Review Vacancy
AgencySUNY System Administration
TitleSpecial Assistant for Student Success and Transformational Initiatives
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPSNU - Professional Services Negotiating Unit (UUP)
Salary RangeFrom $56000 to $62000 Annually
Duties Description The State University of New York (SUNY) seeks a Special Assistant to provide dedicated operational support for systemwide student success initiatives coordinated through the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Transformational Initiatives within the Office of Student Success.
The Associate Vice Chancellor's portfolio oversees multiple concurrent, high-visibility initiatives operating across SUNY campuses and system offices, including the Academic Momentum Campaign, the management and expansion of SUNY ASAP|ACE, the Office of Higher Education in Prison (OHEP), and cross-functional work requiring regular collaboration with Institutional Research and Data Analytics, the Budget Office, campus leadership teams, private funders, and external agencies.
The position operates within a fast-paced system administration environment supporting multiple concurrent initiatives with established timelines and external coordination requirements. The Special Assistant will contribute to the preparation and organization of materials used for planning, implementation, and reporting activities, and will assist in supporting work that involves collaboration among campuses, system offices, and external partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and prepare presentations, briefing materials, reports, and supporting documents for meetings with SUNY leadership, campuses, and external partners.
- Draft and refine written materials such as scripts, summaries, guidance documents, internal communications, and draft messaging, organizing supporting content as needed.
- Prepare agendas and background materials for meetings and working sessions; maintain associated planning calendars, key dates, and related project information to support ongoing coordination.
- Maintain organized project materials, templates, and reference materials supporting activities within Student Success and Transformational Initiatives.
- Assist in preparing recurring updates and progress summaries used to brief internal leadership.
- Support planning and preparation for webinars, convenings, and cross-campus meetings, including development of related materials.
- Collaborate with staff across SUNY System Administration offices to incorporate data, program updates, and policy information into presentations, reports, and communications materials.
- Provide scheduling and logistical support related to meetings and activities connected to the Associate Vice Chancellor's work.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience supporting projects, programs, or administrative operations.
- Demonstrated experience preparing presentations, reports, and written materials for professional use.
- Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills with careful attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet established deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in higher education, government, or a large nonprofit organization.
- Experience preparing materials for senior leadership or executive audiences.
- Familiarity with system-level or multi-campus programs.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into clear and well-structured materials.
Additional Comments Additional Information:
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $56,000-$62,000 annually.
- The state title for this position is Staff Assistant (SL-2) and is part of the United University Professions Union.
- Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. Generous amount of time off: 13 days of paid holidays per year; 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick time accrued for the first year of employment. Then increases thereafter. Please see our UUP benefits summary for additional information: https://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/benefits/benefit-summaries/UUP-FT-Benefits-at-a-Glance.pdf
SUNY System Administration Benefits
SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:
- Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
- Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
- Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
- Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules, are available depending on position.
Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates are invited to apply online. For full consideration, applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references through Interview Exchange. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.