Title (Function): Professional Staff Assistant to the Department of Marketing and Communications
Department: Department of Marketing and Communications
Reports To: Vice President of Communications
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation: $47,000.00-57,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!
Open Date: 7/23/2025
Close Date: 08/10/2025 11:59 PM MST
SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE
At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It's this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.
From this place of humility and courage, we've built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.
Inspired by the soul of the West-the spirit that our region embodies-we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.
Colorado Mesa University Core Values
Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
Humility - Suspending one's ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals
SECTION II - THE SEAT
The Professional Staff Assistant to the Department of Marketing and Communications provides high-level support to the Vice President for Communications and marketing and communication department including directors.
Responsible for the central coordination of activities and ensuring timely flow of information to and from the Vice President's Office, department leadership, and other on-campus and external departments and stakeholders. The position functions as assistant to the Vice President of Communications as a key member of the VP's team and provides administrative and logistical support for the department leadership.
OVERVIEW AND ROLE SCOPE OF TEAM AND/OR TASKS
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Supports the Vice President and Department Directors as intra-departmental liaison coordinating meetings between campus leaders, the President's office, the CMU executive leadership team, standing committee meetings, intra-departmental meetings, academic programs and other related organizational stakeholders.
- Drafts agendas, organizes meeting schedules, distributes meeting notices, record meeting minutes and distributes follow-up action items in connection with meetings attended or hosted by the Vice President and or Department Directors as needed.
- Maintains office administrative processes and logistics coordination. Maintains office supplies and facilitates office building maintenance with support from IT and facilities. Processes invoices, expense reports and supports department directors in maintaining subscriptions, sustaining service contracts and executing inter-departmental agreements.
- Identifies, proposes and implements operational and process improvements to optimize team performance.
- Provides project management support for projects that originate from Vice President and Department Directors.
- Performs other logistical and project support duties needed by Department Directors and agreed to by Vice President.
Vice President's office & coordination between leadership team:
- Support the Vice President in strategic execution of initiatives related to the mission, vision and values of CMU.
- Extend the Vice President's reach by serving as a trusted resource and representative to internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversees efficient functioning of the Vice President's office including support and direction of the management of the Vice President's schedule.
- Coordinate and clarify assignments among offices and programs and execute decisions made by directors and team members during meetings to ensure follow-up and accountability for assigned responsibilities.
- Track institutional priorities and status of key projects and initiatives.
- Handle queries, questions, concerns, and requests on behalf of the Vice President and Department Directors.
- Develop and maintain an inventory of critical projects undertaken by the Vice President's office and directors.
- Proactive identification of issues that could impact the execution of initiatives.
Independent leadership of special projects assigned by the Vice President -
Employee Engagement & Campus Culture:
- Work with the Vice President and directors to align people strategy with business strategy and create a welcoming, energizing, and rewarding place to work.
- Develop and build relationships to serve as a resource for the Vice President and point of contact as designated for key constituents to resolve complex issues and help move forward strategic priorities.
Other related duties may be assigned. -
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- This position reports to the Vice President of Communications and may supervises student worker(s) who support the department in the areas of logistics or administration.
SECTION III - OUR DESIRES FOR RIGHT FIT
For the success of our mission and our teams, we desire to have individuals who are a "Right Fit" in our seats. We define "Right Fit" as those who embrace our culture, demonstrate our values, understand the seat and what is required. We seek individuals who want this seat, desire to be a part of a bigger vision and have the capacity to be a successful member of our CMU team.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR RIGHT FIT
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- 1-3 years of administrative experience in a fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational and time-management skills. - Experience with event, project or scheduling management or other relevant experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Positive attitude, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality work.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply accounting models and mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, to interpret an extensive variety of legal and regulatory documents and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee typically performs the duties of the job in an open office setting. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud at times, with several disruptions throughout the day.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.
Direct Inquiries Contact: David Ludlam, dludlam@coloradomesa.edu
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:- Cover letter
- Resume
- Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.
- Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)
ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado's largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.
Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.
The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that's less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado's best kept secrets.
Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.
Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.
Colorado Mesa University
Attn: Human Resources Office
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970.248.1820