Senior Administrative Assistant – Cranbrook Upper School

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending our Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook “the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America” and in 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. For more, please visit our website: www.cranbrook.edu and take an aerial tour of the campus.

The Senior Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Faculty also serves as the Testing Center Coordinator for the Upper School. Situated in the Testing Center, this person will greet students and manage special academic testing situations while balancing clerical and organizational tasks for the Dean of Faculty, Academic Deans, and other offices. Frequent interactions with students and faculty require outstanding interpersonal skills, a nurturing disposition toward adolescents, and an inclination to help while simultaneously maintaining strict boundaries. Comforting and confronting teenagers in difficult situations requires strength of character and good judgement. Similarly, the integrity of testing material, student information, and personal employee information is of paramount importance, so confidentiality and privacy must always be maintained.

Clerical work is also substantial. Duties include management of numerous and varied test materials, timing requirements, and documentation, as well as tasks related to faculty hiring, onboarding, orientation, evaluation, professional development and other projects. Candidates are expected to have superb attention to detail, accuracy, organizational skills, fluency with technology, and be able to navigate systems within a complex organization. Management of student testing is always the top priority, but ad-hoc projects are assigned throughout the year, so it is necessary to dynamically assess various tasks and prioritize urgent work over less urgent work.

Work extends from August through June each year, Monday – Friday with occasional holidays, and the hours are 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM with a 30-minute break for lunch. Complimentary lunch is provided in our dining hall. Days off must be taken over long school holidays, and as often as possible on our occasional singleton holidays.

Requirements:

• Substantial experience as an Administrative Assistant, as independent thinking and spur of the moment problem solving is necessary.
• A High School Diploma or GED is required; an Associate’s degree is preferred. 
• Minimum of four years of strong office administration background which demonstrates increasing levels of responsibility and accomplishment. 
• Requires strong communication skills; it is necessary to willingly and positively communicate clear and accurate information to a variety of constituencies utilizing oral, written and electronic tools.
• All roles will require tact and diplomacy; it is necessary to maintain positive and effective working relationships with students, faculty, families, administrators, and other Cranbrook departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and 365 suite, internet browsers, email, and enough familiarization with technology that the incorporation of new applications would be successful.
• Experience with scheduling software and other Cranbrook-specific computer software such as CranNet and other web-based applications preferred. 
• Ability to work with educational software and equipment specific to learning accommodations.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks.
• Requires a valid Michigan driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

For consideration, please submit a curriculum vitae or résumé, cover letter, and two or three letters of recommendation with contact information. Please note: Applications received by Friday, July 26, 2024 will be given priority consideration.