Executive Assistant (Office of the President)
Executive Assistant (Office of the President)
Executive Assistant, Office of the President
Franklin Switzerland · Office of the President · Lugano, Switzerland
Reports to: President · Position type: Part-time (50%-70%; 20-28 hours per week), on-campus
About Franklin Switzerland
Franklin Switzerland, founded in 1969, is one of the first institutions to bring liberal arts education to Europe and to be recognized by both U.S. and Swiss accreditation agencies. A leader in international education, Franklin provides an experiential and multinational learning environment through small classes, strong student and faculty relationships, a residential campus, and hands-on Academic Travel experiences.
With roughly 300 students from more than 60 countries, set in the safe and striking landscape of Lugano, Franklin is distinctive: an intimate residential community, a uniquely dual U.S.-Swiss accreditation, and an Academic Travel program that turns the world into a classroom. Franklin promotes intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, strives for academic excellence, and fosters interdisciplinary opportunities for its students, faculty, and staff. Franklin acknowledges the accomplishments and global impact of our community through a culture of trust that respects diversity, equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity
Franklin Switzerland is seeking an organized, proactive, and highly discreet Executive Assistant to provide administrative, operational, and organizational support to the Office of the President. Serving as the administrative hub for executive operations, the position helps coordinate communications, scheduling, travel, meetings, Board administration, and institutional processes so that executive priorities can move forward efficiently and reliably.
Working closely with the President, the Board of Trustees, and colleagues across the institution, the Executive Assistant will also support selected institution-wide initiatives, including Advancement, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and special projects. Responsibilities will vary throughout the academic year in response to the institutional calendar and operational priorities.
This role is well suited to a service-oriented professional who enjoys working across multiple functions, exercises sound judgment and discretion, communicates confidently in both English and Italian, and thrives in a collaborative, international university environment.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Coordination & Office Administration
▪ Manage the President's calendar, appointments, and scheduling priorities.
▪ Coordinate meetings with internal and external stakeholders, preparing agendas, meeting materials, and follow-up communications in both English and Italian.
▪ Draft, edit, format, and distribute correspondence, reports, presentations, and other executive documents in both English and Italian.
▪ Manage incoming inquiries to the Office of the President, exercising sound judgment in prioritizing matters requiring the President's attention.
▪ Coordinate domestic and international travel, including itineraries, accommodations, visas where required, and related documentation.
▪ Prepare travel expenses and reimbursements.
▪ Track projects, requests, deadlines, and action items on behalf of the Office of the President, ensuring timely follow-up across institutional offices.
▪ Maintain confidential records and serve as the primary administrative contact for the Office of the President.
Board of Trustees Administration
▪ Serve as the principal administrative support for the Board of Trustees and its committees.
▪ Coordinate the annual calendar of Board and committee meetings in collaboration with the President, Secretary to the Board, Board Chair, and committee chairs.
▪ Schedule meetings and manage meeting logistics, invitations, attendance, and materials.
▪ Prepare, distribute, and archive Board agendas, minutes, supporting documentation, and official records.
▪ Maintain Board document repositories and ensure trustees have timely access to meeting materials.
▪ Coordinate trustee travel, accommodations, reimbursements, and related logistics.
▪ Serve as the primary administrative liaison for trustees regarding meeting schedules, travel, Board materials, and other administrative matters.
▪ Support the Secretary to the Board by managing the administrative and logistical aspects of Board operations, enabling the Secretary to focus on governance, policy, Board development, and strategic matters.
Advancement & Institutional Events
▪ Support presidential and Advancement events by coordinating invitations, registrations, venues, catering, travel arrangements, audiovisual requirements, and event materials.
▪ Prepare event communications and participant correspondence in both English and Italian.
▪ Assist with donor, alumni, trustee, and institutional events sponsored by the Office of the President or the Office of Advancement.
▪ Assist with the planning and delivery of the annual Commencement ceremony and surrounding events.
Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation Support
▪ Provide administrative support for institutional effectiveness, planning, and accreditation activities through document management, data coordination, evidence management, survey administration, and related administrative processes.
▪ Assist with the collection and organization of institutional data from academic and administrative units.
▪ Maintain archives of institutional reports, supporting documentation, and historical records.
▪ Assist in preparing recurring institutional reports and responding to institutional data requests.
▪ Coordinate institutional surveys and related administrative processes.
▪ Support accreditation and quality assurance through evidence management, document organization, and tracking.
▪ Maintain the MSCHE Self-Study evidence repository and coordinate evidence requests across Franklin offices.
