Part-Time Executive Administrative Assistant, Finance & Administration

RISD - Rhode Island School of Design; Washington Place (TN); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a part-time Administrative Assistant to join Finance and Administration. The Administrative Assistant provides comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Office of Finance and Administration and reports directly to the Director of the Office of the SVP for Finance and Administration.

This position serves as the first point of contact for the office and plays an essential role in ensuring efficient daily operations, exceptional customer

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent education and/or relevant work experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably supporting senior or executive leadership.
• Experience in higher education or a complex nonprofit organization is a plus.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated commitment to providing responsive, high-quality customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Director of Finance and Administration and the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.
• Manage complex calendars, schedule meetings, coordinate travel, and resolve scheduling conflicts while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
• Screen calls, visitors, and correspondence, responding independently when appropriate and routing matters to the appropriate individual.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, agendas, meeting materials, and other documents using a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
• Maintain confidential files and records in accordance with institutional policies and best practices.
• Coordinate daily office operations, ensuring efficient workflows and excellent customer service.
• Order and maintain office supplies and equipment.
• Process invoices, purchase requisitions, reimbursements, procurement card transactions, and other administrative financial activities.
• Maintain electronic filing systems and departmental records.
• Coordinate logistics for divisional meetings, retreats, workshops, and campus events.
• Schedule meeting locations, catering, technology, and other support services.
• Prepare meeting agendas and materials.
• Record meeting minutes, distribute documentation, and track follow-up action items.
• Support Board of Trustees committee meetings and other executive-level meetings by assisting with logistics, materials preparation, and scheduling.
• Serve as a welcoming and professional representative of the Office of Finance and Administration.
• Respond to inquiries from faculty, staff, students, trustees, vendors, and external partners.
• Assist in preparing internal communications, announcements, and divisional updates.
• Maintain departmental distribution lists, websites, and shared resources as assigned.
• Assist the Director in tracking divisional initiatives, projects, and deadlines.
• Maintain project schedules, task lists, and documentation.
• Support policy management activities by organizing files, scheduling meetings, maintaining records, and assisting with communications related to institutional policies.
• Compile information and prepare routine reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Assist with budget tracking, purchasing, and administrative recordkeeping.
• Coordinate onboarding logistics for new staff within the division.
• Recommend improvements to administrative processes and office procedures to enhance efficiency and customer service.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Planning

Time-management

Communication

Customer service

Discretion/ confidentiality

Scheduling meetings

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Virtual meeting platforms

Document management tools

Enterprise administrative systems

Job description

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a part-time Administrative Assistant to join Finance and Administration. The Administrative Assistant provides comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Office of Finance and Administration and reports directly to the Director of the Office of the SVP for Finance and Administration.

This position serves as the first point of contact for the office and plays an essential role in ensuring efficient daily operations, exceptional customer