Strategic Assistant to the Head of School

The Strategic Assistant to the Head of School at St. Mark’s Episcopal School is an experienced professional, well-versed in working closely with an organizational leader, and embodying an enthusiasm for independent schools. The Strategic Assistant to the Head of School’s primary goal is to amplify the Head of School’s effectiveness by managing his time and top priorities, combining high-level strategic and operational duties with traditional administrative support, serving as his “right-hand.” The Strategic Assistant to the Head of School must intuitively and proactively anticipate needs so that the HoS’s actions and execution are smooth, effective, and efficient. The Strategic Assistant to the Head of School is a catalyst who supports the HoS’s needs and actions, creating the conditions for smooth execution and serving as a trusted thought partner to strengthen enterprise-level understanding and decision-making. 

Core responsibilities

Strategic planning and project management

• Drive key initiatives, as identified by the HoS, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence.
• Serve as a thought partner to the HoS, acting as a sounding board and strategic advisor to both him and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Coordinate special projects or initiatives that do not clearly fit within a specific department, as assigned by the HoS.
• Assist the HoS in preparing meeting agendas, briefing materials, and presentations, and track follow-up actions to ensure they are completed.
• Manage projects for key schoolwide initiatives.

Communication and relationship management

• Serve as a welcoming, discrete and effective representative of the HoS’s office, which includes greeting guests, managing correspondence, etc.
• Act as a steward for the HoS’s time and attention, filtering and prioritizing information, serving as the primary point of contact between the HoS and both internal and external stakeholders.
• Support communications, drafting emails, reports, presentations, and internal or external communications as directed by the HoS.
• Strengthen organizational alignment, bridging communication gaps between senior leaders and different departments to ensure everyone is moving toward the same goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with staff, partners, vendors, and clients. 

Administrative and organizational support

• Proactively manage and prioritize a complex and demanding calendar to align the HoS’s schedule with strategic priorities.
• Organize complex travel arrangements and accommodations, as well as expense reconciliation.
• Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Perform administrative tasks for the HoS, such as managing correspondence, maintaining files, coordinating meetings, and interfacing between the HoS’s office and all other Administrative Departments and Academic Heads.
• Coordinate and facilitate event logistics and planning at the request of HoS.

Requirements:

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Mastery and affinity for using multiple digital platforms, tools, and interfaces, and a capacity to expand.
• A bachelor’s degree and prior experience as an administrative assistant to a high-level executive is preferred.
• Available for event work, including occasional evenings and after-hours, at times with limited notice.
• Ability to work with agency and creativity within established guidelines.
• Demonstrate effectiveness as a self-starter and adept in managing multiple priorities and projects.
• Work efficiently and effectively under pressure, handling a wide range of activities.
• A strong commitment to excellence and consistent high-level performance.
• A proven track record of consistent and reliable attendance, and the willingness to plan time that meets the needs of the School and HoS’s calendars.

Acknowledgments

In the event you are invited for an interview, the following items are required for further consideration:

• A copy of your college transcript.
• A completed and signed Background inquiry release. This is a criminal check that is required of all employees by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. St. Mark's Episcopal School will provide this document to you.
• Evidence of citizenship or a legal work permit.

I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION I HAVE LISTED IS CORRECT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE REQUIRED AND THAT THE SUBMISSION OF THIS APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN INTERVIEW OR JOB OFFER. I UNDERSTAND THAT ST. MARK'S WILL KEEP MY APPLICATION ON FILE FOR ONE YEAR.

WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

I understand that the School is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, handicap or disability, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

I authorize former and present employers, and professional, work, and personal references listed in the application and any other individuals I may name, to give the School or its designee any and all information concerning my previous employment and any pertinent information they may have, personal or otherwise and release such parties from all liability for any damages that may result from furnishing same to the School. I also authorize the School to provide truthful information concerning my employment with it to future employers and I agree to hold it harmless for providing such information.

I understand that the School reserves the right, to the extent permitted by law, to require drug and alcohol screening tests of an applicant or an employee either prior to employment or any time during employment and I hereby give my consent to any such tests. I consent to the release of the results of any such tests to the School or its designee. I release the School and its designee from any and all liability and damages which may result or arise from any drug test or the provision of information in connection with such a test.

I understand that this employment application and any other School documents are not promises of employment. If I am hired and not employed pursuant to a contract of employment that contains a specific duration of employment, I understand that my employment will be on a trial period for ninety (90) days from the date of my hiring and that I will remain an at-will employee thereafter. I further understand that, if I am employed, I can terminate my employment at any time with or without cause and with or without advance notice, and that the School has a similar right. I understand that no manager, representative, or agent of the School has any authority to enter into any agreement for employment for any specified period of time, or to make any agreement contrary to the foregoing, except that the Head of School may do so in writing. If I am hired under a contract, the contract will control the terms of my employment.

The information given by me on this application and during the interview process is true and complete in all respects, and I agree that if the information is found to be false, misleading, or unsatisfactory in any respect (in the School’s judgment) that I will be disqualified from consideration for employment or subject to immediate dismissal if discovered after I am hired.

THIS APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED “ACTIVE” FOR A MAXIMUM OF ONE YEAR. IF YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT AFTER THAT TIME, YOU MUST REAPPLY. DO NOT SIGN UNTIL YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE STATEMENTS.

By completing this application, I am acknowledging that I have read and accepted the statements above.