Job Posting Summary
The Senior Advisor for Presidential Affairs & Communications provides high-level support to the President, assisting in the advancement of the President’s priorities and goals. This role is responsible for the central coordination of communications and ensures timely information flow to and from the President’s Office. Additionally, the role oversees administrative functions, including managing the President’s office staff, budget, and determining the President’s scheduling priorities.
Applications for this position is being accepted through On-Ramps at www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3480
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:
Communications
- Manage the President’s written communication with internal and external constituents, including speeches, remarks, letters, statements, routine correspondence, and reports
- Work collaboratively with the Office of Communications and Marketing on message strategies and consistency. Draft and edit correspondence on behalf of the President, ensuring accuracy and alignment with institutional priorities and Presidential voice, tone, and vision
- Manage communications for the Office of the President
- Prepare and coordinate special correspondence for the President
- Coordinate with the Office of Institutional Advancement to prepare donor-related correspondence and event remarks
- Verify editorial and factual accuracy of reports, correspondence, and materials, checking for appropriateness prior to sharing them with the President
- Manage the President’s brand and reputation by ensuring the President has information on the current climate related to the President; information circulated about the President is accurate; and the President is well-prepared for events in which she participates
- Ensure the President’s brand and reputation is accurately represented in online sources
- Extend the President’s reach by serving as a trusted resource and representative to internal and external stakeholders
University Meetings & Events
- Plan and execute large-scale events that represent the Office of the President, including President’s Cabinet, All Hands, Employee Service Awards, Holiday Party, and the Executive Leadership Team
- Collaborate with the University’s event organizers, ensuring appropriate protocols are maintained for all events in which the President participates
Scheduling and Preparing for Meetings
- Work closely with the Executive Assistant to the President to optimize the President’s schedule and prioritize competing demands and engagements, and to balance internal and external commitments
- Keep the President on target, fully-briefed, and well-informed of meetings, appointments, writing deadlines, correspondence, and other matters
- Prepare agendas, briefings, PowerPoint presentations, and talking points to fully prepare the President for meetings, appointments, and events
- Work collaboratively with the Office of Institutional Advancement to secure meetings with prospective and current donors. Review biographical information as requested by the President
- Work cross-functionally with University leadership to ensure alignment of the President’s time and communications with institutional goals
- Act as a trusted advisor to the President, providing insights and recommendations on University operations and strategy
Manage Priorities of the President
- Represent the President in resolving problems and disputes from all constituents. Work to solve problems, mediate disputes, and work proactively with issues and people. Use exceptional judgment in determining when the President should be consulted prior to taking action
- Conduct research for the President on an array of topics
- Ensure the President is full-briefed on external and internal issues impacting operations or achievement of strategic priorities
- Track, monitor and follow the progress of projects, action items, strategies that emanate from meetings
Office Management
- Supervise the President’s Office – overall responsibility for operations, routines, procedures, and effectiveness of the Office
- Serve as the direct supervisor, and lead the recruitment, training, and evaluation of President’s Office staff. Assist in ensuring all personnel within the office maintain open communication and cooperation to seamlessly achieve the President’s objectives
- Prepare and manage the Office of the President’s budget and provides budget analysis and forecasting, expense tracking and reconciliation.
- Ensure maintenance of organizational records and pertinent materials relating to the day-to-day operation of the President’s Office, including communications, correspondence, and scheduling history
- Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed
Qualifications
Required Skills & Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of advanced administrative experience (i.e. administration, project management, personnel, budgets, finance, or strategy) or related field, preferably in a higher education setting
- Exceptional written, presentation, and oral communication skills
- Strong business acumen with success influencing executive leaders; effectiveness developing partnerships across disparate groups to ensure implementation
- Experience balancing strategic leadership with detailed involvement in support of accountabilities. Outstanding critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage a wide range of relationships and multiple and competing priorities
- Excellent diplomacy in working with diverse groups, addressing demanding issues, situations, and schedules with a calm, respectful, and professional demeanor
- Exceptional people management skills and experience developing and maintaining professional office protocols, managing resources, and overseeing financial matters
- Proven experience handling highly confidential and sensitive materials and situations
- Must be assertive, creative, collaborative, and able to anticipate and resolve challenges and business needs
- Commitment to Mercy University’s mission, values, and goals
Education Requirements:
- Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., strategy, education, finance, administration, law)
*Mercy University has engaged On-Ramps recruitment firm for this position. To apply to and be considered for this position please visit On-Ramps at: www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3480
About Mercy
Mercy University is a dynamic, independent, coeducational New York City area university that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs in six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Mercy is the region’s largest private, nonprofit, Minority-Serving Institution, proud to serve a student body that is highly diverse. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Mercy University, has been ranked nationally among top colleges in the country for Hispanics by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and by Excelencia in Education, earning their prestigious Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latino students.
Mercy University was further recognized by HACU as a national leader in awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanics in several disciplines, including Psychology, Sociology, and Business. Westchester Magazine has also named Mercy the Best College in Westchester County in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Mercy is committed to offering an inclusive learning environment to help a diverse student body set a course for their future. To support its student body, Mercy has been awarded a number of federal grants which enable us to better develop and deliver education to our students.
Mercy’s student body reflects the rich diversity of the New York metropolitan area. Enrollment, including full-time and part-time undergraduates and graduates, is approximately 8,800. Mercy students learn on campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx, and Manhattan as well as online.
At Mercy University we strive to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.
Our Mission:
Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education by offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, thus preparing students to embark on rewarding careers, to continue learning throughout their lives and to act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.
EEO Statement
Mercy University is an equal opportunity employer. Mercy University actively engages in recruiting a diverse workforce and student body that includes members of historically underrepresented groups and strives to build and sustain a welcoming and supportive campus community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, height, weight, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
As part of this commitment, Mercy University will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact The Office of Human Resources at (914) 674-7839, Option 6 or via email at HR@mercy.edu .
The posted salary range for this position is based on several legitimate, non-discriminatory factors set by the organization. Mercy is committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local pay equity laws.
Campus Safety
Mercy University is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.