How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management (VPEM) serves as a trusted strategic and administrative partner, providing seamless executive support in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role manages complex scheduling, communications, and travel while ensuring effective information flow and alignment with division-wide priorities. The Executive Assistant prepares executive briefings, tracks key initiatives, and supports high-level correspondence and presentations on behalf of the VPEM with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
Who We Are
The University of Michigan is a premier public research university with more than 53,488 students, including 35,358 undergraduates, and is firmly committed to serving the people of Michigan, and the world, through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic value. U-M is in high demand, with a record 115,957 undergraduate first-year and transfer applicants in fall 2025 and 9,711 incoming undergraduate students enrolling.
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students' experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. The division collaborates with campus partners, faculty, and staff in support of the university's mission.
OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members and more than 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units - the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
Administrative support
- Serve as a trusted executive partner to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, providing high-level administrative, operational, and strategic support in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Anticipate information and preparation needs for high-stakes meetings and engagements, proactively developing agendas, briefing materials, and summaries to support effective decision-making.
- Proactively manage and optimize the VPEM's complex calendar and schedule, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and aligning appointments with strategic priorities and institutional deadlines.
- Lead planning and logistics for high-profile internal and external engagements, including visits by senior leaders and external partners, ensuring seamless coordination of materials, briefing documents, and follow-up.
- Serve as a central coordination point between OEM and the President's Office, Provost's Office, Deans and other senior leadership, facilitating administrative workflows, meeting logistics, and consistent communication across offices.
- Coordinate complex domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries, accommodations, reimbursements, and expense reconciliation, while anticipating adjustments and resolving issues efficiently.
- Manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines with professionalism and flexibility, working collaboratively across OEM and campus partners to advance divisional goals.
- Provide functional leadership and guidance to OEM administrative and front desk staff, offering informal mentoring, promoting best practices, and supporting a high standard of service and consistency across the division.
VPEM Communications Support
- Represent the VPEM and the Office of Enrollment Management in internal and external interactions, meetings, and communications, exercising professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Draft, edit, and coordinate high-level communications on behalf of the VPEM and Chief of Staff, including correspondence, presentations, and talking points, ensuring alignment with leadership voice and strategic priorities.
- Prepare executive summaries, briefing materials, and speeches, synthesize complex information, track key decisions, and ensure timely follow-up on strategic initiatives.
- Support preparation for Regents, Board, and other high-stakes external engagements, coordinating materials, messaging, and logistics in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Anticipate emerging issues and respond appropriately on behalf of, or in close collaboration with, the VPEM and Chief of Staff, while maintaining accurate, confidential electronic and paper records.
Project support
- Support the Chief of Staff and VPEM on confidential, mission-critical initiatives, independently investigating issues, resolving problems, and partnering with the OEM leadership team to advance strategic priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of executive-level initiatives, developing and maintaining project plans, timelines, dashboards, and status updates; tracking dependencies, risks, and deliverables to support informed executive decision-making.
- Synthesize complex and sensitive information into clear executive summaries and briefing materials, enabling efficient review and strategic action by senior leadership.
Provide administrative and operational leadership for division-wide and university-level councils, committees, and working groups, including agenda development, preparation of materials, meeting coordination, documentation, and follow-through. - Serve as the primary administrative liaison for special projects and external partners, fostering productive working relationships and ensuring continuity across complex, multi-stakeholder governance processes.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the VPEM, Chief of Staff, and Office of Enrollment Management.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.
- Seven or more years of progressive administrative or executive support experience, preferably supporting senior leaders in a complex, decentralized organization.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-level correspondence, presentations, briefing materials, and talking points that reflect leadership voice and institutional priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage competing priorities, complex projects, and multi-stakeholder initiatives, exercising sound judgment, discretion, high level of professionalism, and confidentiality in support of executive leadership.
- Experience managing executive-level initiatives or projects across multiple units, including tracking timelines, dependencies, risks, and deliverables.
- Advanced proficiency with productivity and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, project management platforms, and virtual meeting technologies (e.g., Zoom).
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-level correspondence, presentations, briefing materials, and talking points that reflect leadership voice and institutional priorities.
- Excellent organizational, time-management, and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and complex environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships, navigate ambiguity, and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of higher education administration, particularly enrollment management or related functions, is preferred.
Modes of Work
Success as an executive assistant to the VPEM requires a high level of adaptability, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to anticipate the needs. This position will work onsite Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to ensure adequate support. This role will sometimes require flexibility in work schedule, including availability in evenings and weekends, based on business needs.
Additional Information
BENEFITS AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.