CUPA Operations Manager & Dean's Executive Assistant

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Portland State University

Position Details

Position Details

Proposed Start Date

08/03/2026

Classification Title

Administrative Support

Rank

N - No Rank

Working Title

CUPA Operations Manager & Dean's Executive Assistant

Department

310001 - UPA Dean's Office

Position Number

D91690

Representation

UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable

Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

1.0

Tenure Status

N - not applicable

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

The College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State ranks among the country's top professional public policy and urban planning colleges. A unique center for education, research and engagement, the College works closely with regional partners to create new understanding and actionable solutions for our region's current and future challenges, creating new ways for the communities we live in to thrive. The College offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, Politics and Global Affairs, Public Administration, and Urban Studies and Planning.

The College also houses 15 Centers and Institutes that serve as a bridge between the College and the community. They provide ways for faculty and student scholars to conduct and share applied research benefitting the communities we live in with an emphasis on public service. The work performed through each of the College's programs encourages students to find their purpose, their voice and to work toward making the world a better place, truly reflecting Portland State University's motto: Let Knowledge Serve the City.

Position Summary

The Operation Manager & Dean's Executive Assistant provides high-level confidential administrative support to the College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA), managing the Dean's Office operations special projects.

Essential functions as the Operations Manager:

• Ensure the smooth operations of the Dean's Office by developing, implementing and maintaining office policies and procedures;
• Organize and maintain the workings of the Office of the Dean, including but not limited to, procurement card custodian;
• Serve in the DAS role for the travel authorization/reimbursement process for Dean's office administration.
• Authorize airline bookings for Sr Administration which includes the Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Senior Fiscal Officer (SFO) while maintaining travel authorization and budgetary guidelines.

Essential functions as the Deans' Executive Assistant:

• Assist the Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Senior Fiscal Officer in formulating and implementing College policy and procedure;
• Manage the Dean's calendar and schedule meetings for the Dean's Office;
• Review and prioritize correspondences;
• Coordinate Dean's travel arrangements, authorizations, and reimbursements;
• Utilize excellent organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and exceptional judgment to facilitate collaboration and communication among diverse groups, and proactively solve problems and/or independently handle a variety of complicated and confidential issues.

This is an in-person role, with most of the work being performed in the CUPA Dean's Office Suite.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Three years of administrative support experience.
• Office management/coordination experience.
• Experience in managing correspondence and coordinating meetings using calendar software, such as Google Calendar.
• Sound management skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task to meet goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team providing efficient and reliable administrative support.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an enthusiasm for the mission of Portland State University.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment and work well with and assist a diverse clientele.
• Self-directed, proactive and demonstrated ability to initiate problem-solving.
• Experience with general office procedures related to financial tasks such as paying invoices and ordering supplies.
• A working knowledge of appropriate computer software including Google calendar and email, Google Suite products, and/or Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing support to the executive-level
• Experience supervising front-line staff and/or students
• A working knowledge of higher education in general and Portland State University in particular
• Experience in Banner and PeopleAdmin

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusiv…