Executive Assistant

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Tuition assistance

Transit/eco pass

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder is seeking an Executive Assistant and Operations Manager for the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. The role translates priorities into action, anticipates needs, and drives cross-campus collaboration to advance institutional priorities.

The position requires strong discretion, project management, and the ability to work independently across high-priority initiatives within Student Life.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of job-related experience.
• High level of discretion, judgment, and confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a strategic operational partner to the Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, aligning priorities with Student Life goals.
• Coordinates and maintains calendars and travel, managing complex scheduling and meetings.
• Drafts communications and prepares materials to support decision-making and leadership.
• Oversees administrative policies and processes, driving efficiency and accountability.
• Leads and supports training for administrative staff and develops shared practices.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Master's degree or graduate coursework in higher education

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

Vice Chancellor for Student Life (VCSL)

encouragesapplications for an Executive Assistant! Reporting directly to theAssociate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, the Executive Assistantand Operations Manager serves as a strategic administrative supportpartner to the Vice Chancellor and a key team member within theOffice of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life. This position goes beyond traditional executive support. TheExecutive Assistant and Operations Manager translates prioritiesinto action by anticipating needs, connecting people and resources,managing complex initiatives, improving organizational processes,and ensuring accountability and follow-through. The position servesas a trusted thought partner and problem solver who can moveseamlessly between executive-level priorities and the operationaldetails required to bring those priorities to life. Working with a high degree of independence, the position handlescomplex and contending priorities and exercises significantjudgment, discretion, confidentiality, and political acuity. Theposition regularly works across Student Life and the broaderUniversity of Colorado Boulder community to build alignment, removebarriers, facilitate collaboration, and advance institutionalpriorities. The Executive Assistant and Operations Manager will play a criticalrole in strengthening the infrastructure and capacity of the Officeof the Vice Chancellor for Student Life during a period ofcontinued organizational growth and transformation. This includes developing and improving systems and processes,managing strategic projects, and creating an environment in whichthe Vice Chancellor and Student Life leadership can focus theirtime and energy on the University's highest priorities. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

The Division of Student Life consists of 30 departments thatprovide student support and services dedicated to helping studentsbecome successful, curious, competent individuals during their timeat CU Boulder.

Vice Chancellor for Student Life (VCSL)

The first priority of the Division of Student Life is students'development as successful, intellectually curious learners and ashealthy, competent, active citizens of the world. Student Lifeencompasses all the basic support services that enhance theclassroom experience: where students eat, sleep, build community,make friends, and where students can go when they need help. Student Life is committed to enhancing the factors that lead toacademic success while mitigating the obstacles that may impedeprogress. In collaboration with other members of the campuscommunity, the division provides educational opportunities,resources, and support to help each individual student reach theiracademic and personal goals. The Division supports student successby creating inclusive environments that address the social,emotional, physical, spiritual, professional, and academic needs ofall students in order to increase retention, academic progress, andgraduation rates.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

EXECUTIVE SUPPORT

• Serves as a strategic operational partner to the ViceChancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life,anticipating needs, managing contending priorities, and ensuringtheir time and attention are strategically aligned with StudentLife priorities.
• Coordinates and maintains the Vice Chancellor's and AssociateVice Chancellor’s calendars, including complex scheduling,leadership-level meetings, conference rooms, travel, and meetinglogistics, while exercising independent judgment to establishpriorities and resolve conflicts.
• Serves as a key point of contact and gatekeeper for seniorStudent Life leaders, responding to inquiries, providinginformation, appropriately directing matters, and minimizinginterruptions while maintaining a high level of discretion andconfidentiality.
• Anticipates the needs of the senior Student Life Leaders,including time management, meeting preparation, logistical responseto unanticipated events, and emerging priorities, and takesinitiative to identify and complete effective solutions.
• Researches, gathers, organizes, and summarizes information andprepares briefings, meeting materials, presentations,correspondence, and other documents to support the ViceChancellor's decision-making and leadership.
• Ensures meetings and events involving the senior Student Lifeleaders are implemented at the highest level, including preparationof agendas and materials, logistical coordination, dissemination ofminutes and action items, and follow-up to ensure appropriateresolution.
• Coordinates and supports Board of Regents, Chancellor,President, and other senior leadership activities, executivesearches, leadership transitions, and onboarding, asrequested.
• Drafts, reviews, edits, and coordinates communications onbehalf of senior Student Life leaders, including routine and urgentcommunications related to Student Life priorities and studentcrises when directed.
• Coordinates travel arrangements and reimbursements for the ViceChancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor and provides appropriateadministrative support for executive personnel processes.
• Works closely with executive assistants and senioradministrative partners across the university to coordinatecalendars, routine and urgent meetings, and cross-campuspriorities.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required to support theVice Chancellor and respond to routine or urgent needs.

