Senior Executive Assistant

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: New Hyde Park, NEW YORK
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Department
 

BFI Administration


About the Department
 

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) works with the Chicago Economics community to turn its evidence-based research into real-world impact. BFI takes a unique approach to bridging the divide between academic researchers and decision-makers in the business community and government by translating and packaging the rigorous work of the Chicago Economics community into accessible formats, and proactively sharing those findings with relevant decision-makers and thought leaders around the globe. BFI is a collaborative platform serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu.


Job Summary
 

The Senior Executive Assistant will independently manage multiple administrative and management tasks, providing high-level support to organizational leadership to the Director of the Becker Friedman Institute and senior level faculty member of the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics. Must be able to provide a wide variety of exceptional strategic support and project assistance including scheduling and coordinating high-priority meetings, organizing meetings and workshops, running special events, and maintaining calendars, while upholding confidentiality and exercising discretion in handling sensitive matters.
The job provides confidential and high-level office and location support activities by acting as a lead and coordinating the work of others. Identifies, enhances, and applies specific processes and procedures to maximize the efficiencies of the University to which the support is being provided. May ensure the correct functioning of facilities, office and/or business support services.

Responsibilities

  • Stays informed of activities relating to University programs and initiatives, apprising the faculty of issues when deemed necessary.
  • Provides high-level, complete, strategic oversight of schedule and engagements including triaging and confirming internal and external invitations; develops and communicates agenda and meeting expectations; and leads follow-up with meeting participants for resulting deliverables.
  • Coordinates information flow from executive's office, representing the executive to other University executives, other University offices and outside agencies.
  • Resolves routine and complex inquiries.
  • Stewards relationships with high-profile funders, donors, and potential donors on behalf of the faculty member; assists with coordination of faculty member’s work with outside institutions, and government agencies.
  • Manages speaking and media requests for domestic and international events. This includes screening requests, accepting via email or through form submissions from website (e.g. for interviews, speeches).
  • Coordinates complex domestic and multi-country international travel arrangements for faculty member including associated visa(s), airfare and ground transportation, hotel, and payment and/or reimbursement, according to faculty member’s preferences.
  • May coordinate research support, including recommending various personnel actions related to research staff including but not limited to hiring, performance appraisals, and promotions, determining work priorities and scheduling workflow to meet deadlines and ensuring accuracy and timeliness of work.
  • Schedules and organizes BFI Council meetings, creating agendas, coordinating logistics, taking minutes, and providing meeting facilitation.
  • Monitors faculty member’s internal and external communications to maximize research impact and exposure. Handles sensitive written and telephone communications effectively in a professional manner at all times; answers, screens, and directs communications with utmost courtesy, professionalism, and confidentiality.  Composes and edits emails, letters, memos, reports and meeting agendas. Monitors faculty member’s website, course sites and special websites for specific events or research.
  • Manages faculty member’s day-to-day expenses and reconciliations of expense reports and works in collaboration with the finance administrator with soliciting and processing travel reimbursements, honoraria and other internal and external receivables, to ensure timely dispersal of obligated payments using GEMS.
  • Manages  faculty discretionary account. Orders supplies and equipment using Buysite. 
  • Guides projects from onset to completion, with a particular focus on the faculty member’s many external, internal, and publication related deadlines, accountable to ensure deadlines are monitored, and met on time. May be responsible for obtaining permissions and copyright registrations.
  • Organizes on and off-campus meetings including lab meetings, dinners, workshops and other special events. Coordinates speakers, handling all travel arrangements and reimbursements using E Payment; handles speaker’s itinerary; makes room reservations in ASTRA, arranges for ground transportation.
  • Prepares faculty annual report using Interfolio. Prepares and coordinates letters of recommendation for graduate students and postdocs.
  • Creates lecture materials and schedules Zoom calls for graduate classes taught by the faculty member.  Prepares PowerPoint presentation materials and exams.
  • Assists with processing faculty recruitment cases as needed.
  • Provides confidential and high-level administrative support for a leader. Stays informed of activities relating to University programs and initiatives, apprising the leader of issues when deemed necessary. Coordinates information flow from leader's office to University. May staff Board of Directors meetings. Relieves leaders of administrative responsibilities.
  • Prepare special reports and summaries, assists in managing daily operation of the office, and may assist in developing administrative goals and policies. Maintains the leader's calendar, exercising considerable discretion and judgment as to priorities and effective use of the leader's time.
  • Coordinates special projects as directed by the leader. Prepares write ups for recommendations for operational and administrative problems. May manage a portion of the leader's budget, monitoring and reconciling accounts. Prepares financial and/or administrative reports.
  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of experience providing administrative support. Experience supporting faculty.
  • Experience in calendaring, planning special events, and scheduling complex appointments and high-profile meetings.
  • Experience in coordinating complex domestic and international travel.
  • Experience obtaining visas for international travel.
  • Familiarity with University financial policies and procedures and with domestic and international tax regulations.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.  Experience in project management.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of University financial systems – GEMS, Buysite, and purchase order (PO) process. 

Preferred Competencies

  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail.
  • Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.
  • Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication.
  • Handle highly confidential and sensitive materials and situations.
  • Effectively manage a heavy workload, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
  • A quick, self-learner with ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to future needs.
  • Works well independently and in a team environment.
  • Use appropriate resources and follow an issue through to resolution.
  • Demonstrated sound judgment with the ability to solve problems and make effective decisions.

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (preferred)
  • Three Professional References Contact Information (required)


When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family
 

Administration & Management


Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor


FLSA Status
 

Exempt


Pay Frequency
 

Monthly


Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5


Benefits Eligible
 

Yes


Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes


Drug Test Required
 

No


Health Screen Required
 

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No


Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.



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