Confidential Executive Associate

The City University of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City University of New York's SPS seeks a Confidential Executive Associate reporting to the Dean to manage the Dean's Office operations, projects, and communications. The role coordinates multiple offices, prepares briefing materials, and supports senior leadership in advancing executive priorities, with hybrid work and 70% onsite.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of initiatives, organizing meetings, maintaining systems for tracking priorities, and providing backup executive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and six years' related experience required.
• Progressively responsible experience in executive administration, project management, operations, or a related area.
• Experience supporting executive-level administration preferred.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion commitment.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of special projects and initiatives under the Dean's purview.
• Organizes the administrative operations of the Dean’s Office.
• Coordinates the flow of information, requests, and materials into/out of the Dean's Office.
• Prepares briefing materials, reports, presentations, and background research.
• Coordinates and supports Dean's Cabinet and executive meetings.
• Represents the Dean's Office to senior officers and committees.
• Independently manages assigned administrative processes and responsibilities.
• Develops and maintains systems for tracking executive priorities and deadlines.
• Works with SPS offices to coordinate cross-functional projects.
• Identifies administrative or operational issues and coordinates resolution.
• Manages confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Provides backup executive administrative support to the Dean as needed.

Skills

Executive administration

Project management

Operations

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Microsoft Office

Time management

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.

Reporting to the Dean, the Confidential Executive Associate serves as a key member of the Dean's Office, managing executive office operations and a portfolio of projects, initiatives, and administrative responsibilities under the Dean's purview. The position coordinates activities involving multiple School offices, monitors key initiatives and deliverables, interfaces with other senior officers on behalf of the dean, manages information and communications related to assigned areas of responsibility, and provides the Dean with overall office and operational management, research, briefing materials, and other support necessary to advance executive priorities. The position also provides backup executive administrative support to the Dean when the Confidential Executive Assistant is unavailable.

• Manages a portfolio of special projects and initiatives under the Dean's purview, developing timelines, coordinating stakeholders, monitoring progress and deliverables, and following up on outstanding items.
• Organizes the administrative operations of the Dean’s Office, proactively identifying operational needs and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Coordinates the flow of information, requests, and materials into and out of the Dean's Office and ensures appropriate follow-up with responsible offices.
• Prepares briefing materials, reports, presentations, correspondence, meeting materials, and background research for the Dean.
• Coordinates and supports Dean's Cabinet, Extended Cabinet, and other executive-level meetings, including agenda development, materials, tracking decisions and action items, and follow-up.
• Represents the Dean's Office to other senior officers, on committees, working groups, special initiatives, and implementation efforts within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Independently manages assigned administrative processes and responsibilities under the Dean's purview.
• Develops and maintains systems for tracking executive priorities, projects, deadlines, requests, and follow-up.
• Works with offices throughout SPS to coordinate implementation of projects and administrative initiatives involving multiple functional areas.
• Identifies administrative or operational issues requiring attention and coordinates with appropriate offices to facilitate resolution.
• Manages confidential and sensitive information and communications requiring discretion.
• Provides backup executive administrative support to the Dean when the Executive Assistant is unavailable, including calendar and meeting coordination, correspondence, preparation of materials, and other time-sensitive administrative needs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Note

• The position requires flexibility in work schedule, including the ability to work outside of regular business hours as needed to support the operational needs of the Dean’s Office.
• Until further notice, work will be performed in a hybrid manner with 70% onsite presence.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and six years' related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Progressively responsible experience in executive administration, project management, operations, or a related area, preferably within higher education, government, nonprofit, or another complex organizational environment; experience supporting executive-level administration preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, including establishing timelines, monitoring deliverables, and coordinating follow-up.
• Excellent organizational and time-management and office management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other materials for senior-level audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with individuals across different levels and functional areas of an organization.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and sound judgment, with the ability to independently identify and address administrative and operational issues within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong technology skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using technology to organize, track, and manage projects, priorities, and information.
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality, including consistently reporting to work as scheduled and being prepared to carry out assigned responsibilities while effectively meeting the operational demands of a fast-paced executive office.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Cuny Title Overview

• Organizes and manages projects involving different areas of the Campus or University community, with responsibility for project outcomes
• Represents the Executive's unit in Campus or University-wide activities, including committees, special initiatives, and implementation of new processes or technology
• Independently carries out a portfolio of responsibilities under the Executive's purview, such as approvals, student interactions, and monitoring of key activities
• Manages communications within and outside the unit related to areas of responsibility
• May serve as Manager of a large Executive Office
• Performs related duties as assigned.

This position is excluded from union representation.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

Compensation And Benefits

Salary commensurate with education and experience, from $102,460 - $109,519.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

• Applicants must attach a resume and cover letter.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

CLOSING DATE

October 28, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32877

Location: School of Professional Studies

Job Type: Full-Time