Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. This means developing an inclusive and accepting community where adults feel empowered to design educational experiences for students that deepen their learning, engaging their emotions as well as their intellect. Hawken School seeks culturally competent faculty and staff who are committed to equity and social justice, comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire curiosity while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness.

Successful candidates for any role at Hawken School must demonstrate skill and commitment in all the following key areas:

Mission, Culture, and Philosophical Alignment: Candidates must show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the School’s mission.

Relationship Building and Cultivation: Candidates must show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.

Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Candidates must indicate a commitment to and have experience serving students and community equitably.

Humility and Growth Mindset: Candidates must be eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.

Approach to Work: Candidates must show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem solving.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Hawken School is seeking a hard-working individual eager to work in a dynamic and collaborative team-based environment with thoughtful individuals. The Executive Assistant to the Head of School supports the head’s leadership role and performs administrative and operational tasks to maintain an effective and well-organized office reflective of the School’s mission and values. The person in this position also provides clerical and organizational support for the Board of Trustees. As the forward-facing person for the Head of School’s office, an ideal candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, approachable, accessible, flexible, and discrete, while being an active member of the School.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Managing the HOS office

• Manages and prioritizes multiple conflicting demands with composure
• Keeps the Head of School (HOS) fully informed of all relevant details
• Ensures the HOS is represented at all important events, either personally or by arranging an appropriate stand-in
• Prioritizes the HOS’s work and external commitments
• Carefully tracks and triages incoming emails and calendar requests in alignment with the HOS’s priorities
• Thoughtfully delegates requests to other offices when they can be more effectively handled outside the HOS’s office

Judgment Skills

• Exhibits sound decision-making and fair judgment skills
• Refers issues to the appropriate authority when necessary
• Works effectively independent of constant supervision or direction

Task Management Skills

• Anticipates HOS needs and addresses them efficiently
• Balances many priorities and designs a suitable workflow
• Foresees problems and takes pre-emptive actions
• Manages daily workflow for the HOS
• Works to keep only those things that need the HOS attention on the HOS “To Do” list
• Ensures completion of crucial projects within the time frame

Adaptive Skills

• Demonstrates flexibility and adapts readily to change
• Maintains a positive attitude toward all types of work
• Adjusts and manages the HOS’s schedule and workflow in response to emergencies and urgent situations
• Understands the HOS’s preferences for triaging and delegating incoming requests
• Continuously builds understanding of school priorities to delegate requests to the HOS’s office effectively

Organizational Skills

• Uses time effectively to maximize productivity
• Allocates time appropriately based on the tasks at hand
• Organizes office space and paperwork efficiently

Communication Skills

• Listens attentively and actively works to strengthen communication skills
• Writes clearly and professionally, free of errors
• Pays close attention to detail in communications to minimize mistakes that could reflect poorly on the school
• Speaks with confidence and conveys messages that are clear and easily understood
• Effectively uses oral and written communication to convey a positive message

Independent School/Business Acumen

• Demonstrates awareness of fundamental non-profit and school governance principles
• Understands and models effective organizational behavior
• Possesses a broad understanding of the operations and business practices of independent schools

Team Player Skills

• Values being counted upon as a competent team member
• Prioritizes group goals and participates accordingly
• Is willing to be a back-up support for others working with the HOS

Computer/Technical Skills

• Displays proficiency in using the standard office equipment and office software (MS Office, Google Suite, etc.)
• Displays a proficiency in using computers, peripherals, and accessories
• Demonstrates advanced proficiency by quickly adapting to new technology

Client Service Skills

• Responds to queries promptly and with professionalism
• Stays informed about the latest developments in the client’s business
• Interacts with clients and colleagues in a professional manner

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should possess most of the following attributes and competencies:

• Bachelor's degree (strongly preferred)
• Strong work tenure: minimum of 5 years of experience supporting a senior leader, preferably a senior administrator in a non-profit organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Adobe Acrobat, and Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.)

THE SCHOOL

Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students from toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, with two campuses in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, a campus on Cleveland’s west side, and a campus in University Circle, home to the Mastery School of Hawken and our school-wide center for experiential and service learning. A nationally recognized leader in innovative programming, Hawken prepares students to meet the challenges of tomorrow's world.

To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu.

HOW TO APPLY

External Candidates: Please send a resume and cover letter to hawkenemployment@hawken.edu.

Internal candidates: Please email Associate Head of School, Suzette Dyer, for a conversation about the internal review process.

Hawken School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.