Executive Assistant

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

UNCW is seeking an Executive Assistant to provide high‑level administrative support to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and the Office of University Relations. The role manages calendars, meetings, travel, and office operations, coordinating with senior leaders and supporting board activities.

The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, discretion, and proficiency with Mac, Office 365, and the university's project management system.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience.
• Alternative: two‑year secretarial or business program plus one year of experience in a similar role.
• Bachelor's degree preferred or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑level administrative support to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and OUR.
• Manage CMCO’s calendar, meetings, travel, and priorities; coordinate with senior leaders.
• Support quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and other high‑level university activities.
• Serve as HR liaison and help with office operations, purchasing, and records.

Education

High school diploma

2-year secretarial or business program

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Mac & Apple products

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.
This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.
Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life—creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $55,000 - $61,154

Recruitment Range Details

The salary range advertised is the designated recruitment range for this classification. Final salary offers will be determined by the candidate’s education, relevant experience, internal equity alignment, and departmental budgetary parameters.

Vacancy Number

Vacancy Number S02921

Position Title

Position Title Executive Assistant

Working Title

Working Title Executive Assistant

Competency Level Journey

Home Department

Home Department Office of University Relations - 25800

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The mission of the Office of University Relations is to strengthen brand identity and increase local, regional and national awareness of the UNCW mission; enhance internal communications between administration and faculty/students and among cross-departmental colleagues; and create and implement more effective communications processes for OUR support requests, media relations, campus and crisis communications, etc.

College

College Chancellor - 25000 College

College/School Information

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world‑class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.
A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.
The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Location of Workplace

Location of Workplace Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO), a senior university administrator, and supports the effective day-to‑day operations of the Office of University Relations (OUR). The position manages the CMCO’s calendar, meetings, travel and administrative priorities; coordinates activities involving senior university leaders and their offices; and supports quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and other high‑level university activities.

The Executive Assistant serves as a key administrative point of contact for the CMCO and must exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy and professionalism when working with university leaders and internal and external constituents. The position assesses requests and circumstances, provides relevant information and recommendations, and carries out decisions and priorities established by the CMCO and/or designated OUR leaders. The position requires initiative and good judgment while maintaining clear alignment with leadership direction.

The position operates in a fast‑paced environment where schedules and priorities may change quickly. As needed during issues management or other time‑sensitive situations, the Executive Assistant may monitor designated email inboxes, telephone calls and other communication platforms; gather and organize information; identify matters requiring attention; and route or respond to inquiries according to established guidance. The position supports and facilitates decision‑making but does not independently establish communications strategy, institutional positions or executive priorities.

The position also coordinates key administrative and operational functions for OUR , including office and building operations, departmental travel and purchasing, equipment inventories, records, administrative student worker scheduling and other office needs. The Executive Assistant serves as the departmental HR liaison and leavekeeper and provides backup support for designated business and project management functions.

Strong organizational, technological, written and verbal communication skills are essential. The Executive Assistant must be proactive, highly accurate, responsive and skilled at anticipating administrative and operational needs. The position works closely with Information Technology and other campus partners and must maintain a strong working knowledge of OUR and the broader university to effectively support the CMCO , OUR leadership and departmental operations.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Graduation from high school and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Graduation of a two‑year secretarial science or business administration program and one year of experience as described above; or Graduation from a four‑year college or university, preferably with major emphasis on Business administration or a related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred education, professional skills and experience

• Proficiency in working with Mac and Apple products, Microsoft Office 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Sharepoint and OUR’s project management system.
• Proficiency in all campus financial, inventory and personnel systems.
• Ability to learn additional systems and software as needed to support the work of the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

FTE

FTE 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Months Per Year

Months Per Year 12 Months

Work Days

Work Days Monday - Friday

Type of Position

Type of Position Permanent

Position Number

Position Number 7544

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 09/11/2026

Posting Close Date

Posting Close Date 09/25/2026

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.