Administrative Assistant

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement support

Paid holidays

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is seeking an experienced administrative assistant to support senior leaders. The role involves managing calendars, travel arrangements, visa applications, and coordinating meetings with food/beverage as needed.

You will ensure tasks are organized and deadlines met across the firm’s interdisciplinary teams. Compensation typically ranges from $55,000 to $75,000, with consideration of experience, location, and qualifications.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a high-functioning administrative assistant to senior leaders.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Working familiarity with Google Suite.
• Exhibits initiative, problem solving, and decision making with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Supports and prioritizes the needs of assigned Principals and their teams.
• Manages multiple calendars and schedules travel arrangements and visa applications.
• Schedules external meetings, sets up conference rooms, and coordinates video conferencing.
• Organizes tasks by urgency and maintains efficient day-to-day operations.
• Completes timesheets, expense reports and other tasks to meet business commitments.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Google Suite

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge. Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work. Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm. Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential. Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Responsibilities Supports and prioritizes the needs of assigned Principals and their teams. Manages and coordinates multiple calendars, both individual and team specific. Prepares all travel arrangements and documentation; prepares and submits visa applications when necessary. Schedules external meetings and assists with set-up of conference rooms, including food and beverage when required, video conferencing, and Zoom meetings. Identifies, organizes, and implements administrative projects independently in accordance with deadlines. Ensures architectural licenses are updated and accurate along with maintaining AIA credits for recording, in tandem with the Licensure Department. Responsible for organizing tasks by level of urgency. Ensure the day-to-day tasks are well organized and efficient. Perform other support tasks as assigned, including timesheets, expense reports. Dedicates necessary time beyond scheduled hours (including last minute requests) as required to meet business commitments.

Minimum Qualifications Minimum of 5 years experience as a high functioning administrative assistant to senior leaders. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills. Working familiarity with Google Suite Exhibits initiative, problem solving, and decision making quality with a high attention to detail. Effectively communicates with supervisors through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $55,000 to $75,000.

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, engineers, and planners renowned for designing buildings, interiors, and public spaces that push the boundaries of technical and environmental innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams collaborate across an international network of studios to deliver projects of lasting impact. Through our built work, research, and advocacy, we are advancing strategies to decarbonize the built environment. Learn more about our commitment to climate action.

Working at SOM

Our practice was built to champion inclusivity of expertise, people, and ideas. Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that equips our teams to face new challenges. Our studio culture offers opportunities for mentorship, growth, and leadership across project teams, offices, and employee resource groups.

SOM is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we have been recognized with the highest ranking awarded on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. We publish an annual Impact Report as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing equity in our practice and the profession.

Our Benefits

• We offer medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance.
• We also offer retirement support, free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members, workplace flexibility, paid holidays, family leave, and paid time off.
• We reimburse costs for professional licenses, certifications, and exams, and offer specialized, in-house career development and mentorship programs designed to help you advance your knowledge and expertise.

Notice to Applicants

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB.