Department: College of Design, Dean's Office
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA05-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

July 6, 2025, position open until filled.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position, please be sure to submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter that tells us how your background, skills, and experiences make you a great candidate for this role based on the qualifications listed in the job posting.
• A current resume that outlines your professional experience, education, and any relevant certifications.

As part of the online application, you’ll also be asked to provide contact information for at least three professional references. We will contact finalists before we reach out to referees.

The College of Design is committed to finding the best candidate for the job, and that might be someone with a nontraditional background. Even if you don’t think you meet every preferred qualification, we encourage you to apply. Use your application to tell us what excites you about the position and highlight the transferable skills and experiences you would bring to the team.

Department Summary

The Office of the Dean provides strategic leadership and administrative support for the College of Design (DSGN), a multidisciplinary academic unit comprising approximately 80 tenure-related faculty members, 85 non-tenure-related faculty members, 40 staff, and 1,900 student majors across 9 departments and programs offering 23 degree programs. With operations in both Eugene and Portland and an annual operating budget of $31 million, the Dean’s Office plays a central role in ensuring cohesive academic leadership and a vibrant, future-focused educational environment.

The Dean’s Office oversees core administrative functions including fiscal services (budgeting, contracting, and payroll), facilities management (such as space scheduling in Lawrence Hall), foundational communications, and technology support. It also coordinates with key internal and external advisory groups including the Dean’s Council and the Dean’s Faculty Advisory Committee, to strengthen community and industry partnerships, support faculty development, guide strategic planning, and promote equity and inclusion initiatives.

Position Summary

The Executive Assistant (EA) will provide high-level support to the Office of the Dean leadership team, engaging with a broad range of sensitive and confidential information. This position requires strict confidentiality and discretion related to strategic and personnel matters, the ability to regularly exercise independent judgment, and must maintain an ongoing, comprehensive knowledge of strategic initiatives across the College. The EA will routinely analyze, compare, and evaluate various courses of action and have the authority to make independent decisions on matters of significance, free from immediate direction, on behalf of the Dean, and Associate Deans. The Executive Assistant is required to anticipate problems, exercise independent and appropriate judgment, and respond quickly and professionally to high-level issues and opportunities that arise throughout the year. Due to the nature of the assignments, the Executive Assistant must operate with the utmost discretion and professionalism. This position must also interpret, communicate, and apply Oregon Administrative Rules and UO policies and procedures in performing daily duties. This position has limited budget authority and must be willing to work occasional hours outside the traditional workweek.

This position has a broad set of assignments and provides confidential assistance and support to the Office of the Dean. The EA will serve as an administrative liaison between the Office of the Dean and a wide range of individuals and organizations, both internal and external to UO. In addition, this position provides calendar management, travel planning, event management, human resource management support, front desk coordination, operations support, and project support. The Executive Assistant must exhibit professionalism, collegiality in a team environment, and an ability to create a welcoming and professional atmosphere in a busy office environment. The Executive Assistant is expected to carry out duties with limited supervision.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Three years’ experience providing confidential executive support that includes experience managing a calendar for an executive-level position.
• Three years of office and project management experience of increasing responsibility, including serving as team lead on projects.

Professional Competencies

• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, manage projects and initiatives, and solve problems.
• Ability to organize time-sensitive and complex work.
• Ability to produce professional correspondence and attractive presentations, following outlined branding standards.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to write and speak on behalf of the SOJC Dean.
• Ability to interact professionally with all levels of the University of Oregon community and its constituencies.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from a variety of diverse backgrounds in support of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Proficient computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and desktop publishing.
• Integrity in dealing with confidential information.
• Flexibility to shift directions quickly when priorities change and deliver against tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling correspondence and travel for an executive or Dean in a higher education setting.
• Experience with web design applications, Advance, and Concur.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.