Principal Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Athletics

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Insurance (medical, dental, life)

Retirement benefits

Employee tuition waiver

Job summary

Washington State University in Pullman, WA seeks a Principal Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Athletics. You will provide executive administrative support and coordinate day-to-day operations for the Director’s office.

Responsibilities include managing executive calendars, communications, coordinating meetings and events, maintaining procedures and records, and supporting department initiatives. The role handles confidential information and requires discretion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field; four years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Experience managing multiple tasks with sound decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive administrative support and coordinate day-to-day operations of the Director’s Office.
• Manage executive scheduling, communications, meetings and events, and maintain procedures and records.
• Coordinate with Athletics administrators, staff, donors, alumni and partners to ensure timely completion of tasks.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Four years of progressively responsible management experience

Ability to work as part of a team

Strong written and verbal communication

Tools

Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel)

Database systems

Mainframe systems

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

November 17, 2026

Available Title(s)

1113-YN_ADMINPRO - Principal Assistant

Business Title

Principal Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Athletics

Employee Type

Admin. Professional

Position Details

As the Principal Assistant, you will provide executive administrative support and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Director of Athletics’ Office. Your responsibilities include managing executive scheduling and communications, coordinating meetings and events, maintaining administrative procedures and records, facilitating internal and external relationships, and supporting the implementation of departmental initiatives.

In this role you will exercise independent judgment and discretion in prioritizing requests, resolving administrative issues, coordinating resources, and making commitments within delegated authority that affect departmental operations. You serve as a primary administrative contact for the VP/AD’s Office and coordinates with Athletics administrators, coaches, staff, university departments, donors, alumni, and community partners to facilitate communication and ensure timely completion of assigned responsibilities.

Working under the day-to-day direction of the CAO, the you will maintain effective office systems, coordinate administrative activities, implement approved procedures, and identify issues requiring additional guidance. The position handles confidential information and supports the efficient execution of executive office responsibilities while referring matters outside its delegated authority to the CAO or VP/AD, as appropriate.

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary

$4,508.70 - $6,763.06 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver.
• For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in business administration or other relevant field and four (4) years of progressively responsible management work experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Work experience that demonstrates ability to manage multiple tasks and perform sound decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with Microsoft 365 products: specifically, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, database systems and mainframe computer systems with administrative projects.
• Experience working within higher education or executive management setting.
• Experience working within intercollegiate athletics.
• Experience coordinating executive calendars, meetings, institutional communications, administrative projects, and confidential matters.
• Familiarity with university administrative policies, travel, purchasing, budget processes, and records management.
• Knowledge and understanding of applicable rules and regulations of the State of Washington, NCAA, and PAC-12 Conference.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department

https://wsucougars.com/

Area/College

Athletics, Intercollegiate

Department Name

Office of the Athletics Director

Location

Pullman, WA

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/