Working Title: Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean - School of Professional & Continuing Education

State Role Title: General Administration Supervisor I/Coordinator I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: School of Professional & Continuing Education

Department: 100066 - Professional & Continuing Education

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $45,000-$48,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 01/05/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

JMU’s School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) fosters learning across lifespans through transformative education and enrichment. SPCE offers a range of programs, including youth camps, adult degree completion, professional and workforce development, and lifelong learning, as well as partners with academic units across JMU to support a number of online or off-campus degree and certificate programs. The primary role of SPCE’s Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean is to provide administrative support for the dean. Key duties include managing the dean's calendar, travel arrangements, and meeting coordination and scheduling as well as providing administrative tasks for the dean's committees, task forces and councils. This role communicates and coordinates events with administrators from other colleges, schools and units across the university on the dean's behalf. This role plays a critical part in developing and executing SPCE's communications strategy and providing project support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Assistant to the Dean of SPCE provides executive and administrative support to the dean in a variety of areas including: correspondence, special projects, maintenance of the dean's calendar, and day-to-day operations of the dean's office. This position coordinates activities on the dean's behalf and facilitates the interaction of the dean across campus and with external partners. Works independently with a high degree of confidentiality.

-Acts as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE). Provides comprehensive assistance to the dean in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness of SPCE. This includes exercising independent judgement in the management and/or rescheduling of the dean's calendar in order to address pertinent situations and ensuring deadlines and priorities are met. Provides meeting support and manages special projects to support the dean and SPCE leadership. Coordinate travel details for the dean.
-Provides administrative support to the dean with respect to formal communications (i.e. newsletter, invitations and hospitality events, drafting remarks), data management, annual reports, annual evaluations, and special projects from the Provost and senior leadership. (i.e. dean searches).
-Coordinates internal hiring processes including ePARs and graduate assistantships and provides input and support for other fiscal concerns as needed.
-Coordinates and facilitate SPCE events such as Commencement, Giving Day, holiday gatherings, committee meetings and VIP visits; including catering, invitations, agendas, and other details.
-Provides support to SPCE Associate Dean in scheduling meetings and responding to calendar invitations. Provide other administrative support to SPCE Associate Dean as needed and as capacity allows.
-Processes all internal SPCE faculty and staff travel authorizations and reimbursements.
-Provides support and schedule meetings for SPCE committees and councils, and serve as a liaison and point of coordination for the faculty and staff, ensuring information is shared with regard to meetings, requests for information, and deadlines.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
-Working knowledge of Adobe Suite, Zoom, and MS Teams
-Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft 360
-Working knowledge of Powerpoint, Canva and other presentation software
-Working knowledge of Doodle and other meeting planning tools
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-Excellent customer service skills
-Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
-Ability to work with a broad range of audiences and multiple stakeholders
-Works well independently, as well as in a team
-Demonstrated experience in handling confidential information and matters

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.