Special Assistant to the Dean

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health seeks a Special Assistant to the Dean to serve as the Dean's principal partner in executive operations and coordination of the Dean's Office. The role supports scheduling, briefing, communications, and cross-unit coordination to advance priorities.

The position requires discretion, organizational leadership, diplomacy, and strong analytical and communication skills to manage complex priorities in an academic research

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years.
• Experience supporting senior leadership is preferred.
• Academic or healthcare/institutional experience preferred.
• Experience coordinating calendars and travel is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Dean's principal partner in executive operations and coordination of the Dean's Office.
• Oversee executive scheduling, leadership meeting coordination, and decision/action tracking.
• Prepare executive briefings and communications; manage administrative operations.
• Coordinate across academic departments, university leadership, and external stakeholders to facilitate timely decisions and follow-through.
• Exercise independent judgment within delegated authority and anticipate emerging needs.

Skills

Senior leadership support

Coordination of complex operations

Academic setting experience

Project coordination

Executive briefing

Workflow management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree or higher in a relevant field

Job description

I. JOB OVERVIEW

The Special Assistant to the Dean serves as the Dean's principal partner in executive operations and coordination of the Dean's Office at the Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Working closely with the Dean and the school's senior leadership, the Special Assistant to the Dean ensures the Dean's Office operates effectively, coordinates and advances institutional priorities and commitments, and prepares the Dean and leadership team for key decisions and engagements.

The position oversees the Dean's Office operating rhythm, including executive scheduling, leadership meeting coordination, decision and action tracking, executive briefings, communications, and administrative operations. The Special Assistant to the Dean exercises independent judgment within delegated authority, anticipates emerging needs, identifies operational challenges, and coordinates across academic departments, university leadership, and external stakeholders to facilitate timely decisions and follow-through.

The role requires exceptional discretion, organizational leadership, diplomacy, analytical and communication skills, and the ability to manage complex and competing priorities in a dynamic academic and research environment.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting senior leadership and coordinating complex organizational operations is desired.
• Academic setting strongly preferred.
• Academic, research, healthcare, or other complex institutional experience preferred.
• Add project coordination, executive briefing, workflow management, issue escalation, and process improvement for the calendar and travel.

Hiring Range

$66,095.67 - $90,896.59

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH)

Family: Administration

Sub-Family: Administrative / Operations

Stream: Individual Contributor

Level: Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: M - F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (schedule may vary based on School events)

Will this job require the employee to work on site?: Yes

Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?: No

Posting Number: S014528

Job Open Date: 10/19/2026

Background Screening: Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement: The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.