Executive Assistant

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.

Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life-creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

As a member of the Seahawk community, you'll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

The mission of the Office of University Relations is to strengthen brand identity and increase local, regional and national awareness of the UNCW mission; enhance internal communications between administration and faculty/students and among cross-departmental colleagues; and create and implement more effective communications processes for OUR support requests, media relations, campus and crisis communications, etc.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 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 only 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 "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

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

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer ( CMCO), a senior university administrator, and supports the effective day-to-day operations of the Office of University Relations ( OUR). The position manages the CMCO's calendar, meetings, travel and administrative priorities; coordinates activities involving senior university leaders and their offices; and supports quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and other high-level university activities.

The Executive Assistant serves as a key administrative point of contact for the CMCO and must exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy and professionalism when working with university leaders and internal and external constituents. The position assesses requests and circumstances, provides relevant information and recommendations, and carries out decisions and priorities established by the CMCO and/or designated OUR leaders. The position requires initiative and good judgment while maintaining clear alignment with leadership direction.

The position operates in a fast-paced environment where schedules and priorities may change quickly. As needed during issues management or other time-sensitive situations, the Executive Assistant may monitor designated email inboxes, telephone calls and other communication platforms; gather and organize information; identify matters requiring attention; and route or respond to inquiries according to established guidance. The position supports and facilitates decision-making but does not independently establish communications strategy, institutional positions or executive priorities.

The position also coordinates key administrative and operational functions for OUR, including office and building operations, departmental travel and purchasing, equipment inventories, records, administrative student worker scheduling and other office needs. The Executive Assistant serves as the departmental HR liaison and leavekeeper and provides backup support for designated business and project management functions.

Strong organizational, technological, written and verbal communication skills are essential. The Executive Assistant must be proactive, highly accurate, responsive and skilled at anticipating administrative and operational needs. The position works closely with Information Technology and other campus partners and must maintain a strong working knowledge of OUR and the broader university to effectively support the CMCO, OUR leadership and departmental operations.

Graduation from high school and three years of progressively responsible administrative/office management experience; or Graduation of a two-year secretarial science or business administration program and one year of experience as described above; or Graduation from a four-year college or university, preferably with major emphasis on Business administration or a related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the 'Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service 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.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington 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.