▪ Assist in developing efficient administrative processes that support institutional reporting, assessment, and accreditation activities.
Office Operations
▪ Welcome visitors to the Office of the President and respond to inquiries in both English and Italian.
▪ Answer and direct telephone calls for the Office of the President and provide concurrent reception coverage as operational needs require.
▪ Maintain office records, filing systems, and administrative procedures.
▪ Support special projects and perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the Office of the President and the institution's mission.
Experience and Qualifications
The successful candidate will combine strong administrative skills with sound judgment, discretion, and a service-oriented approach. The following qualifications are expected:
▪ Education and professional preparation — A commercial apprenticeship (EFZ), higher vocational qualification, bachelor's degree, or equivalent professional preparation.
▪ Relevant experience — At least three years of progressively responsible administrative or executive support experience, preferably supporting senior leadership.
▪ Organization and coordination — Excellent organizational, planning, and project and process coordination skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
▪ Communication — Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both English and Italian.
▪ Judgment and confidentiality — Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
▪ Relationship management — Strong interpersonal skills and a professional, service-oriented approach to colleagues, trustees, visitors, and external stakeholders.
▪ Technology — Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and standard office technologies.
▪ Initiative and adaptability — Ability to work independently, take initiative, solve problems, and adapt to changing priorities.
Preferred Experience
▪ Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or international organizations.
▪ Experience supporting executive leadership and/or governing boards.
▪ Experience coordinating institutional or donor events.
▪ Familiarity with CRM, survey, or institutional information systems (e.g., Slate, Qualtrics, or similar platforms), together with skill in Excel and other reporting tools.
▪ Experience supporting accreditation, assessment, or institutional effectiveness initiatives.
Competencies and personal qualities
▪ Organization and planning
▪ Professional judgment and discretion
▪ Clear, effective communication
▪ Relationship management
▪ Project and process coordination
▪ Service orientation
▪ Adaptability and flexibility
▪ Attention to detail
▪ Problem solving
▪ Digital literacy
How to Apply
For consideration by the search committee, candidates are asked to submit the following documents in PDF format at :
▪ A current CV detailing relevant experience;
▪ A letter of interest that addresses the key areas of this job description;
▪ Contact information for three references, two of which must be former direct supervisors;
Please note that, due to Swiss visa and work-permit regulations, applications from Swiss or EU nationals will be given priority in the evaluation process.
Dean of Academic Affairs
About Franklin Switzerland
Founded in 1969, Franklin Switzerland is among the first institutions to bring the U.S. liberal arts model to Europe. Located in Sorengo, overlooking Lugano and its lake in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, Franklin combines a residential learning community, small classes, close faculty–student engagement, interdisciplinary study, and a global outlook. Franklin is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and operates as an accredited university institute within the Swiss higher education system.
A defining feature of Franklin’s curriculum is Academic Travel: faculty-designed and faculty-led study trips that connect classroom learning with international, place-based experiences. Integrated into course objectives and assessment, Academic Travel engages students directly with the historical, cultural, political, environmental, and social contexts they study. Franklin offers undergraduate and graduate programs and promotes a strong culture of teaching, scholarship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
As a university institute in Switzerland, Franklin is committed to research standards, external grant activity, and academic quality assurance. Its graduate offerings include the Master of Arts in Sustainability and Transformation and the Swiss-accredited PhD in Political Science. Franklin engages with quality frameworks administered by MSCHE, the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC), and the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ).
The Opportunity
Franklin Switzerland invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of Academic Affairs (Chief Academic Officer), with an anticipated start in July 2027 for the 2027–28 academic year. Reporting to the President and working closely with the President’s Cabinet, the Dean leads the academic programs, operations, and support functions of the institution and contributes to its strategic direction.
Franklin seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking academic leader who can advance its U.S. residential liberal arts model while supporting the research, quality, and institutional expectations of Swiss and European higher education. The Dean works closely with faculty governance bodies, Associate Deans, academic program leadership, and support units to promote teaching excellence, academic innovation, faculty scholarship, and student success. The role combines strategic leadership with substantial day-to-day academic administrative responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership and Curriculum Development
• Lead the development, periodic review, and enhancement of undergraduate and graduate academic programs, ensuring academic quality and alignment with Franklin’s mission.
• Strengthen the residential liberal arts curriculum, its interdisciplinary character, and its emphasis on active, student-centered, and experiential education.
• Support the continued development and full academic integration of Franklin’s signature Academic Travel program, including its connections to course learning outcomes.