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

• Oversees the administrative and operational functions of theOffice of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life, proactivelydeveloping systems, structures, and workflows that strengthenorganizational effectiveness and executive capacity.
• Creates, reviews, and revises administrative policies,procedures, and processes and leads continuous improvement effortsdesigned to increase efficiency, consistency, accountability, andquality of service.
• Serves as an internal change agent, helping the Office of theVice Chancellor translate emerging priorities and organizationalchanges into effective implementation.
• Provides guidance regarding university and Student Lifepolicies and procedures, including travel, reimbursement,purchasing, contracts, official functions, personnel processes, andother administrative activities.
• Maintains systems for tracking regularly scheduled activities,target dates, rosters, commitments, and executive priorities andproactively identifies needs, risks, and opportunities requiringattention.
• Coordinates office space planning, technology, equipment, andother operational needs and resources necessary for the effectivefunctioning of the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
• Serves as a lead resource for administrative professionalssupporting Student Life leadership, developing training, sharedpractices, and resources that strengthen administrative capacityacross Student Life.
• Ensures administrative activities and expenditures adhere toUniversity of Colorado policies and procedures.

DIVISION PROJECTS AND EVENTS

• Leads and coordinates priority Student Life initiatives andspecial projects on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, includingdivision-wide events and committees, high-impact initiatives, datarequests, conferences, and other complex projects.
• Translates strategic priorities into actionable plans,timelines, responsibilities, and mechanisms for accountability andfollow-through, identifying barriers and developing solutions tomaintain momentum.
• Provides administrative and logistical leadership for regularlyoccurring Student Life events and meetings, including town halls,leadership meetings, retreats, staff recognition, professionaldevelopment, conferences, and other major activities.
• Coordinates leadership-level job searches, including candidateinterviews, travel and reimbursements, campus participation,collection and synthesis of feedback, and related logistics.
• Tracks requests for the Vice Chancellor and Student Lifeexecutive leadership to serve on committees, give presentations,provide input or recommendations on policies or legislation, orparticipate in other university activities; works with leadershipto appropriately delegate and respond and ensuresfollow-through.
• Builds and maintains productive working relationships withacademic and administrative leaders and their staff and serves as aconnector across Student Life and the broader university tofacilitate collaboration and remove barriers to progress.

SUPERVISION

• Provides supervision supporting the Office of the ViceChancellor for Student Life, including hiring, training,evaluation, scheduling, and performance management.
• Ensures appropriate coverage and continuity of operationswithin the Office of the Vice Chancellor and establishes clearexpectations, workflows, and standards for high-qualityservice.
• Provides mentorship and professional development opportunitiesfor student employees and administrative staff while building theircapacity to contribute effectively to the work of the Office.
• Leads and supports training and professional development foradministrative professionals across Student Life, promotingconsistent practices and strengthening the overall administrativecapacity of the Division.
• Promotes and models a positive, welcoming, collaborative,accountable, and customer-focused culture within the Office of theVice Chancellor.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

• Assists with emerging priorities, special initiatives, andtime-sensitive needs of the Vice Chancellor and Student Life.
• Responds flexibly to evolving organizational needs and assumesadditional responsibilities that support the mission, strategicpriorities, and effective operation of Student Life.

What You Should Know

This is a hybrid position with some remote work hours available.The work schedule can vary due to work priorities and demands ofmeetings and special events.

What We Can Offer

• The salary range for this position is $80,000-$98,000.
• Additional Compensation Details: Onboarding assistance may beavailable per Student Life guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well-being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one ofForbes' America's BestLarge Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Coloradoand #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks andprograms through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be collaborative. Be inclusive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; a combination ofeducation may substitute.
• 5 years of job-related experience.
• Experience with independent problem-solving.

What You Will Need

• High level of discretion, judgment, and confidentialityexercised in the role.
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding environment,balancing multiple priorities and meeting set due dates.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative to anticipateand address potential problems.
• Ability to quickly assess a situation and initiate anappropriate action or response.
• High level of attention to detail and organizationalskills.
• Strong professional written and verbal communication skills,including ability to appropriately tailor communication methodsbased on audience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and inwriting.
• Demonstrated skill in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to support individuals with various workingstyles.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Graduate coursework or a master's degree in higher education,student affairs, public administration, or a related field.
• 1 year of experience working in a similar role.
• Experience working in Student Affairs.
• Experience supporting senior-level leaders or teams.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: [e-mail]