Confidential Executive Officer and Strategic Projects Manager - Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

POSITION DETAILS

The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, founded in 2006, is nationally recognized for its innovative graduate programs. As one of only a handful public graduate journalism schools in the U.S., we prepare students from diverse backgrounds to produce high-quality journalism that serves the public interest.

Our programs include the Master of Arts in Journalism, a unique bilingual M.A. in Journalism for students fluent in English and Spanish, and the nation's first M.A. in Engagement Journalism. We equip the next generation of journalists with the reporting, writing, technological, and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in our rapidly evolving media landscape.

The Newmark J-School seeks a dynamic and experienced Confidential Executive Associate and Strategic Projects Manager to provide executive-level, confidential administrative support to the Dean, and support with the management of strategic campus-wide projects. The Associate will undertake a variety of confidential and time-sensitive projects, ensuring project completion, and must be able to manage and prioritize the work in a manner consistent with goals of the Dean s office.

A successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the landscape of public higher education, and ideally familiarity with the media and journalism industry. They are entrepreneurial, innovative, and passionate about the role an executive leader plays in the success of the institution. They offer adequate support to the Dean for her to effectively lead the school, and have a strong record of working across successful teams.

This position is excluded from union representation.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provides confidential managerial and administrative support to the Dean.
• Ensures the Dean is fully prepared for all meetings and activities; prepare and/or coordinate all briefing materials.
• Guides and troubleshoots budget planning and timeline management for SOJ strategic projects, monitors key initiatives and facilitates timeline updates and status reports.
• Oversees the Dean's complex calendar, scheduling travel and meetings with various constituents, and ensure that all commitments, responsibilities and deadlines are met. Prepare agendas, reports, etc, in preparation for meetings.
• Handles confidential correspondence on behalf of the Dean, responds to requests on behalf of the Dean as appropriate, referring matters to other areas of the school as necessary; tracks referred items to completion.
• Researches issues of importance and prepare briefs for the Dean. Assists in the preparation of concept presentations/briefs around new projects and initiatives.
• Manages reporting activities, analyze information, and assists with strategic planning, business process optimization, and special initiatives to enhance the school s effectiveness.
• Liaises regularly with internal and external constituents, as directed by the Dean.
• Documents, develops and streamlines, as appropriate, administrative workflow processes.
• Manages confidential record keeping, distributing information, and other departmental functions within the office of the Dean.
• Serves as scribe for the Dean for meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Dean.

This position is in-person with the possibility of remote work on Fridays.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and success building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey professional information clearly and accurately.
• Familiarity with the journalism industry, news media landscape, or related fields is a plus.
• Ability to multi-task, anticipate needs, and handle shifting priorities; strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated project and budget management skills and familiarity with project management, fundraising and budget planning software.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism; a collaborative team player.
• Deep understanding of the landscape of public higher education.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

As a senior staff member serving as a confidential assistant in a Campus or University Executive's office, leads unit initiatives, participates in planning and setting priorities, and drives strategic initiatives to ensure their success.

• Participates in planning and in setting policies with responsibility for preparing aspects of strategic and operational plans
• Participates in developing and executing performance management systems to evaluate progress
• Works with other Campus and University units to oversee complex, high-priority projects, with responsibility for outcomes
• Represents the Executive in Campus or University-wide activities and may act in his/her place as needed
• Independently carries out major responsibilities under the Executive's purview, such as monitoring and evaluating unit activities, financial planning and review, serving as chair of key committees, and communications with senior Campus or University management
• May serve as Chief of Staff of a large Executive Office
• Performs related duties as assigned.

This position is excluded from union representation.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$122,201 - $131,440. Salary commensurate with education and experience. (Salary range will increase to $126,478 - $136,040 as of 9/1/26 per the PSC contract).

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Click on "Apply Now" below which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply. Please submit a cover letter and resume in Word or PDF format.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with a review of applications to begin on June 8, 2026.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32226

Location: School of Journalism

Job Type: Full-Time

About CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism

The City University of New York’s CUNY Graduate School of Journalism offers a top-notch, affordable education teaching traditional journalism values while preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape. As the profession reinvents itself for the digital age, the CUNY J-School is at the forefront of equipping the next generation of journalists with the tools to find stories and tell them effectively — using print, broadcast, visual, interactive, and social media. Just as importantly, our faculty of seasoned, award-winning journalists is preparing students to re-imagine how journalism is practiced so they can help lead the changes underway. Our students reflect the ethnic, economic, and international diversity of the world, and they take pride in digging out stories about people and neighborhoods in New York City often overlooked in the media. In our state-of-the-art facility just off Times Square, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism is learning and teaching change.

Connections working at CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism