Executive Assistant, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs - req# 34758

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at The University of New Mexico seeks a highly skilled and proactive Executive Assistant to join the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (OVPSA). DSA is home to units and services dedicated to advancing the quality, cohesiveness, and cultural relevancy of the student experience at UNM and beyond. 

As a key member of the OVPSA team, the Executive Assistant provides direct administrative and strategic assistance to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and executive leadership. This position requires advanced coordination, problem-solving, and the ability to help manage high-level projects and initiatives that align with the DSA Strategic Plan: Innovating the Student Experience and the UNM 2040 Strategic Framework.

The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted partner and first point of contact for the VPSA, anticipating needs and ensuring readiness for meetings, events, and communications with University, community, and external stakeholders in collaboration with the OVPSA team. This role reinforces the OVPSA’s service philosophy and contributes to divisional processes that enhance student success, equity, and institutional effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative assistance to the VPSA and Student Affairs Leadership Team, ensuring effective management of workflow and priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders, representing the VPSA with professionalism, discretion, and cultural competence.
• Oversee the VPSA’s calendar, travel, and engagements, coordinating complex schedules to maximize readiness and impact.
• Partner with the OVPSA team to prepare the VPSA for meetings, committees, and external events, including research, briefings, background materials, and follow-up action plans.
• Contribute to divisional projects and initiatives with both institutional and community impact.
• Draft and manage executive correspondence and internal communications, working closely with OVPSA team members.
• Support divisional administrative operations, including budget and financial processes, payroll, and purchasing activities.
• Provide project-based guidance to OVPSA student interns, encouraging collaboration, professional growth, and accountability.
• Plan and execute divisional leadership meetings, retreats, and events that strengthen staff engagement and advance student success.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive information. 
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and priorities of the Division of Student Affairs.

See the Position Description for additional information.

High school diploma or GED; at least 2 years of experience managing at least one of the following functional areas: fiscal services, administration and/or human resources AND 3 years of additional experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior or executive leadership in a complex institutional environment.
• Advanced scheduling and event planning expertise, with experience ensuring executive preparedness.
• Strong project management skills with ability to lead initiatives from conception to completion.
• Familiarity with financial and HR systems (e.g., Banner Finance, Chrome River, payroll entry, purchasing).
• Proven ability to produce professional correspondence, briefing materials, and reports.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing student success and equity.
• High-level discretion, judgment, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.