Special Assistant to the Dean

The George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The George Washington University Law School in Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC, seeks an experienced Executive Administrative Assistant to support the Dean. The role requires exceptional organization, proactive calendar management, and strong communication with diverse stakeholders.

You will coordinate high-level meetings, manage the Dean's communications, and oversee travel and events with precision. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and several years of relevant experience, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 3–5+ years of relevant experience for accelerated track at senior levels.
• Degree(s) must be conferred by start date; substitution with equivalent education/experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Dean's calendar and daily schedule with strategic prioritization.
• Oversee Dean's email, correspondence, and communications with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, itineraries and supporting documentation.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing materials and communications for the Dean.
• Plan and execute Dean-level events and special engagements with attention to detail.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Email management

Travel planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

Established in 1865, The George Washington University Law School is the oldest law school in Washington, DC. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. The law school is located on the GW campus in the downtown neighborhood familiarly known as Foggy Bottom.

The Dean’s office is the center of activity for a large, busy and prestigious law school. Therefore, the person in this position must desire to work in a fast-paced, high-intensity office. This executive administrative support position reports to directly supports the Dean of the Law School. The successful applicant will be highly organized with great attention to detail, able to easily adapt to changing priorities, and work as part of a team, and enjoy the satisfaction of achieving exciting goals. This role independently evaluates requests and allows or denies access to the Dean, and provides extensive and effective management of the Dean’s calendar and appointments ensuring a clear purpose and strategic use of the Dean’s time with guidance from the Dean. This position typically oversees and manages all aspects of event and meeting planning for the Dean, including but not limited to special Dean’s events, executive preparation and execution. This position assumes primary responsibility for preparation and dissemination of executive communications and presentations.

Other Job Related Duties:

• Manage Dean’s calendar and daily schedule.
• Manage the Dean’s email, written correspondence, and communications with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, University leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Daily meeting oversight and management of the Dean’s To-Do and Projects List. Reservation and scheduling of event spaces and the Dean’s Conference Room.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing and meeting materials.
• Partner with the Director of Strategic Initiatives to ensure the successful coordination and execution of the Dean’s administrative, operational, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee the process for ensuring accurate recording of expenses for the Dean, as well as the reporting of the Dean’s Procurement Card (University Credit Card) and out-of-pocket expenses. Manage and provide the documentation needed to the front desk staff responsible for processing expenses. Serve as a backup delegate for processing all expenses as needed.
• Coordinate all travel arrangements for the Dean, including comprehensive itineraries, logistics, and supporting documentation.
• Periodically record meeting notes and track action items for meetings led by the Dean.
• Prepare correspondence including but not limited to gathering and printing of final product for Dean’s Signature, filing and printing all departmental weekly reports, and sending mass email communications.
• Coordinate the Dean’s Writer and Development and Alumni Relations team to manage talking points and presentations for events and meetings.
• Serve as point of contact for all Dean’s activities with Faculty Committees, Leadership Meetings, Senior Staff Meetings, and All Community Meetings.
• Place phone calls for the Dean and interact professionally with students, staff, faculty, alums, other University personnel, and visitors.
• Periodically scribe notes during meetings and events.
• Assist the Director, Strategic Initiatives and Administration with administrative duties as that officer assigns.
• Prepare materials in preparation for all internal and external meetings and events.
• Manage internal and external requests for Dean events and speaking engagements.
• Performs other work 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.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Able to easily adapt to changing priorities
• Work as part of a team, and enjoy the satisfaction of achieving exciting goals
• Maintains regular, consistent and predictable attendance
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and/or special events for the Dean’s office
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite and other contemporary hardware/software, is desired
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• As a member of the Dean’s Office, upholds and protects the confidentiality of sensitive data, information, and objectives

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:

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

College/School/Department:

College/School/Department: GW Law School (LAW)

Family

Family Administration

Sub-Family

Sub-Family Administrative / Operations

Stream

Level

Level Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule:

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

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

Employee Onsite Status

Telework:

Telework: No

Required Background Check:

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

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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

Internal Applicants Only?

Internal Applicants Only: No

Posting Number:

Posting Number: S014368

Job Open Date:

Job Open Date: 07/31/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

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.