Executive Assistant, Program for Leadership and Character

External Applicants: 

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.

• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

Apply from your existing Workday account in the Jobs Hub. Do not apply from this website. 

A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

Summary:

The Program for Leadership and Character seeks a conscientious, creative, energetic, responsive, and organized professional to become Executive Assistant for the Executive Director of Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools and to work closely with the Director of Program Operations in the Professional Schools. Under general supervision, the Executive Assistant will be responsible for managing the schedule, communications, and priorities of the Executive Director and a new Director of the Leadership and Character in the Law Network to be hired later this year. Priorities include providing administrative and strategic support; managing calendars and correspondence for the Executive Director and Network Director; preparing briefing materials; coordinating travel arrangements, including cost-tracking and reimbursement; assisting with notetaking and follow-up; offering administrative and organizational support; providing general research assistance on topics of scholarly and programmatic importance; assisting with the communicating findings to public audiences; and supporting conferences, convenings, program events, and workshops as needed. This is a 3-year, grant-funded fixed term position ending June 30, 2029. The position is vital to facilitating the transformative impact of a major initiative that is developing leaders of character at Wake Forest and catalyzing a national community focused on educating character at colleges and universities across the US.
About the Program for Leadership and Character:

The Program for Leadership and Character inspires, educates, and empowers leaders of character to serve humanity. Through innovative teaching, creative programming, and cutting-edge research, the Program aims to transform the lives of students, foster an inclusive culture of leadership and character at Wake Forest, and catalyze a broader public conversation that places character at the center of leadership. Over the last decade, Wake Forest faculty have become leading experts in the study of character, and the Program for Leadership and Character has been profiled as a national leader in character education. The Program has received major grants from the John Templeton Foundation, Lilly Endowment, and Kern Family Foundation, as well as other foundations and supporters. Most recently, the Program received a $5 million grant to expand the Program’s impact in legal education at Wake Forest and beyond. For more information about the Program, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/

About Wake Forest University:

Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, NC (“The City of Arts and Innovation”), the University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim to educate the whole person, the University has established an innovative Program for Leadership and Character that offers creative programming and courses to help students develop the character needed to lead ethically in an increasingly complex world.

Please submit a cover letter and resume through the Workday application portal. Applications received by August 10, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

This is a full time, fixed term position lasting approximately 3 years.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Uses independent judgment and wisdom to support the Executive Director and Network Director in the planning, coordination, and completion of projects and tasks. 

• Manages the calendar and correspondence of the Executive Director and Network Director to maximize their impact and ability to teach, write, and lead the Program. 

• Coordinates travel and scheduling and provides administrative and strategic support to the Executive Director and Network Director. 

• Briefs Executive Director and Network Director before meetings; takes notes either during meetings; enters meeting notes, artifacts, and contact information into relevant databases such as Workday and other management programs; and coordinates follow-ups when appropriate.

• Assists with routine communications when appropriate and with support, including meeting planning, scheduling, inquiries, and follow-up.

• Supports the Executive Director and Network Director in managing important projects, partnerships, and relationships. 

• Assists with correspondence and financial tracking for contract grants awarded to external law schools associated with the Law Network.

• Provides assistance with data collection and management for grant reporting purposes.

• Provides research assistance for scholarly publications, projects, and presentations related to leadership and character.

• Assists with disseminating research, teaching, and program-related information online and via social media. 

• Completes expense reimbursement and tracks spending for the Executive Director and Network Director.

• Communicates effectively and regularly with the Executive Director and Network Director.  

• Collaborates with and supports the Director of Program Operations in the Professional Schools to ensure alignment across administrative functions across the Professional Schools team.

• Assists with organizing conferences, events, convenings, and workshops for the Program for Leadership and Character, including collaborating with other team members and campus partners to ensure successful execution.

• Assists with other duties as needed.

Other Functions:

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Five or more years of direct experience as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, Office Manager, or related role. 

• General knowledge of executive administration and coordination.

• Exceptional self-management, strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to efficiently organize workflow, anticipate needs, and adapt to the demands of a fast-growing program. 

• Careful attention to detail. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• Openness to feedback, a commitment to personal and professional growth, and a demonstrated ability to update skills on a continual basis.

• Ability to take direction, work independently, and work with others as part of a team. 

• Good character, wise judgment, and a strong work ethic, along with the ability to meet high standards of professionalism. 

• A deep commitment to the transformative mission of the Program for Leadership and Character and a desire to extend its impact at Wake Forest and across the globe.

Demonstrated ability to:

• Work independently with minimal supervision.

• Anticipate and solve problems creatively.

• Be a constructive and cooperative member of a team.

• Navigate complex relational dynamics with a variety of stakeholders.

• Develop collaborative relationships with a wide range of people.

• Manage and meet deadlines on multiple tasks with multiple teams while maintaining high quality performance. 

• Manage projects, improve workflow, and increase the team’s efficiency and effectiveness.

• Write and communicate with precision, clarity, and care. 

• Maintain high standards of professionalism and navigate a variety of social contexts.

• Support the mission of the Program for Leadership and Character and learn more about leadership and character development.

• Be proficient in Word, Excel, Adobe, PowerPoint, and Google documents.

• Represent the Program and the University in a professional manner.
   

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience in higher education. 

• Research skills and/or experience. 

• Experience with graphic design, social media engagement, and/or website management. 

Accountabilities:

• Reports to the Executive Director and Director of Program Operations, Program for Leadership and Character in the Professional Schools. 

• Responsible for their own work.

Budgetary responsibilities.

Communicating with internal and external stakeholders in a manner that reflects the mission and vision of the Program for Leadership and Character and Wake Forest University. 

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing. 

• Occasional light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Environmental Conditions:

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.  

 

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact

AskHR@wfu.edu

 or (336) 758-4700.