendees, purpose, and materials are accurate, timely, and aligned with the Chancellor’s priorities.
• Systemwide Stakeholder Coordination & Issue Awareness Purpose: Serve as a connective hub across the higher education ecosystem, ensuring the Chancellor’s engagements reflect current priorities, emerging issues, and systemwide context.
• Maintain situational awareness of systemwide issues, institutional priorities, and state or national developments impacting NSHE.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Operations and senior leadership to understand the interplay between system administration, institutional presidents, the Board of Regents, legislative bodies, and national higher education organizations.
• Facilitate smooth, timely, and accurate communication between the Chancellor’s Office and internal/external stakeholders.
• Provide a gatekeeper function that ensures appropriate access, maintains credibility and trust, and supports effective executive communication.
• Anticipate emerging issues, troubleshoot concerns, and exercise discretion in determining appropriate escalation pathways.
• Handle inquiries directed to the Chancellor’s Office and develop action plans to address them, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with system priorities.
• Executive Prioritization, Issue Tracking & Special Projects Purpose: Maintain disciplined systems for surfacing priorities, tracking commitments, analyzing issues, and supporting special projects with minimal direction.
• Monitor incoming information and requests across multiple channels to identify high‑priority items requiring the Chancellor’s attention.
• Use organizational tools to track tasks, commitments, cross‑unit dependencies, and governance‑related deadlines.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable summaries for the Chancellor and Executive Director of Operations.
• Evaluate issues and proposed options, and recommended solutions.
• Conduct research, prepare background materials, and support special projects, policy revisions, and governmental or regent‑requested reports.
• Initiate research, report writing, and recommendations with minimal direction.
• Coordinate with and provide direction to administrative support staff to ensure timely follow‑through on Chancellor‑level priorities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included.
• Outstanding Retirement Plan: professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan.
• Paid Leave: generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• Education Benefit: employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit. Faculty may take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate and their dependents may access an unlimited number of credits, if they meet specific criteria.
• Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees