Executive Assistant to the Provost

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Professional Assistant

Working Title: Executive Assistant to the Provost

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $88,118 - $95,000

Position #00676040 - Requisition #39739

About the University of Colorado Denver

Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative, operational, and strategic support to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. This position serves as a trusted partner to the Provost, managing complex schedules, coordinating executive-level communications, supporting academic leadership priorities, and facilitating the efficient operation of the Office of the Provost. The role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, organizational skill, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced academic environment.

Executive and Administrative Support

• Serve as the primary administrative support for the Provost, managing a highly complex calendar involving internal and external stakeholders, academic leadership, and system-level engagements.
• Anticipate needs, prioritize competing demands, and proactively resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Assess and triage requests for the Provost's time, ensuring alignment with priorities.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings, events, and engagements, including room reservations, agendas, materials and follow-up.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external scheduling communications.
• Prepare, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and policy documents.
• Manage confidential information with the highest level of discretion and professionalism.

Office of the Provost Operations

• Coordinate daily operations of the Office of the Provost to ensure efficiency, responsiveness, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Serve as a key point of contact between the Provost's Office and campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Track deadlines, follow up on action items, and ensure timely completion of initiatives and commitments.
• Maintain records, files, and official documents in accordance with university policies.
• Manage travel coordination, reimbursements, expense reports, memberships, and subscriptions.
• Support procurement, supplies, facilities coordination, and general office administration.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, governance standards, and deadlines.

Academic Leadership and Governance Support

• Support academic leadership activities, including meetings of deans, associate provosts, faculty governance bodies, and senior leadership teams.
• Coordinate preparation and logistics for high-level meetings, retreats, and major academic events.
• Assist with onboarding and transition support for academic leaders, as needed.

Communication and Coordination

• Act as a liaison between the Provost and internal/external stakeholders, exercising sound judgment regarding information flow and prioritization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, leaders, system offices and community partners.
• Coordinate across executive offices to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Draft and coordinate communications on behalf of the Provost, including emails, announcements, and reports.
• Maintain organized records and document management systems for the Provost's Office.
• Represent the Provost's Office with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.

Project and Initiative Support

• Provide administrative and coordination support for strategic initiatives led by the Provost, including accreditation, academic planning, and system-wide projects.
• Monitor timelines, gather information, and support implementation efforts as assigned.
• Assist with special projects and analyses that advance the mission and goals of CU Denver.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Five (5) years experience providing executive-level administrative support, preferably in higher education or a complex organization.
• Advanced level of proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office and related productivity tools.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting senior academic leadership in a higher education setting.
• Familiarity with university governance, academic affairs, and faculty processes.
• Experience with project management
• Experience working in a large, decentralized organization or system environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex schedules and multiple priorities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and strategic thinking in support of executive decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Professional judgment and discretion
• Organizational and time-management excellence
• Proactive problem-solving
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $88,118 - $95,000. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Required Application Materials

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications
• A current CV/resume
• List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

Questions should be directed to Meron Ayele, meron.ayele@ucdenver.edu