Assistant Director of College Governance bei Colby

Job Description

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Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of College Governance works chiefly with the Vice President and Secretary of the College (who also serves as General Counsel of the College) (the “VP/GC”) as the primary liaison, next to the President, to the Board of Trustees and several other important external leadership groups of the College. The position requires the development of mutually supportive relationships with the staffs of the College’s vice presidents and deans, trustees, student and faculty Board representatives, and other key volunteer leadership groups. The position requires a deep devotion to the value of higher education and the ability to work in an institution committed to excellence and distinction in the world of liberal arts education – and with that commitment, the ability to work in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the capacity and commitment to achieve the following:

Trust and Respect: The ability to earn the trust of internal and external stakeholders through dependable, high-quality work that speaks for itself.

Initiative: A proactive mindset to identify opportunities for improvement and take on new responsibilities without needing to be prompted.

Organizational Mastery: The skill to seamlessly organize and manage high-stakes events, such as Board of Trustees meetings, ensuring every detail is accounted for and every attendee has a positive experience.

Forward Thinking: The foresight to anticipate needs and potential issues, working with leadership to address them proactively.

Clear Communication: The talent to communicate with a wide range of groups and individuals with the right content, tone, and style.

Ownership: A commitment to the highest standards of accountability for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of your work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deep knowledge of key issues affecting the landscape of higher education and the ability to frame those issues as they may come to affect the College
• Plan, coordinate, and manage all aspects of Board of Trustees meetings and related high-level leadership events, delivering a seamless and concierge-level experience for trustees, administrators, guests, speakers, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include oversight of meeting logistics such as scheduling, production and timely distribution of materials, room setups, meals, travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, and venue selection. Ensure the “choreography” of each event is executed with precision - managing presentations, activities, and stakeholder interactions - to support a dynamic Board and its committees throughout the year with exceptional service, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
• Experience in assisting in research, preparation, and development of materials, information, and presentations involving key strategic issues for consideration by the board and College leadership
• Proven ability to work quickly and effectively with multiple campus leaders and staff on trustee meetings and events, as well as meetings of other key volunteer leaders of the College requiring collaboration and close partnership with a wide-array of Colby stakeholders including advancement, facilities, events, and dining services personnel
• Engagement with trustees, Visitors, trustees emeriti, and other volunteer leaders to build relationships that encourage and support a high-level of commitment to and knowledge of the College’s vision, priorities, initiatives, and values
• Assistance in building and maintaining the VP/GC’s relationships with faculty, staff, and students on matters related to the Board
• Assistance in the selection, scheduling, and management of members of the Board of Visitors when they are on campus for committee visits
• Drafting and review of Board and committee documents and minutes
• Assistance in managing and overseeing budgets involving the VP/GC office
• Performance of additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration preferred; equivalent service requiring skills and abilities sought for this position in a for-profit or not-for-profit setting will be considered
• Knowledge of the issues impacting higher education and ability to anticipate emerging issues
• Understanding of and proficiency with governance documents and precedents involving governance of the College
• Ability to work on sensitive matters with discretion, strictly adhering to requirements of confidentiality and avoidance of conflicts of interest
• Committed self-starter with proven skills to work collaboratively with the VP/GC office
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
• Strong organizational skills involving work to be timely completed as well as tracking and following up with others to ensure that commitments, tasks, and projects in support of the work of the VP/GC office are fulfilled
• Ability to work skillfully and simultaneously on multiple tasks, evaluate solutions, exercise sound judgment, creatively solve problems, and make decisions as part of the VP/GC team, often under pressure, in a changing, fast-moving, highly visible and impactful environment
• Inquisitive and entrepreneurial thinker with ongoing attention to the need for innovation and change in the work and performance of the VP/GC office
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements 

The position is a full-time, fiscal year, exempt appointment. It sometimes requires evening and weekend work and communications with the VP/GC office, as and when necessary, with the expectation of extensive availability for important College activities and events throughout the year – as determined by the office. Occasional travel for off-site meetings and events, sometimes extending for several days, is also required.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position requires relationships with two types of audiences. Inside the College, the position features significant interaction with members of the VP/GC team, as well as members of the staffs supporting the president and senior leadership of the College, and the Office of Campus Events, the Advancement division, faculty, staff, and students. On an external basis, developing and stewarding relationships with members of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors, and the College’s trustees emeriti.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary.