Executive Assistant to the President

The Executive Assistant to the President provides high-level strategic and confidential support to the President and manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President. Serving as a trusted member of the team and representative of the Presidents Office the Executive Assistant exercises exceptional judgment discretion diplomacy and initiative in managing the Presidents time priorities relationships communications and engagements.

The Executive Assistant serves as a key liaison among the President Board of Trustees Cabinet and Leadership Team faculty staff students alumni donors parents community leaders and other constituents. The position works closely with the Chief of Staff and senior leaders to advance presidential and institutional priorities and ensure effective coordination and follow-through.

Essential Responsibilities

Executive Support and Office Management

• Serve as a trusted executive assistant to the President anticipating needs managing competing priorities and ensuring timely follow-through.
• Manage the daily operations of the Office of the President including systems records budgets correspondence and special projects.
• Serve as a primary point of contact and liaison for the President representing the Office with high levels of professionalism warmth discretion and sound judgment.
• Partner with the Chief of Staff to coordinate presidential priorities communications meetings projects and institutional initiatives.
• Track commitments decisions and action items and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Handle highly confidential personnel governance legal donor student and institutional matters with discretion.

Calendar Travel and Presidential Readiness

• Manage the Presidents complex calendar prioritizing requests and ensuring effective use of the Presidents time.
• Serve as a thoughtful gatekeeper determining when matters require presidential attention and when they can be delegated or redirected.
• Prepare agendas briefing materials talking points background information and schedules for meetings and engagements.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel including itineraries logistics expenses and reimbursements.

Communications and Governance

• Manage presidential correspondence and draft edit and proofread communications in the Presidents voice.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for the Presidents work with the Board of Trustees and its committees in partnership with the Secretary of the College.
• Support preparation for Board Cabinet Leadership Team and presidential committee meetings.

Events and External Engagement

• Coordinate presidential and College-wide events formal protocol events and high-profile engagements.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing Advancement Academic Affairs Student Affairs Facilities and other offices to ensure successful events and engagements.
• Meet regularly and communicate effectively with the Presidents spouse who plays a key role in supporting the work of the College particularly events sponsored by the Presidents Office
• Support the Presidents relationships with trustees donors alumni parents community leaders government officials civic organizations and other strategic constituents.
• Support presidential activities related to fundraising stewardship strategic planning community relations and other institutional priorities.

Other Responsibilities

• Monitor the Office of the Presidents operating budget and process expenditures in accordance with College policies.
• Maintain systems that promote efficiency accountability communication and follow-through.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the President.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting a senior executive preferably in higher education nonprofit organizations or another complex collaborative environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills including the ability to draft polished executive correspondence.
• Outstanding organizational project management prioritization and follow-through skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment anticipate needs solve problems and manage competing priorities.
• Exceptional discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity.
• Strong interpersonal skills emotional intelligence diplomacy and a calm welcoming demeanor.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 including Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint and Teams.
• Experience in higher education and familiarity with the operations and governance of a liberal arts college strongly preferred.

Working Conditions

This is an exempt position requiring a strong on-campus presence and flexibility to support the priorities of the Office of the President. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required for College events presidential engagements Board meetings commencement and other institutional activities.

Application

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume through the Colleges employment portal.

Full benefits information including eligibility details is located at: you are interested in learning more about employment at Lake Forest College please visit Working at Lake Forest Lake Forest College.