Executive Assistant to the President

Lake Forest College; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Forest College is seeking an Executive Assistant to the President to provide high-level, strategic, and confidential support. The role manages the President’s time, priorities, communications, and engagements while serving as a trusted liaison to the Board, Cabinet, Leadership Team, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

Responsibilities include managing the Office of the President, coordinating complex schedules and travel, preparing briefing materials, and supporting governance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience supporting a senior executive.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Support President with high-level, confidential administrative tasks.
• Manage the Office of the President operations, including budgets and records.
• Coordinate calendars, travel, and meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and agendas.
• Liaise with Board of Trustees, Cabinet, and Leadership Team.
• Plan events and presidential engagements and support fundraising activities.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Discretion

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Problem solving

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

The Executive Assistant to the President provides high-level, strategic, and confidential support to the President and manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President. Serving as a trusted member of the team and representative of the President’s Office, the Executive Assistant exercises exceptional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and initiative in managing the President’s time, priorities, relationships, communications, and engagements.The Executive Assistant serves as a key liaison among the President, Board of Trustees, Cabinet and Leadership Team, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, parents, community leaders, and other constituents. The position works closely with the Chief of Staff and senior leaders to advance presidential and institutional priorities and ensure effective coordination and follow-through.

Essential Responsibilities

Executive Support and Office Management

• Serve as a trusted executive assistant to the President, anticipating needs, managing competing priorities, and ensuring timely follow-through.
• Manage the daily operations of the Office of the President, including systems, records, budgets, correspondence, and special projects.
• Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for the President, representing the Office with high levels of professionalism, warmth, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Partner with the Chief of Staff to coordinate presidential priorities, communications, meetings, projects, and institutional initiatives.
• Track commitments, decisions, and action items and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Handle highly confidential personnel, governance, legal, donor, student, and institutional matters with discretion.

Calendar, Travel, and Presidential Readiness

• Manage the President’s complex calendar, prioritizing requests and ensuring effective use of the President’s time.
• Serve as a thoughtful gatekeeper, determining when matters require presidential attention and when they can be delegated or redirected.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, talking points, background information, and schedules for meetings and engagements.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel, including itineraries, logistics, expenses, and reimbursements.

Communications and Governance

• Manage presidential correspondence and draft, edit, and proofread communications in the President’s voice.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for the President’s work with the Board of Trustees and its committees, in partnership with the Secretary of the College.
• Support preparation for Board, Cabinet, Leadership Team, and presidential committee meetings.

Events and External Engagement

• Coordinate presidential and College-wide events, formal protocol events, and high-profile engagements.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing, Advancement, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Facilities, and other offices to ensure successful events and engagements.
• Meet regularly and communicate effectively with the President’s spouse, who plays a key role in supporting the work of the College, particularly events sponsored by the President’s OfficeSupport the President’s relationships with trustees, donors, alumni, parents, community leaders, government officials, civic organizations, and other strategic constituents.
• Support presidential activities related to fundraising, stewardship, strategic planning, community relations, and other institutional priorities.

Other Responsibilities

• Monitor the Office of the President’s operating budget and process expenditures in accordance with College policies.
• Maintain systems that promote efficiency, accountability, communication, and follow-through.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the President.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting a senior executive, preferably in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or another complex, collaborative environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft polished executive correspondence.
• Outstanding organizational, project management, prioritization, and follow-through skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, anticipate needs, solve problems, and manage competing priorities.
• Exceptional discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and a calm, welcoming demeanor.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Experience in higher education and familiarity with the operations and governance of a liberal arts college strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

• This is an exempt position requiring a strong on-campus presence and flexibility to support the priorities of the Office of the President.
• Evening and weekend work is occasionally required for College events, presidential engagements, Board meetings, commencement, and other institutional activities.