• Guide proposals for new academic programs and curricular initiatives in response to institutional priorities and emerging educational needs.
Faculty Development and Pedagogy
• Promote teaching excellence through faculty development in active liberal arts learning, effective curriculum design, and student-centered pedagogy.
• Encourage innovative teaching approaches suited to a diverse, international, residential learning community.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty exchange, and a collegial and intellectually engaged academic culture.
Faculty Leadership and Shared Governance
• Collaborate with faculty governance bodies and committees on academic policies and shared-governance processes.
• Oversee faculty evaluation, promotion, and professional development processes in partnership with the appropriate faculty committees.
• Provide academic leadership and support for faculty work, while encouraging productive relationships across academic divisions and programs.
Student Success and Academic Support
• Partner with the Associate Dean for Student Success and colleagues across the institution to strengthen advising, learning support, and academic policies that promote student success.
• Ensure effective academic support systems, including academic advising, learning assistance, and appropriate academic accommodations, consistent with a U.S.-style residential liberal arts environment.
• Work with academic support units and student services to address student academic concerns and maintain a responsive, supportive learning environment.
Research and Scholarly Engagement
• Support a vibrant culture of faculty research and scholarship across disciplines, consistent with the expectations of a Swiss university institute and the broader international academic community.
• Encourage applications for competitive research funding, major external grants, and research partnerships.
• Provide academic leadership for research-related programs, including Franklin’s Swiss-accredited PhD in Political Science.
• Promote interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges, including sustainability and social impact.
Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation
• Lead academic assessment, institutional effectiveness, and evidence-informed continuous improvement in partnership with the Associate Dean for Institutional Effectiveness.
• Ensure that academic programs and processes meet applicable U.S. and Swiss accreditation and quality-assurance requirements, including MSCHE, SAC, and AAQ frameworks.
• Play a central role in preparing institutional self-studies, accreditation reports, academic documentation, and other academic reporting.
Academic Operations and Resource Stewardship
• Work with the Associate Deans to oversee academic operations, including the Registrar’s Office, course scheduling, academic calendar planning, catalog and policy administration, and academic records.
• Provide leadership for academic support functions, including the Library, Writing and Learning Center, digital pedagogy initiatives, and institutional research.
• Coordinate the Academic Affairs budget and collaborate with the President’s Cabinet on institutional planning and responsible allocation of academic resources.
• Support coordination among faculty committees, academic programs, administrative units, and student services in day-to-day academic matters.
Continuing Education
• Support the development and management of continuing education initiatives that make Franklin’s educational mission accessible to additional audiences.
• Provide leadership for the continuation and orderly transition of existing executive education activities through their current program cycle.
Academic Affairs Portfolio
The Dean’s current portfolio includes the Associate Dean for Student Success, Associate Dean for Institutional Effectiveness, Registrar, Library Director, Academic Affairs Coordinator, Director of the Green Office, Coordinator of Digital Pedagogy Initiatives and the Writing and Learning Center, and academic Program Directors. Reporting relationships and responsibilities may be adjusted in consultation with the President to respond to institutional priorities and operational needs.
Experience and Qualifications
• A terminal degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate discipline; academic accomplishments sufficient for appointment at the rank of full professor are preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership within higher education, including collaborative decision-making and a commitment to shared governance.
• Deep familiarity with the U.S. residential liberal arts model, its pedagogical foundations, faculty roles, and student support expectations; experience as a faculty member or academic leader within a residential liberal arts institution is highly desirable.
• Experience with institutional accreditation, academic assessment, or higher education quality-assurance frameworks.
• Familiarity with, or a willingness to develop a strong understanding of, Swiss and European higher education, including expectations for research productivity, research funding, and institutional quality assurance.
• An ability to work constructively across disciplines and academic cultures and to balance academic vision with operational responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Italian, or willingness to learn the language, is an asset; knowledge of another Swiss national language is advantageous.
How to Apply
Please submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest addressing the responsibilities and qualifications described above, and contact information for three professional references. Applications and nominations are welcome.
Send application materials to
Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 2027.
Equal Opportunity and Work Authorization
Franklin Switzerland is committed to fostering an open, fair, diverse, and inclusive academic community. The institution welcomes applicants from different backgrounds and perspectives and considers qualified candidates without unlawful discrimination. Due to Swiss employment and work-permit requirements, applications from Swiss and EU nationals will receive priority in the evaluation process; applications from all qualified candidates are welcome.