Executive Assistant to the CEO & Student Engagement Liaison (Project Management)

Department: Executive Office
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Status: FLSA Non-Exempt
Hours: 40 hours/week
Location: Hybrid role (50% at WDIs Ann Arbor office)

About the Role:
This position plays a crucial role in supporting the leadership of WDI and engaging with students at the University of Michigan (U-M). This role involves high-level administrative support, acting as a key liaison between the CEO and various internal and external stakeholders, and contributing to the organization's strategic initiatives. This role is responsible for managing the CEO's schedule, coordinating meetings, handling confidential information, and assisting with a variety of tasks to ensure the CEO's effective and efficient operation. The individual will also serve as WDIs Liaison for U-M Student Engagement, conducting outreach, supporting student team projects, and coordinating with active student groups with interest in emerging markets. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, proactive problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills to ensure the CEO's office operates efficiently and effectively, and to ensure WDI maintains and builds upon our strong relationship with the U-M.

ABOUT the EMPLOYER:
At the William Davidson Institute ("WDI"), we believe the businesses of today can solve the challenges of tomorrow. As an independent nonprofit affiliated with the University of Michigan (U-M), we collaborate with businesses, mission-driven organizations and governments to strengthen markets, scale innovation and create sustainable impact. WDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. WDI is currently located in a temporary office space near State Street and Eisenhower (Ann Arbor), but expect to move back to our "home" (first floor suite located in the Sam Wyly Hall on central campus of the U-M) in early 2027. WDI employees are not employed by the U-M; WDI's staff are sponsored affiliates of the Ross School of Business. For more information about WDI, visit:https://wdi.umich.edu

Essential Job Functions:
1 - Support to the CEO
Schedule Management:Manage the CEO's dynamic calendar, scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements Communication: Serve as the trusted point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, managing key relationships with professionalism, maintaining a high degree of discretion and confidentiality Correspondence and Reports: Screen and manage incoming communications (emails, phone calls, and correspondence); prepare high-impact correspondence, reports and presentations on behalf of the CEO, utilizing strong editing and writing skills Meeting Coordination: Plan and coordinate meetings, including preparing agendas, distributing materials, and managing follow-up actions Travel Arrangements: Arrange and coordinate travel, including booking flights, hotels, and transportation Board Liaison and Document Management: Oversee compilation of bi-annual WDI board books; file and retrieve board documents, records and reports; support travel of board members on occasion Event Coordination: Plan and execute events, including catering and logistics, for WDI board meetings, WDI-hosted events and meetings, staff retreats and other events Research and Information Gathering: Research and gather information as requested by the CEO Expense Reports: Prepare and manage expense reports for the CEO, WDI board members and other high-profile visitors Document Management: Organize and maintain the CEO's files and records Liaison: Serve as a liaison between the CEO and internal departments, board members, and external stakeholders, maintaining clear and professional communication channels Improvements: Identify and implement improvements to administrative processes, enhancing productivity and operational efficiency
2 - Student and Fellow Engagement:
Liaison for MAP: Serve as the primary liaison to the U-M Ross School of Business Office of Action Based Learning to identify and coordinate WDI-sponsored Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) Student Engagement: Serve as WDIs liaison for student engagement, representing WDI at U-M student recruitment events, engaging and informing U-M students and student-led clubs about WDI activities, offerings and events, and connecting them to WDI experts Logistics Support: Provide logistics support for student projects Fellow Engagement: Help build the WDI Fellow and Expert Network; serve as a primary point of contact for WDI for overall engagement Alumni Engagement: Manage WDIs alumni database and build an engaged alumni network consisting of former students and fellows
3 - Additional Duties:
Support to Other Departments: Provide administrative, communications and project support to WDIs internal departments Team Engagement: Contribute to team effort by actively participating in WDI task forces and accomplishing related results Special Projects: Perform other duties as requested by the CEO

COMPENSATION & Benefits:
The total rewards package will be shared in detail with those invited to a finalist interview. WDIs compensation package includes a competitive salary based on this role in the Ann Arbor area; participation in 403(b) retirement (with immediate vesting) with the employers match of 10% as employee contributes 5% pre-tax each pay (every other Friday); WDI-paid premiums for life insurance and disability; eligibility to participate in insurance plans: BCN HMO or BCBSM plan, dental, vision; generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays, seasonal days between 12/25 and 1/1), etc.