Executive Assistant to the Dean

Ontario Tech University; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Oshawa, Ontario is seeking an Executive Assistant to the Dean. This full-time position provides confidential and professional executive support, requires strong organizational skills, and demands confidentiality in handling sensitive matters. Applicants should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in senior administrative roles, preferably in an academic environment. The expected start date is September 29, 2025.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in a senior administrative support role.
• Experience in an academic environment is preferred.
• Administrative support to a senior level is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-level confidentiality and sensitivity regarding personnel matters.
• Organize and coordinate complex schedules for the Dean.
• Prepare materials for meetings and facilitate recruitment of faculty.

Skills

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Problem resolution

Team environment

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Intermediate in MS Word

Intermediate in Excel

Intermediate in PowerPoint

Education

Post-secondary education (2 years)

Job description

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Tracking Code: req1742

Faculty/Department: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Non-Union Hiring Zone: Job Level 7 - $60,500 - $75,900

Posting Date: September 18, 2025

Closing Date: September 25, 2025 (7:00 pm EST)

Job Summary

The Executive Assistant, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science provides efficient, professional and confidential, executive level support to the Dean. This includes managing activities that support the Dean’s role both internal and external to the Faculty and University. Duties are complex, varied and often of a highly confidential nature.

Nature of work

Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science (FEAS), the Executive Assistant to the Dean is a strong, positive, collaborative and supportive presence for the Dean’s office, Faculty, Staff and the University. The complex and competing nature of the responsibilities involved in this role requires a highly organized individual who can set priorities, perform duties independently as required and also have the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. The incumbent must possess a strong sense of initiative and decision making to investigate and resolve complex issues as they arise. Daily activities involve regular interaction with staff, faculty, executive offices, and high-level internal and external contacts, with exposure to confidential information requiring considerable use of tact, diplomacy, discretion and excellent judgement.

Responsibilities/accountabilities

• Operates at the highest level of sensitivity and confidentiality about personnel and operational matters and effectively manages unique situations with discretion; maintain the Faculty’s confidentiality practices
• Prioritizes and screens matters requiring the Dean’s attention
• When appropriate, resolves issues/concerns and requests and composes responses for the Dean’s review. When appropriate responds on behalf of the Dean
• Applies knowledge and continuously gathers priorities of the Faculty and the activities of the Dean to organize and coordinate a complex schedule
• Assess, confirms and communicates importance of requests for meetings or changes in meeting schedules and coordinates the Dean’s calendar
• Ensures the Dean is prepared with the appropriate materials for meetings well in advance
• Coordinates Committee and Faculty Council meetings, including assisting in setting agendas; preparing meeting materials, takes and distributes minutes, and follows up on action items
• Administers many highly-confidential internal processes including the career-progression processes for both Tenured/Tenure-Tracked and Teaching Faculty appointments
• Maintains highly-confidential and sensitive information regarding the stakeholders of the Faculty and University
• Assists the Dean with human resources and labour relations grievance processes
• Review both internal and external correspondence; compose and edit responses, reports, and briefing notes
• Coordinates Dean’s travel arrangements including managing registrations, accommodations, logistical arrangements, and preparations of itineraries
• Tracks monthly attendance records for all administrative and managerial staff
• Facilitates recruitment of faculty and staff, ensuring institutional processes are adhered to
• Other related duties as assigned

Required Skills

• Attention to detail, confidentiality and the ability to manage high volume and multiple demands
• Extensive knowledge of university programs, systems, policies, procedures, governance and administrative activities
• Demonstrated experience in problem resolution, using sound guiding principles
• Foster and maintain a team environment
• Superior organizational and time management skills and the ability to work well under pressure
• Acts with integrity and maintains a high level of confidentiality
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to handle faculty, staff and students with tact and diplomacy
• Intermediate in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Required Education

• Post-secondary education consisting of two academic years or equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered for this role

* Verification of Academic credentials may be required

Required Experience

• A minimum of three to five years of experience in a senior administrative support role, preferably in an academic environment
• Experience working in an administrative support role to a senior level is preferred
• Administrative experience in an academic environment, including knowledge of university policies and procedures

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until September 25, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people\'s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the university’s policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy.

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date

9/29/2025