Location : Ramapo College, Main Campus - Mahwah NJ Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 202300193 Core: Executive Core Department: President Opening Date: 08/29/2024 FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: MN DescriptionABOUT RAMAPO COLLEGE: Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) develops ethical leaders who serve as change agents across all sectors. The College's unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its liberal arts core, its size (approximately 5,500 students), and its setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border provide an optimal environment for individualized, student-centered learning and leadership development. RCNJ's designation as New Jersey's Public Liberal Arts College by the State legislature is the foundation from which the College's commitment to an accessible and transformative undergraduate and graduate education is realized. Established in 1969, CondeNast Traveler named Ramapo one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America. The barrier-free campus occupies 300 acres and is home to 52 bachelor's degree programs spanning the arts, business, data science, humanities, education, nursing, social work, social sciences, and the sciences. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College's exceptional faculty. In addition, the College offers graduate programs leading to master's degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every degree program is designed and delivered through the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts of student-centered faculty scholars and staff who are committed to serving the public good through the delivery of an academically rigorous, inclusive, and a transformative collegiate experience. Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice and is recognized as the State's top college on the list of Best Disability Schools by Great Value Colleges. Further commendations include designation as a Military Friendly College in Victory Media's Guide to Military Friendly Schools, and as a leading college by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger's, Princeton Review, and Money Magazine, among others. The Opportunity: Ramapo College seeks an ambitious, people-oriented professional to join its Office of the President as Executive Project Associate. The successful candidate will be a highly skilled communicator, relationship builder, and project manager who is excited by the idea of routinely adjusting their service, as needed, to lend leadership, management, support, or counsel to the task at hand. The incumbent must be able to thrive in fast-paced environments, roll up their sleeves and meaningfully engage others to generate new ideas and shared resolutions, and thoughtfully and diligently manage a diverse array of responsibilities and projects despite interruptions. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm.
- Note: Flexible schedule is required Monday through Sunday from early mornings to late evening hours.
- Note: This position is in the NL category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule.
Examples of DutiesJob Summary Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff & Board Liaison | Vice President for Policy, Research, and Governance| College Spokesperson, the Executive Project Associate (EPA) is primarily responsible for a broad range of assignments and special projects often related to the operation of the Office of the President and its sister units across the Executive Core. Through thoughtful initiative and planning, strong relationship building, polished execution, and independent judgment, the EPA fosters the readiness, appropriate level of engagement, and responsiveness of the Office of the President on a diverse range of interpersonal, institutional, and sometimes sensitive matters. The EPA must thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment in order to troubleshoot and/or resolve problems, coordinate and assess special projects and events as assigned by the Chief of Staff, and frequently represent the Office of the President as its initial liaison to internal and external parties seeking the Office's participation in and/or imprimatur on programs, events, and communications. The EPA may work closely with the College President, Office of Communications & Public Relations, members of the Senior Leadership Team, and Special Events and Conferencing Team, as appropriate, and is required at all times to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and executive level professionalism. The position may also supervise and evaluate both office staff and staff assigned to events. Responsibilities:
- Serve as a thought partner to the Chief of Staff and as a strategic and tactical manager on select initiatives, communications, events, and projects.
- Maintain regular communication with and build strong working relationships across the college's Cores to facilitate aligned action and coordinated decision-making, and to ensure the Office of the President and its sister units have the resources needed to make timely and data-informed decisions.
- Analyze data and conduct research to arrive at trends, findings, and data-informed recommendations to shape initiatives and projects housed primarily in the Executive Core.
- Ensure the timeliness, effectiveness, and cogency of Office of the President communications.
- Maintain the accuracy and currency of the Office of the President's owned media to include its website and social media presence.
- Draft executive communications and, as directed, provide support to the Office of Communications and Public Relations on matters primarily related to institutional voice and executive content.
- Assist senior members of the Executive Core, as needed, on the development and delivery of formal communications.
- Facilitate the delivery of high-quality special events and programs.
- Lead the design, delivery, and assessment of special events housed in the Office of the President including Founders' programming, Presidential Speaker Series, Faculty Research Dinners, Student Study Breaks, Staff Recognition Awards, Board of Trustee gatherings, Roundtables, etc.
- Serve as the primary member of the Office of the President responsible for contributing to the successful delivery and executive protocols of events and programs that may be housed in other Cores/Units such as Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies, Remembrance Day, Opening Convocation, Diversity Convocation, Press Conferences, Employee Gatherings, Arching Ceremony, etc.
- Serve as the initial point of contact with event planners across the College and, at times, externally in providing direction, guidance, and support on matters regarding executive level participation, protocols, and representation.
- Support the design and delivery of State of the College Addresses, Communications Meetings, Board of Trustees Meetings, 9/11 Commemoration, Veterans Day programs, etc.
- Facilitate healthy governance, information sharing, and collaboration across Cores and diverse stakeholder groups.
- Serve on committees and complete such other service, duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Identify strengths and areas in need of improvement across the institution and partner with others, as appropriate, to champion successes and advance meaningful change.
- Serve as the back up to the Chief of Staff on matters related to the Board of Trustees and on other matters as directed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Superior writing, proofreading, and communications skills
- Able to develop strong trust-based consultative relationships across teams and units and demonstrate appreciation of a college culture and the value of working with multiple diverse constituencies
- Creative and analytical thinker able to clearly generate new ideas and convey them into actionable plans
- Strong judgment and awareness of when and how to identify, raise, and resolve issues of concern when appropriate
- Proficient in Google Suite, and CMS and intranet platforms
- Project management skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work in Mahwah, NJ and remotely, as may be appropriate
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
QualificationsRequirements Education
- Graduation from an accredited college with a Master's Degree in related field in line with the position duties and responsibilities.
Experience
- Demonstrable commitment to learning and growing as a colleague, leader, and manager.
- Three years of experience drafting senior level communications and correspondence for a range of audiences and platforms.
- Five years of progressively responsible experience working alongside diverse teams and managing a variety of projects and tasks.
- Experience in a decentralized, public, education, and/or not-for-profit environment preferred.
- Proven track record of efficiently and effectively developing, implementing, managing, and assessing projects and budgets.
- Experience serving as the individual responsible for the design, delivery, and effectiveness of special events.
Supplemental InformationEEO Statement: Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo's commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity. Ramapo offers a comprehensive benefits package through the State of New Jersey to full-time employees including health care, dental, prescription drug plans, retirement, pension, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. To learn more details, visit our