Executive Assistant and Business Manager

The Office of Strategic Communications bears primary responsibility for maintaining and safeguarding the university's public image through strategic marketing practices, public relations, media relations, news services, publications, executive messaging and crisis/emergency communications. The staff establishes standards for articulating the University's mission, vision, core values, strategic goals and visual identity, for promoting the University's performances and events and the accomplishments of its students, alumni, and faculty and staff to external audiences that include potential students and parents, alumni, supporters, and the general public. Additional departmental responsibilities include maintaining all of the University's external communications, including the website, social media, and print publications, and ensuring that all communications adhere to branding guidelines, standards of writing style, and institutional messaging. With a primary focus on external communications, the Office of Strategic Communications also offers expertise, insight and strategic planning to the Chancellor and other senior-level administrators on communications issues and events within the campus community.

The Executive Assistant/Business Manager is the backbone of the Strategic Communications Department. Always one step ahead, this unsung hero works behind the scenes to ensure that the Vice Chancellor and everyone in the department can accomplish their tasks, efficiently managing the details, providing daily operational support and overall budget management leadership. This position assists with policy development & interpretation, budget management, and planning. They are responsible for reviewing and enhancing procedures that impact the unit as needed and may supervise administrative or technical staff.

Reports to the Vice Chancellor of Strategic communications. Provides financial analysis and forecasts, budget planning and project proposals. Responsible for all departmental billing/payments, contracts, purchase orders and matters related to finances for the division's numerous funds. Supports the Vice Chancellor and the Strategic Communications team through calendar management, administrative assistance and project management. Oversees the day-to-day operations and needs of the Strategic Communications office including supply management, meeting and operational support, and administrative leadership.

Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Budget Management: Applying accounting and budgeting literacy, designs and tracks effective models for Strategic Communications budgets to forecast spending and future needs. Analyzes financial information to ensure all operations are within budget and makes appropriate recommendations. Identifies variances between actual and budgeted financial results at the end of each reporting period. Plans and monitors use of expenditures to meet organizational objectives and ensure compliance. Ensures fiscal stability by forecasting budget needs and expenditures, suggesting spending improvements that decrease overall spending.

Executive Support: Project management for Vice Chancellor and Strategic Communications Division. Calendar and meeting management including scheduling, meeting prep, notetaking and follow up, as required. Booking travel reservations and accommodations as needed for work travel. Managing and prioritizing communications via email, telephone, and messaging systems. Provide daily support for VC to ensure that time is being used efficiently.

Office Management/Administrative: Responsible for all departmental system contracts, purchasing, supplies, IT needs and facilities coordination and planning. Handles all human resources matters including hiring, departmental on boarding, and advises Vice Chancellor to ensure compliance with HR policies. Administrator and Super User for Strategic Communication's workflow management tool, ClickUp. Provides training for new users and ensures that projects are accurately paced and being completed on time. Management of software programs utilized by Strategic Communications to ensure department compliance and productivity.

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related business area; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. UNC System Office approved minimum qualifications.

Previous experience in higher education. Prefer experience working in integrated communications.

Proficient in MS Office, with strong cloud-based/collaborative platform skills. Previous experience with ClickUp or similar project management software preferred. Quick learner with an aptitude for financials and organization. Positive attitude, detail-oriented, highly organized, tactful and diplomatic professional demeanor required. Must produce excellent work with minimal supervision and be consistently proactive and highly productive.

This is an Exempt Professional Staff ( EPS) position. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered. Failure to complete the application process as required by state regulations will result in your application being rejected for the vacancy, and you will not be considered for the position. The UNCSA participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on race, religion, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, or disability.

EEO Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: suttonar@uncsa.edu