Temporary Executive Assistant

University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking a Temporary Executive Assistant to provide administrative and programmatic support to the Center for Marine Science’s Executive Director. The role requires strong organization, calendar management, travel processing, and clear communication with faculty, staff, and external partners.

Responsibilities include coordinating CMS leadership meetings, planning faculty/staff events, maintaining the front office, and serving as a back-up to the

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 3 years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; proficient in Microsoft Office and quick to learn university systems.
• Ability to multi-task and provide excellent customer service.
• Experience supporting executives or senior staff is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Managing the director's calendar, including scheduling appointments and meetings.
• Providing correspondence on behalf of the Executive Director to faculty/staff, high level university administration/staff, external stakeholders/partners.
• Coordinating events in support of the Executive Director.
• Process Executive Director's travel authorizations and reimbursements.
• Coordinate CMS leadership team meetings, and keep minutes.
• Plan/schedule fall and spring CMS faculty/staff meetings, and State of CMS meeting.
• Support Marine Science Council.
• Coordinate CMS prospective student tours.
• Enter and track work orders.
• Maintain/update CMS phone tree.
• Facilitate room reservations.
• Maintain front office supplies.
• Support Executive Director in research activities.
• Serve as back-up to Administrative Associate.
• Special projects, as assigned.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Clear verbal and written communication

MS Office proficiency

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Event planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related

Associate’s degree in secretarial or business administration

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Temporary Executive Assistant

University Information:

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastaluniversity, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring,research and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation.

A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's first bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "DoctoralUniversities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Founded as Wilmington College in 1947, UNCW moved to its present location in the heart of New Hanover County in 1961. The 660-acre campus is only minutes from Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington and features Georgian architecture and designated conservation areas. Wilmington International Airport (ILM) provides commercial air service to cities both domestic and abroad and is just six miles from the UNCW campus.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969

Department:

Center for Marine Science - 30600

Vacancy Number:

TSP5727PST

Job Category:

Clerical & Office Support

FLSA for Position:

Nonexempt

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:

The position provides primary support for the Executive Director for the Center for Marine Science including administrative and programmatic assistance.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the director's calendar, including scheduling appointments and meetings
• Providing correspondence on behalf of the Executive Director to faculty/staff, high level university administration/staff, external stakeholders/partners
• Coordinating events in support of the Executive Director
• Process Executive Director's travel authorizations and reimbursements
• Coordinate CMS leadership team meetings, and keep minutes
• Plan/schedule fall and spring CMS faculty/staff meetings, and State of CMS meeting
• Support Marine Science Council
• Coordinate CMS prospective student tours
• Enter and track work orders
• Maintain/update CMS phone tree
• Facilitate room reservations
• Maintain front office supplies
• Support Executive Director in research activities
• Serve as back-up to Administrative Associate
• Special projects, as assigned

This position communicates with faculty and staff at the Center for Marine Science, as well as other academic departments that have staff at CMS. The Executive Assistant communicates with high level administration and their support staff at UNCW on behalf of the Executive Director. The Executive Assistant may also interact without side board members and donors.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalency and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Associate's degree in secretarial science, business administration, or a related discipline and one year of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Bachelor's degree, preferably in business administration or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills &Experience:

• Excellent organizational skills
• Clearly communicate both verbally and in writing
• Solid foundation in Microsoft Office suite, and ability to quickly learn other University systems
• Ability to multi-task
• Pleasant customer service skills
• Event planning experience

This position will communicate with faculty and staff at the Center for Marine Science, as well as other academic departments that have staff at CMS. The Executive Assistant will communicate with high level administration and their support staff at UNCW on behalf of the Executive Director. The Executive Assistant may also interact with outside board members and donors.

Work Hours:

8:00am-5:00pm

Work Days:

Monday-Friday

Hours Per Week:

40

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$18-$25/hr

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please note, this is a temporary position. The length of the assignment will be based on department need with the possibility of continuation. Temporary assignments cannot exceed 11 consecutive months without a full 31-day break from employment. Employees in temporary positions are not considered permanent state employees and do not earn leave. Temporary employees are subject to the Affordable Care Act guidelines.

Job Posting Date:

09/30/2026

Job Closing Date:

10/07/2026

Number of Openings:

Single Incumbent

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, genderidentity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color,national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexualorientation, political affiliation, veteran status, militaryservice member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.