Special Assistant to Vice President of Enrollment Management

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Enrollment Management Division at the University of Southern California is seeking a highly organized, strategic, and detail-oriented Special Assistant to the Vice President, Enrollment Management. This position will report directly to the Vice President, Enrollment Management and will serve as a trusted administrative, operational, and strategic partner in support of the Office of the Vice President. The Special Assistant will play a critical role in managing the daily operations of the VP’s office, including complex calendar management, communications, travel coordination, briefing preparation, expense reimbursements, and executive-level administrative support. This role will also serve as a primary point of contact for the Office of the Vice President, assessing the urgency of requests, determining priorities, and ensuring timely and appropriate follow-through. In addition to providing high-level executive support, the Special Assistant will partner with senior leadership on the planning, execution, and management of high-priority initiatives across the university. The position requires strong judgment, discretion, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex priorities in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
5 years managing and/or supporting administration of an executive’s office
Superior level of professionalism and exceptional attention to details.
Proven analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.
Experience managing heavy calendars, coordinating meetings, and making detailed travel arrangements and itineraries.
Superb interpersonal, diplomatic, and written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and other relevant office and project management software/tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Adobe Creative Suite, Skype).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Eight years of experience in higher education, government, or a similarly complex organization.
Experience supporting senior executives or leadership teams in a highly visible, mission-driven environment.
Demonstrated commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage the Vice President’s calendar, schedule, meetings, travel arrangements, itineraries, and expense reimbursements.
Create daily agendas and briefing materials that include upcoming calendar items, events, speeches, and relevant background information.
Serve as a key liaison between the Vice President, direct reports, university offices, and internal and external stakeholders.
Assess incoming requests, communications, and situations to determine urgency, priority, and appropriate action.
Draft, review, prioritize, and coordinate correspondence on behalf of the Vice President.
Support the development and implementation of short- and long-term plans for the Office of the Vice President.
Research, resolve, and follow up on questions or issues referred by staff, faculty, students, visitors, or external contacts.
Assist with committee coordination, project tracking, reports, recommendations, and implementation follow-up.
Develop and maintain effective office systems, filing processes, databases, and documentation practices.
Support strategic initiatives by coordinating workflows, tracking deliverables, managing timelines, and partnering with leadership and stakeholders across the university.
In the event of an emergency, the employee holding this position is required to “report to duty” in accordance with the university’s Emergency Operations Plan and/or the employee’s department’s emergency response and/or recovery plans. Familiarity with those plans and regular training to implement those plans is required. During or immediately following an emergency, the employee will be notified to assist in the emergency response efforts, and mobilize other staff members if needed.
A mandated reporter who in his or her professional capacity has knowledge of, or reasonably suspects a person who is under the age of 18 years, elderly, or a dependent adult has been the victim of abuse or neglect must report the suspected incident. The reporter must contact a designated agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone or in writing within 36 hours. By virtue of the associated job duties, this position qualifies as a mandated reporter as required by state law and USC’s policy at: https://policy.usc.edu/mandated-reporters/
Performs similar or related duties as assigned.