Senior Advisor for Presidential Affairs & Communications

Salary: $115,051.00 - $149,556.00 Annually
Location : Dobbs Ferry, NY
Job Type: Full Time Staff
Job Number: 00899
Division: Office of the President
Department: President's Office
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Union Status: Non-Union

Job Posting Summary
The Senior Advisor for Presidential Affairs & Communications provides high-level support to the President, assisting in the advancement of the President's priorities and goals. This role is responsible for the central coordination of communications and ensures timely information flow to and from the President's Office. Additionally, the role oversees administrative functions, including managing the President's office staff, budget, and determining the President's scheduling priorities.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

Communications

• Manage the President's written communication with internal and external constituents, including speeches, remarks, letters, statements, routine correspondence, and reports
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Communications and Marketing on message strategies and consistency. Draft and edit correspondence on behalf of the President, ensuring accuracy and alignment with institutional priorities and Presidential voice, tone, and vision
• Manage communications for the Office of the President
• Prepare and coordinate special correspondence for the President
• Coordinate with the Office of Institutional Advancement to prepare donor-related correspondence and event remarks
• Verify editorial and factual accuracy of reports, correspondence, and materials, checking for appropriateness prior to sharing them with the President
• Manage the President's brand and reputation by ensuring the President has information on the current climate related to the President; information circulated about the President is accurate; and the President is well-prepared for events in which she participates
• Ensure the President's brand and reputation is accurately represented in online sources
• Extend the President's reach by serving as a trusted resource and representative to internal and external stakeholders

University Meetings & Events

• Plan and execute large-scale events that represent the Office of the President, including President's Cabinet, All Hands, Employee Service Awards, Holiday Party, and the Executive Leadership Team
• Collaborate with the University's event organizers, ensuring appropriate protocols are maintained for all events in which the President participates

Scheduling and Preparing for Meetings

• Work closely with the Executive Assistant to the President to optimize the President's schedule and prioritize competing demands and engagements, and to balance internal and external commitments
• Keep the President on target, fully-briefed, and well-informed of meetings, appointments, writing deadlines, correspondence, and other matters
• Prepare agendas, briefings, PowerPoint presentations, and talking points to fully prepare the President for meetings, appointments, and events
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Institutional Advancement to secure meetings with prospective and current donors. Review biographical information as requested by the President
• Work cross-functionally with University leadership to ensure alignment of the President's time and communications with institutional goals
• Act as a trusted advisor to the President, providing insights and recommendations on University operations and strategy

Manage Priorities of the President

• Represent the President in resolving problems and disputes from all constituents. Work to solve problems, mediate disputes, and work proactively with issues and people. Use exceptional judgment in determining when the President should be consulted prior to taking action
• Conduct research for the President on an array of topics
• Ensure the President is full-briefed on external and internal issues impacting operations or achievement of strategic priorities
• Track, monitor and follow the progress of projects, action items, strategies that emanate from meetings

Office Management

• Supervise the President's Office - overall responsibility for operations, routines, procedures, and effectiveness of the Office
• Serve as the direct supervisor, and lead the recruitment, training, and evaluation of President's Office staff. Assist in ensuring all personnel within the office maintain open communication and cooperation to seamlessly achieve the President's objectives
• Prepare and manage the Office of the President's budget and provides budget analysis and forecasting, expense tracking and reconciliation.
• Ensure maintenance of organizational records and pertinent materials relating to the day-to-day operation of the President's Office, including communications, correspondence, and scheduling history
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed

Qualifications
Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of advanced administrative experience (i.e. administration, project management, personnel, budgets, finance, or strategy) or related field, preferably in a higher education setting
• Exceptional written, presentation, and oral communication skills
• Strong business acumen with success influencing executive leaders; effectiveness developing partnerships across disparate groups to ensure implementation
• Experience balancing strategic leadership with detailed involvement in support of accountabilities. Outstanding critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage a wide range of relationships and multiple and competing priorities
• Excellent diplomacy in working with diverse groups, addressing demanding issues, situations, and schedules with a calm, respectful, and professional demeanor
• Exceptional people management skills and experience developing and maintaining professional office protocols, managing resources, and overseeing financial matters
• Proven experience handling highly confidential and sensitive materials and situations
• Must be assertive, creative, collaborative, and able to anticipate and resolve challenges and business needs
• Commitment to Mercy University's mission, values, and goals

Education Requirements:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., strategy, education, finance, administration, law)

About Mercy

Mercy University is a dynamic, independent, coeducational New York City area university that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs in six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Mercy is the region's largest private, nonprofit, Minority-Serving Institution, proud to serve a student body that is highly diverse. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Mercy University, has been ranked nationally among top colleges in the country for Hispanics by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and by Excelencia in Education, earning their prestigious Seal of Excelencia for intentionally serving Latino students.

