Executive Specialist 

General Summary/Purpose:
The Office of the Provost is the most senior academic administration office at Johns Hopkins University, headed by Provost Sunil Kumar, the Chief Academic Officer.  The Provost’s office advances the academic mission of the university by identifying and facilitating initiatives across academic divisions, coordinating and strengthening university policies and procedures, and supporting research, education and the student experience across the entire university.

This position provides high-level programmatic support to the Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education (VP). The office of the VP works closely with the nine JHU schools’ vice deans of education, members of the Doctor of Philosophy Board, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Integrative Learning and Life Design, and other stakeholders across the University, to help schools evaluate and improved the education experiences for their graduate students and prepare them for life after graduation. The Program Manager will assist in managing, coordinating, and facilitating the accomplishment of organizational goals and strategic initiatives as directed by the VP. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, effective written and verbal communication, and the ability to work independently. In addition, the Program Manager will collaborate efficiently with members of the Office of the Provost, prioritize multiple tasks, and take a proactive approach to work assignments.    

The ideal candidate will have an interest in best practices in graduate education, including mentoring, professional development, holistic admissions, equity and inclusion, and assessing emerging strategies for potential implementation.  Because a large part of this role is summarizing trends from disparate data resources, the ideal candidate will be able to analyze and effectively summarize data, will be an effective communicator, both in verbal communication and creating high-level executive summaries and reports for university leadership. 

Note: Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prepare the VP for a variety of key meetings, presentations, discussions, etc., including researching and gathering critical information on issues, developing and proposing agenda items, and conducting necessary follow-ups for multiple standing meetings.

• Assist the VP in tracking graduate academic initiatives and priorities for Johns Hopkins.

• Prepare first drafts of reports, presentations, emails, and meeting minutes.

• Staff the Doctor of Philosophy Board and the PhD Student Advisory Committee (prepare agendas, prepare written materials, interact with members, keep minutes).

• Occasionally represent and speak on behalf of the VP at meetings.

• Manage special projects on behalf of the VP.

• Anticipate and problem solve issues and concerns impacting the VP; participate in priority setting and brainstorming with the VP and with members of the VP’s direct reports.

• Develop institutional relationships and collaborate/liaise extensively with a variety of individuals inside and outside the Office of the Provost on matters central to the VP's area(s) of responsibility.

• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Master’s degree required.

• At least five years of project management experience in support of academic, business, research and/or development activities. Additional education may be substituted for experience.  

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.

• Proven ability to multi-task, prioritize projects, and adhere to deadlines.

• Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail.

• Discretion for confidential information.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and respond quickly, creatively, and flexibly.

• Technologically savvy – experience with academic research search engines, social media, cloud-based document sharing (Microsoft 365, OneDrive), and project management tools.

• Strong computer literacy skills, specifically with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or other terminal degree.

• Experience in data analysis and visualization, including data visualization tools (ex. Tableau).

• Preferred experience in higher education from a research driven institution, with understanding of higher educational leadership and administration, higher education structure and governance, and factors that affect decision making at private research institutions.

• Experience and working knowledge in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

• Understanding of nationally recognized practices, trends, and procedures for higher education, especially the unique needs of doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

• Experience in developing and implementing effective assessment methods and articulating strategic priorities.

Classified Title: Senior Program Manager 
Working Title: Executive Specialist  
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PD 
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F, 8:30m - 5:00 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt  
Location: 01-MD:Homewood Campus 
Department name: 10000055-Vice Provost Education, Ofc of 
Personnel area: University Administration