The Executive Assistant to the President is responsible for providing comprehensive support to the President, serving as a liaison to the Board of Trustees and Cabinet, and manages the executive office operations. Reporting directly to the President, the Executive Assistant provides executive support in a one-on-one working relationship. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the Office of the President.
This dynamic position requires the ability to anticipate needs, think critically, and offer solutions to problems with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. The Executive Assistant must have the ability to work independently on tasks and projects, from conception to completion, and thrive in a multi-faceted role which requires the ability to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion. This is an onsite position.
The mission of Cornish is to provide students aspiring to become practicing artists with an educational program of the highest possible quality, in an environment that nurtures creativity and intellectual curiosity, while preparing them to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators. Cornish realizes this mission by offering baccalaureate studies in the performing and visual arts and by serving as a focal point in the community for public presentation, artistic criticism, participation and discussion of the arts.
If you are looking for a culture and community that promotes and supports creative engagement, consider Cornish. We offer generous paid medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, paid time-off and holidays.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide sophisticated calendar management for the President. Prioritize inquiries and requests while troubleshooting conflicts; make judgments and recommendations to ensure smooth day-to-day engagements.
- Complete a broad variety of administrative tasks that facilitate the President’s ability to effectively lead the organization, including: assisting with special projects; designing and producing complex documents, reports, and presentations; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and outside parties; composing and preparing correspondence; maintaining contact lists; making travel arrangements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the President, including those of a highly confidential or critical nature. Researches and prioritizes before determining the appropriate course of action, referral, or response, exercising judgement to reflect President’s style and organization policy. Communicates directly, and on behalf of the President.
- Act as a liaison and provide support to the Board of Trustees. Arrange and handle all logistics for Board meetings and events, such as scheduling meetings; drafting agendas; developing, compiling, and distributing presentation materials; and recording meeting minutes.
- Work closely with the President to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
- Coordinate all Cabinet/Executive Team and Board of Trustees meetings and retreats and assist with other meetings and events as needed.
- Provide "gatekeeper" and "gateway" role, providing a bridge for smooth communication between the President and team, demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust, and support with the Cabinet and Board of Trustees.
- Work with the Cabinet and Board of Trustees to coordinate the President’s outreach activities. Follow up on contacts made by the President to cultivate ongoing relationships.
- Maintain discretion and confidentiality in relationships with the President and Board members.
- Represent the College and the Office of the President in a positive light through great follow-through skills and sound judgment. Welcome all guests by greeting them in a professional manner, in person or on the phone; answering or directing inquiries.
- Hire, supervise, schedule and approve timesheets for work study students
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience supporting a C-suite executive, or seven years of experience supporting a C-suite executive
- Business acumen - has a strong business sense and can decipher priorities and make sound judgment calls when needed.
- Commitment to excellence - perform duties at the highest level possible on a consistent basis.
- Excellent communicator - able to interact with people of all levels in a confident, professional manner.
- Demonstrate ability and temperament to work with highly sensitive information.
- Team player - have team-oriented experience and collaborative approach.
- Service focus - dedicated to meeting the expectations of the President, Cabinet and Board of Trustees by maintaining effective relationships.
- Ability to think creatively and with a sense of urgency to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround.
- Expert proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Work Place; ability to design and edit graphic presentations and materials.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and time management skills; proven ability to meet deadlines. Make appropriate, informed decisions regarding priorities and available time.
- Exceptional organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail.
- High degree of professionalism in dealing with diverse groups of people, including Board members, senior executives, staff, faculty, students, community leaders, donors, and other external partners.
- Ability to complete a high volume of tasks and projects with little or no guidance.
- Able to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced environment and switch gears at a moment’s notice; performs additional duties as assigned by executives.
- Provide hospitality to all guests and help to create a welcoming environment; provide event management support as requested.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in a related field.
- Significant executive support experience, including supporting C-level executives. Working with nonprofit board experience is highly-preferred.
- Three years’ experience in increasingly complex staff support and/or program administration.
- Ability to analyze and visualize quantitative data.
- Three years managing an operating budget in an educational or other highly-regulated environment.
- Passion for the arts and supporting the Seattle arts community.
Department: President’s Office
Reports To: President
Supervises: Administrative Assistants/Department Coordinators and Work Study Students
Pay Grade: Exempt; Full-time
Compensation: $68,000 - $75,000
Modality: In-Person position
Application Procedures
Please submit the following items to our email, Careers@Cornish.edu:
1) Cover Letter or Letter of Interest
2) Resume or C.V.
3) Cornish Employment Application Form
Equal Opportunity Statement
Cornish commits to demonstrating respect for individual expression and integrity; to promoting the equality of opportunity and rights of all persons within the community and to actively encouraging and maintaining the representation and inclusion of diverse cultures and backgrounds within the student body, faculty, staff and curricula.
We believe that diversity refers to a number of human qualities and characteristics. National origin, race, gender, age, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities are characteristics that combine in unique ways, forming the multiple identities we all hold. Those diverse characteristics contribute positively to the environment of Cornish and to an education that accurately reflects and contributes to the complex interplay of art, culture and society.
We hold ourselves responsible to fulfill the mission of Cornish by preparing students “to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators,” and believe that the mission is best served by actively cultivating a positive environment in which to explore and express the diverse perspectives of a pluralistic society.
Cornish College of the Arts is an equal opportunity employer intent on enriching the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students. Our goal is to create an intercultural learning environment comprised of people with varied experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups for all open positions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $68,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Work Location: In person