Mercy University was further recognized by HACU as a national leader in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanics in several disciplines, including Psychology, Sociology, and Business. Westchester Magazine has also named Mercy the Best College in Westchester County in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Mercy is committed to offering an inclusive learning environment to help a diverse student body set a course for their future. To support its student body, Mercy has been awarded a number of federal grants which enable us to better develop and deliver education to our students.

Mercy's student body reflects the rich diversity of the New York metropolitan area. Enrollment, including full-time and part-time undergraduates and graduates, is approximately 8,800. Mercy students learn on campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx, and Manhattan as well as online.

At Mercy University we strive to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.

Our Mission:
Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education by offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, thus preparing students to embark on rewarding careers, to continue learning throughout their lives and to act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.
EEO Statement

Mercy University is an equal opportunity employer. Mercy University actively engages in recruiting a diverse workforce and student body that includes members of historically underrepresented groups and strives to build and sustain a welcoming and supportive campus community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, height, weight, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

As part of this commitment, Mercy University will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact The Office of Human Resources at (914) 674-7839, Option 6 or via email at

The posted salary range for this position is based on several legitimate, non-discriminatory factors set by the organization. Mercy is committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local pay equity laws.

Campus Safety

Mercy University is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Information regarding campus safety can be foundhere.
Mercy University strives to provide employees and their families with a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. We offer high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts, flexible spending, and much more.

Health Insurance:
UntitedHealthcare Oxford
In-network and out-of-network plan options
EmblemHealth HIP Prime HMO (Union Staff)

Dental Insurance:
UnitedHealthcare Oxford
In-network and out-of-network plan options

Vision Insurance:
UntitedHealthcare Oxford

Paid Time Off:
Mercy University provides generous leave benefits to its employees.

Disabilities & Workers Compensation Insurance:
Coverage in accordance with New York State regulations

Life Insurance:
Long-Term Disability: The Hartford
Short-Term Disability: The Hartford

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
Ameriflex

Retirement Benefits:
TIAA
The Mercy University Retirement Plan is comprised of two components:
Deferred Compensation Plan
All eligible employees may contribute to the Deferred Compensation Plan on a pre-tax basis upon joining the University.
Defined Contribution Plan
Eligible employees are enrolled in the Defined Contribution Plan after two (2) years of full-time employment at Mercy University and receive a semi-monthly contribution from the College, based on age and salary. If an employee is under age 36, they will receive a contribution of 3.3% of their annual salary each pay period. If an employee is age 36 or older, they will receive a contribution of 9% of their annual salary each pay period.
If employed full-time for two (2) or more consecutive years by another institution(s) of higher education (college or university), without an intervening break in service within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment before joining Mercy, please submit a waiting period waiver form to Office of Human Resources. The Defined Contribution will begin as of the first day of the month following receipt of the completed waiver form.

Remote Work:
Mercy University recognizes the important role that workplace flexibility can play in an employee's ability to manage work-life balance.
Learn more about our remote work policy

Tuition Remission: Staff & Faculty
Mercy University provides a competitive education to students and extends that formal education opportunity to employees, and their spouses/domestic partners, and dependents at a reduced tuition rate through this Tuition Remission Benefits Policy for Mercy Employees.
Learn more about our tuition remission

Tuition Exchange:
We are a member of the Tuition Exchange Program. Employees are eligible to apply for the Tuition Exchange Program after completing two (2) consecutive years of full-time employment.

Employee Assistance Program:
Compsych

Voluntary Benefits:
Allstate Identity Protection
LegalEase
Liberty Mutual Auto & Homeowners
Nationwide Pet Insurance
PlumBenefits
ScriptSave
Working Advantage

Note: The above describes a brief summary of benefits and is subject to change.