Executive Assistant 1

The Graduate School of Education (GSE) is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant who thrives at the center of a busy, relationship-driven organization.

This role is ideal for someone who anticipates what needs to happen next, brings order to competing priorities, and exercises sound judgement about what needs attention, and when.

As a close working partner to the Associate Dean for External Relations, you will combine excellent executive support with thoughtful problem-solving, strong relationships, and a high degree of independence.

• Interested applicants should submit a clear, thoughtful cover letter that helps us understand why this position and the GSE are a good fit for you.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• The budgeted hourly rate for this position is $47.12 - $48.07.

The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a top-ranked school of education, known for its distinguished faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and impact on education around the world.

The GSE develops leaders in education research, practice, and policy and brings together a community of more than 60 faculty, 400 students, 300 staff, 14,000 alumni and a broad network of partners in local and global communities.

The Executive Assistant provides high-level support to the Associate Dean for External Relations, who leads the school’s fundraising, alumni relations, donor engagement, and advancement services functions.

You will be a close working partner to the Associate Dean, helping manage a fast-moving portfolio of relationships, commitments, and priorities with significant autonomy and judgment.

This is more than a calendar-management role.

You will often be the first person to assess a request, understand its context, and determine what needs to happen next.

Knowing when to act independently, when to seek additional information, and when to bring something to the Associate Dean’s attention will be central to your success.

The role sits at the intersection of the Associate Dean’s leadership responsibilities and the broader External Relations team, connecting you with GSE and university leaders, faculty, donors, alumni, volunteers, and partners across Stanford and beyond.

Your ability to connect people, information, and priorities will help strengthen the relationships and resources that advance the GSE’s mission.

Areas of Focus

This role’s core duties are defined by the Executive Assistant 1 job classification.

In this position, that work centers on the following areas:

• Calendar and Time Management: Manage a complex, dynamic calendar with limited consultation; assess and negotiate competing requests for the Associate Dean’s time; and anticipate scheduling needs, conflicts, and priorities.
• Communications and Coordination: Organize, prioritize, and route communications, requests, and action items; serve as a key liaison with internal and external partners; and ensure important information reaches the right people at the right time.
• Meetings, Events, and Travel: Plan and coordinate meetings, conferences, special events, and complex business travel involving university leaders, donors, government officials, and other internal and external partners.
• Correspondence, Documentation, and Research: Draft correspondence and presentations; research and compile materials; and organize information needed to support meetings, decisions, and follow-up.
• Financial Coordination: Review and route expense reports, reimbursement requests, and routine invoices for approval, working with appropriate business office contacts to resolve discrepancies.
• Projects and Follow-Through: Track multiple projects, deadlines, decisions, and action items; anticipate critical dates and next steps; and follow up with appropriate parties to keep commitments moving forward. May supervise administrative staff.

What You’ll Bring: We are looking for an Executive Assistant who brings excellent judgment, organization, and follow-through to a role with considerable independence.

You anticipate needs, take ownership of your work, manage competing demands, and know what you can resolve independently and what requires the Associate Dean’s attention.

You pay attention to detail while keeping sight of the larger priorities behind the work.

Strong interpersonal instincts are equally important.

You build trust across a range of audiences, communicate clearly and diplomatically, and handle sensitive matters with discretion.

We value someone who remains steady and resourceful when plans change, enjoys solving problems, and brings a collaborative spirit, curiosity, a sense of humor, and pride in producing excellent work.