Southern Methodist University
Assistant to the Faculty Senate (HR Title: Administrative Specialist II)
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215
Hourly Range:
$29.82 per hour
About SMU:
SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
Assistant to the President of the Faculty Senate elected by the Faculty each year. Support the President in all capacities including facility reservation, material preparation and facilitation and other support for: Faculty Senate and Executive Committee meetings (typically monthly or semi-monthly), Fall and Spring General Faculty meetings, Honorary Degree recipient events, Executive Committee-Board of Trustees dinner, and Outstanding Staff Awards. Create and distribute presentation materials, agendas, reports, and other materials to Senators via centralized electronic system like Box cloud storage. Prepare, file and record Senate information. Manage regular Senate correspondence and otherwise pivot to problem-solving as business needs dictate and issues arise. In-person daily during regular business hours, 4 hours per day.
Essential Functions: Assist Senate President in drafting and creating agendas, correspondence, documents and presentations (PowerPoint). Respond to Senate inquiries (usually email). Monitor budget and supplies. Edit, distribute and collate minutes, reports, rosters, calendar via Senate website and cloud storage (Box). Create and distribute committee interest survey in the Spring. Assist with identifying and assigning committee membership in the summer (who is rolling off, stipulations for each committee's seats per each Division and College). Plan, prepare, facilitate and execute meetings including, though not exclusively: Executive Committee, Faculty Senate, General Faculty. Includes Outlook calendar invitations, room reservation and set-up, technology support, etc. Organize yearly Senate elections including ballot preparation and distribution (Qualtrics or other survey software). Work with each College's executive assistant to solicit candidates. Organize Honorary Degree nominations, letters and records. Maintain confidentiality. Organize and execute before-Commencement symposium and related events. Collect and manage nominations for Outstanding Staff Awards. Solicit gifts, order awards, and related planning. Arrange for winners to be contacted and present at awards ceremony. Prepare and maintain archives and continuity of the Senate and its history. Scan or otherwise digitize historical files to create a digital archive. Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's degree is required.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Previous administrative experience is also required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe. Familiarity with Qualtrics or other survey/polling software, Sitecore or other website editing software is a plus.
Physical and Environmental Demands: Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
September 30, 2025
EEO Statement:
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .
$29.82 per hour
About SMU:
SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities - from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
Assistant to the President of the Faculty Senate elected by the Faculty each year. Support the President in all capacities including facility reservation, material preparation and facilitation and other support for: Faculty Senate and Executive Committee meetings (typically monthly or semi-monthly), Fall and Spring General Faculty meetings, Honorary Degree recipient events, Executive Committee-Board of Trustees dinner, and Outstanding Staff Awards. Create and distribute presentation materials, agendas, reports, and other materials to Senators via centralized electronic system like Box cloud storage. Prepare, file and record Senate information. Manage regular Senate correspondence and otherwise pivot to problem-solving as business needs dictate and issues arise. In-person daily during regular business hours, 4 hours per day.
Essential Functions: Assist Senate President in drafting and creating agendas, correspondence, documents and presentations (PowerPoint). Respond to Senate inquiries (usually email). Monitor budget and supplies. Edit, distribute and collate minutes, reports, rosters, calendar via Senate website and cloud storage (Box). Create and distribute committee interest survey in the Spring. Assist with identifying and assigning committee membership in the summer (who is rolling off, stipulations for each committee's seats per each Division and College). Plan, prepare, facilitate and execute meetings including, though not exclusively: Executive Committee, Faculty Senate, General Faculty. Includes Outlook calendar invitations, room reservation and set-up, technology support, etc. Organize yearly Senate elections including ballot preparation and distribution (Qualtrics or other survey software). Work with each College's executive assistant to solicit candidates. Organize Honorary Degree nominations, letters and records. Maintain confidentiality. Organize and execute before-Commencement symposium and related events. Collect and manage nominations for Outstanding Staff Awards. Solicit gifts, order awards, and related planning. Arrange for winners to be contacted and present at awards ceremony. Prepare and maintain archives and continuity of the Senate and its history. Scan or otherwise digitize historical files to create a digital archive. Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's degree is required.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Previous administrative experience is also required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe. Familiarity with Qualtrics or other survey/polling software, Sitecore or other website editing software is a plus.
Physical and Environmental Demands: Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
September 30, 2025
EEO Statement:
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .