Confidential Executive Associate

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY invites applications for a Confidential Executive Associate to provide executive-level support to the Dean. The role demands discretion, strategic thinking, and a proven ability to manage complex calendars and high-stakes projects.

The successful candidate will coordinate briefing materials, oversee travel, and liaise with senior leaders and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and six years' related experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and success building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey professional information clearly and accurately.
• Ability to multi-task, anticipate needs, and handle shifting priorities; strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrable project and budget management skills and familiarity with project management and budget planning software.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.
• Deep understanding of the landscape of public higher education.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential managerial and administrative support to the Dean.
• Ensure the Dean is fully prepared for all meetings, events and activities; prepare and/or coordinate all briefing materials.
• Oversee the Dean's complex calendar, scheduling travel and meetings with various constituents, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Handle confidential correspondence on behalf of the Dean and track referred items to completion.
• Assist in the preparation of concept presentations/briefs around new projects and initiatives.
• Manage reporting activities, analyze information, and assist with strategic planning and special initiatives.
• Liaise regularly with internal and external constituents as directed by the Dean.
• Document and streamline administrative workflow processes within the Dean's office.
• Serve as a key point of contact between senior leadership, internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Organize high-level meetings, develop agendas, prepare materials, capture key takeaways, and ensure follow-ups.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Oral communication

multi-tasking

organizational skills

project management

budget management

discretion

stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, founded in 2006, is nationally recognized for its innovative graduate programs. As one of only a handful public graduate journalism schools in the U.S., we prepare students from diverse backgrounds to produce high-quality journalism that serves the public interest.

Our programs include the Master of Arts in Journalism, a unique bilingual M.A. in Journalism for students fluent in English and Spanish, and the nation's first M.A. in Engagement Journalism. We equip the next generation of journalists with the reporting, writing, technological, and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in our rapidly evolving media landscape.

The Newmark J-School seeks a dynamic and experienced Confidential Executive Associate to provide executive-level, confidential administrative support to the Dean, and support with the management of strategic campus-wide projects. The Associate will undertake a variety of confidential and time-sensitive projects, ensuring project completion, and must be able to manage and prioritize the work in a manner consistent with goals of the Dean s office.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience supporting executive leaders in competitive, high-pressure environments. Ideally, they will have a deep understanding of the landscape of public higher education. They are entrepreneurial, innovative, and passionate about the role an executive leader plays in institutional success. They provide the Dean with the support needed to lead the school effectively, and bring a strong record of collaboration across successful teams.

This position is excluded from union representation.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide confidential managerial and administrative support to the Dean.
• Ensure the Dean is fully prepared for all meetings, events and activities; prepare and/or coordinate all briefing materials.
• Oversee the Dean's complex calendar, scheduling travel and meetings with various constituents, and ensure that all commitments, responsibilities and deadlines are met. Prepare agendas, reports, etc, in preparation for meetings.
• Handle confidential correspondence on behalf of the Dean, respond to requests on behalf of the Dean as appropriate, referring matters to other areas of the school as necessary; track referred items to completion.
• Research issues of importance and prepare briefs for the Dean. Assist in the preparation of concept presentations/briefs around new projects and initiatives.
• Manage reporting activities, analyze information, and assist with strategic planning, business process optimization, and special initiatives to enhance the school's effectiveness.
• Liaise regularly with internal and external constituents, as directed by the Dean.
• Document, develop and streamline, as appropriate, administrative workflow processes. Manage confidential record keeping, distributing information, and other departmental functions within the office of the Dean.
• Serve as a key point of contact, facilitating communication between senior leadership, internal departments, and external stakeholders with professionalism and discretion.
• Monitor and prioritize initiatives across the Dean's senior leadership team, including Center directors, acting as a go-to resource and first point of contact to reduce demands on the Dean's time.
• Organize high-level meetings and engagements, develop agendas, prepare materials, capturing key takeaways, and ensuring timely follow-ups.
• Oversee office operations, maintaining executive records, databases, and confidential files with precision and confidentiality.
• Serve as scribe for the Dean for meetings.
• Provide additional executive support to the Dean's Office and other senior leadership as needed, adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Dean.

This position is in-person with the possibility of remote work on Fridays.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

Preferred qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and success building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey professional information clearly and accurately.
• Ability to multi-task, anticipate needs, and handle shifting priorities; strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work accurately in a fast-paced environment with short turnaround deadlines, managing multiple assignments and projects simultaneously, and following through on issues in a timely manner, working under pressure and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrable project and budget management skills and familiarity with project management and budget planning software.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism; a collaborative team player.
• Deep understanding of the landscape of public higher education.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Supports a Campus or University Executive as a confidential assistant in a variety of activities and initiatives as a key team member.

• 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

$102,408 - $109,898 (as of 9/1/26 $105,992 - $113,745).Salary commensurate with education and experience.

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.

CLOSING DATE

August 19, 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.