Executive Assistant to the Dean

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

2d • $85,700 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts seeks a highly experienced Executive Assistant to provide strategic, proactive support to the Dean as well as the Executive Director for Institute Effectiveness. This role is ideal for a seasoned executive assistant who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and exercises strong judgment, discretion, and autonomy. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted partner to the Dean, managing complex scheduling, communications, meeting preparation, and operational workflows while anticipating needs and ensuring the Dean’s time and attention are aligned with institutional priorities. This position interacts regularly with senior university leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors, and external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in using judgment, creativity, emotional intelligence, and working at a high level of proficiency.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience providing executive support to a senior leader, CEO/COO, Dean or higher.
• Experience in demonstrating tact and diplomacy and in maintaining effective working relationships.
• Experience in quickly changing priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolutions of conflicts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of administrative principles and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of handling confidential, proprietary and privileged documents and information.
• Demonstrated ability to learn University policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting and budgeting procedures and techniques.
• Experience in planning, analyzing and coordinating activities and establishing priorities.
• Evidence of effective communication.
• Experience in dealing with a wide range of topics, including confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience in tact and diplomacy and in maintaining effective working relationships.
• Experience in problem solving and decision making; evidence of organizational skills and flexibility; and proactively anticipating requirements and potential problems.
• Experience in managing multiple high-priority activities requiring considerable coordination and follow through to meet requirements.
• Experience in maintaining an executive presence, maturity and use sound judgment.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Calendar) and Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), including complex document formatting, data analysis, reporting, and collaborative workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage advanced features (e.g., formulas, pivot tables, version control, shared permissions, and presentation design) to support high-volume, detail-oriented administrative or business operations.

Responsibilities

• Executive & Calendar Management Manage a highly complex calendar with back-to-back meetings, built-in recovery time, work blocks, and travel considerations.
• Schedule meetings across campus and via Zoom, prioritizing VIPs and senior leadership while resolving conflicts diplomatically.
• Proactively scan the calendar months in advance to support long-range planning and recurring decision cycles.
• Manage office hours, including waitlists, scheduling adjustments, and coordination with Student Success for appropriate triage.
• Meeting & Agenda Coordination Prepare and organize materials for meetings, presentations, leadership forums, and the Dean’s Think Tank.
• Maintain structured Google Drive folders and notes that capture original requests, deadlines, meeting duration, and prep materials.
• Track agendas and action items for leadership and School Director meetings, supporting a rhythm of preview, discussion, and decision-making.
• Coordinate huddles, confirm attendees, manage timing, and maintain summary notes for institutional record keeping.
• Communication & Email Triage Manage the Dean’s inbox, prioritizing and flagging communications from senior leadership, donors, and VIP stakeholders.
• Independently process and file routine documents (e.g., Adobe Sign agreements for guest artists).
• Reduce email volume through thoughtful use of tools such as Keep and Outlook filters, while ensuring critical information is surfaced promptly.
• Operational & Stakeholder Support Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, exercising discretion and sound judgment.
• Coordinate logistics for events and meetings, including room reservations, Zoom links, and refreshments.
• Communicate clearly and professionally on behalf of the Dean, redirecting requests as appropriate.

Benefits

• Salary and wages paid
• Comprehensive package of affordable benefit plans and programs
• Access to world-class educational opportunities at deeply discounted rates
• Flexible work options
• Alternative work schedules can include four, 10-hour workdays in a workweek; a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only; and staggered start and stop times.
• Hybrid work is an arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees