Executive Assistant to Academic Affairs and Mission & Ministry

Rockhurst University is seeking organized and dynamic candidates for the Executive Assistant to Academic Affairs and Mission & Ministry position. This position provides executive support for the office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the office of the Vice President for Mission and Ministries. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted administrative and strategic partner to two highly visible offices of the university, providing high-level executive support to advance the institution’s Catholic, Jesuit mission, academic excellence, and operational effectiveness. This position is responsible for managing executive communications, coordinating priorities and activities, supporting governance and stakeholder relations, and ensuring the efficient operation of the two offices. The Executive Assistant exercises professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment while fostering collaboration and reflecting the university’s values.

Founded in 1910 and located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, Rockhurst is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition committed to providing inclusive, innovative, and transformative education. As a comprehensive university and supportive community of nearly four thousand students, our mission is to form lifelong learners in the liberal arts tradition who engage the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders.

Accountabilities for both offices include but are not limited to:

Executive and Administrative Support
Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Vice Presidents, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, correspondence, and preparation of reports, presentations, budgetary support, internal support for committees, institutional processes in academic affairs and mission and ministries, and support for updating institutional handbooks and policies.

Office Operations Management
Ensure the efficient daily operation of the offices by managing workflows, prioritizing requests, maintaining records, and coordinating administrative processes and deadlines.

Communication and Correspondence
Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, handling sensitive and confidential communications with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.

Board Committees and Governance Support
Coordinate logistics, materials, agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions for meetings involving the Board of Trustees committees, and university committees. Additional support is required in the preparation for committee meetings and institutional policies and handbooks supporting governance, especially in the Provost’s Office.

Strategic Coordination and Project Support
Assist with the coordination and tracking of strategic initiatives, academic and mission and ministry events and priorities, and special projects to ensure timely execution and follow-through.

Stakeholder and Community Relations
Support academic and mission and ministry engagement events, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, diocesan/AJCU representatives, and community partners in a manner that reflects the university’s Catholic identity and mission.

Confidentiality and Judgment
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive institutional, personnel, financial, and governance matters while exercising sound independent judgment.

Event and Hospitality Coordination
Coordinate academic and mission and ministry events, receptions, and ceremonial functions, ensuring a professional and welcoming experience for guests and stakeholders. This includes events such as commencement, graduation mass, hooding ceremonies

Mission and Values Integration
Support and uphold the Catholic mission, values, and traditions of the university through professional conduct and service-oriented leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree or the combination of an associate’s degree and extensive relevant work experience, required.
• Five or more years of experience in an administrative support role, preferably supporting senior level administration.
• Excellent technology and computer skills with expert knowledge in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Preferred experience with platforms and databases.
• Strong time management and problem solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously effectively and efficiently. Strong attention to detail is essential.
• Must possess the ability to work autonomously with little direction.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to build strong, positive relationships and effectively lead projects.
• Must possess sound judgment with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully plan events within set timelines and budgets. Prior event planning experience is preferred.

Full-time Rockhurst employees enjoy an excellent benefits package including:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Short- and long-term disability
Life insurance
125 Tax Savings Plan
403b retirement plans with University match
Free undergraduate and graduate classes for employees - 6 credit hour limit per semester
Free undergraduate classes for spouses and dependent children
Vacation and sick time along with 15 paid holidays
Positive work environment
Leadership and development opportunities

Applicants who would enhance the diversity of the University, such as individuals from historically underrepresented groups, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants should submit a cover letter with salary expectations and three professional references. Rockhurst cannot accept any application materials (resumes, cover letters, etc.) by email, mail, or walk-in. All applications and application materials must be submitted through our online application system.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.  It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Rockhurst University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Rockhurst University is committed to creating a diverse working environment. The University recruits and employs successful candidates without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and/or disability in employment, educational programs, or activities that it operates. In order to qualify as a candidate, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time Rockhurst is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.