Assistant to the Chair

DATE AVAILABLE: November 2023
JOB TITLE: Assistant to the Chair
DEPARTMENT: MFA Photography, Video & Related Media
REPORTS TO: Department Chair and Technology Manager
COMPENSATION: $60,000 annually

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Assistant to the Chair's responsibilities include managing social media platforms and maintaining and creating interactive content for the department's website with the goal of proactive outreach and marketing the department. This is under the administrative support to the Chair and the department at large. Also important is to oversee a database of student, alumni and professional art community, coordinating various departmental functions as well act as a gatekeeper for prospective students and the public and oversee the admissions process.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Department Website

• Create content for the department website and newsletter, including:
  • Department events listings; keep events up-to-date
  • Update media as needed (including images on SVA's website department page)
  • Update student and faculty profiles
  • Continually edit old content for updates and style consistency, grammar, etc.
  • Maintain website compliance standards outlined by SVA administration

Social Media and SVA Communication's Office

• Promote all department events, special projects, alumni/faculty shows, etc., including:
  • Collecting and/or creating imagery and text for posts
  • Contact alumni, faculty, and current students regarding upcoming events
  • Schedule and submit paperwork for all department ads (print and web-based)
  • Work with SVA's Visual Arts Press to request/approve new ad designs when applicable
  • Research new and effective advertising and marketing strategies.

Recruitment

• Maintain recruitment contact mailing list using Filemaker and generate recruitment packages
• Create targeted recruitment letters with the Chair for all domestic and foreign recruitment contacts
• Create targeted recruitment emails informing faculty and school contacts of any staff plans to be in their area
• Compile prospective student data, and email each prospective student regarding staff plans to be in their area (e.g. graduate school fairs, photo fairs, etc.)
  

Prospective Student Info sessions

• With the Office of Graduate Admissions, schedule and coordinate all Prospective Student Open Houses.
• This includes arranging faculty presence, corresponding with all attendees, and keeping track of attendees. As well as follow up with attendees regarding class visits, portfolio reviews, give facility tours, and answer student questions about the program.
• Schedule all staff graduate school fair visits and coordinate all materials needed for events.

Admissions Review Process

• Review all prospective student applicant data collected by the Office of Graduate Admissions
• Run admissions review meeting with Technology Manager; includes scheduling faculty committee, informing the committee of candidate background, statement of purpose, transcripts, and letters of recommendation
• Annotate applications as accepted, waitlisted, or rejected
• Review accepted files as necessary for student interviews
• Submit committee decisions to the Office of Graduate Admissions
• Follow up with accepted applicants.

Department Events

• Work with staff on all events including but not limited to thesis exhibition and screening receptions, Fall and Spring student salon, and public lectures
• Work with staff to write and/or copyedit lecturer bio for promotional materials and website and social media postings.
• Arrange for student assistant documentation of all lectures
• Work with Student Advisor to prepare and run new student orientation which includes overseeing photographing student portraits,
• Filemaker database entries, locker assignments, hosting breakfast and lunch.
• Work with Student Advisor and Technology Manager to organize students’ thesis orals reviews
  
  

General administrative tasks

• Schedule all Chair meetings and confirm meetings with attendees
• Create and send agenda to Office of the President for Chair meetings with President
• Respond to all general MFA Photo emails
• Answer phones for the general department line and Chair
• Take dictation for all Chair emails, memos, letters (including copyediting)
• Approve web requests and requisitions on behalf of Chair
• Email department event reminders, general student info, etc.
• Process security guest access forms for all student and faculty requests
• With Chair, create, edit and submit reference letters for alumni and faculty
• Facilitate guest lecturer payments and recording permission forms
• Complete the Chair's financial reconciliations
• Research and other special project tasks for Chair
• Manage Filemaker database including student records and art/photo community contacts
• Assign and supervise student assistants to work on department special projects.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in managing a business or organization's social media platforms and website
• Two (2) years of administrative/office support
• Exceptional phone manners and typing skills
• Advanced writing, research, and communication skills
• Proficiency with Macintosh computers, Microsoft Word, and Filemaker Pro
• Interest in the Arts or higher education preferred
• Bachelor’s degree.

WORKING AT SVA:

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for nearly seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprised of more than 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and 35,000 alumni in 100 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world.

The School of Visual Arts is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of the College. SVA enjoys a community that represents a significant number of historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.