Manager of Executive Affairs & Board Secretary

Position Summary

The Lycée Français de New York, a world-leading independent bilingual French K-12 educational institution, recognizes student safety and well-being as its first responsibilities. Indeed, at the Lycée, the student is at the center of everything we do. Consistent with its mission to embrace diversity, our school strives to build an inclusive, culturally sensitive, and equitable community of teaching and learning where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging in pursuit of educational excellence.

The Manager of Executive Affairs & Board Secretary ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Office of the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. This role oversees high-stakes communications, complex scheduling, governance processes, and executive workflows while leading the Executive Office’s administrative team. Confidentiality and discretion are paramount: the position handles privileged information involving students, employees, trustees, and external partners, demanding sound judgment and the highest level of professionalism.

The ideal start date for this position is January 5, 2026. From January through June 2026, the incoming Manager will complete a structured onboarding process under the mentorship of the current Manager, assuming full, independent responsibility for the portfolio effective July 1, 2026.

At the Lycée, all employees are committed to advancing the School’s Mission, upholding its Diversity Statement, and supporting the vision of the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. They are expected to encourage, model respect, and promote positive interactions with each student and colleague.

This position may require additional work hours for school events and other school-sponsored activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

A. Executive Support to the Head of School

• Orchestrate complex scheduling, prioritization, and daily briefings; anticipate needs and prepare materials.

• Draft, edit, and proof high‑visibility communications, memos, and presentations (EN/FR).

• Coordinate travel, guest protocols, and confidential correspondence.

B. Board Governance & Committee Support (Secretary of the Board)

• Maintain the annual governance calendar; prepare agendas, board books, minutes, and resolutions.

• Ensure timely distribution of materials, quorum tracking, and compliance with bylaws/policies.

• Support Board/Committee Chairs; coordinate trustee onboarding, evaluations, and records management.

• Steward the secure document repository; enforce version control and archival standards.

C. Office Operations & Administration

• Lead the Executive Office administrative team (Receptionist): goal‑setting, supervision, evaluations, and professional development.

• Standardize and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and service levels for scheduling, intake, routing, and follow‑up. These SOPs also serve as a reference for all administrative positions in the school to ensure consistency and alignment across administrative support functions.

• Manage sensitive data in alignment with privacy expectations and institutional policy.

D. Communications & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as liaison among the Head of School, Executive Team, Trustees, and the broader community.

• Uphold tone, clarity, and bilingual consistency across executive communications.

E. Events & Convenings

• Plan and execute executive meetings, retreats, and governance sessions (in‑person/virtual); manage logistics, hospitality, and technology.

• Coordinate high‑profile visits and special projects in partnership with Advancement, Communications/Marketing, and Divisional leaders.

F. Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Monitor workflow bottlenecks and implement process improvements.

• Identify governance/operational risks; propose mitigations and ensure documentation.

Phased Transition (Jan–Jun 2026)

Phase 1 — Learning & Onboarding (Jan–Mar 2026)

• Shadow current Manager to learn daily operations, executive communications, governance procedures, and workflows.

• Participate in SOP documentation and relationship‑building with trustees, administrators, and partners.

Phase 2 — Shared Responsibility (Apr–Jun 2026)

• Progressively assume scheduling, communications, and board‑prep responsibilities.

• Attend Board/Committee meetings; begin supervising the Executive Office administrative team with guidance.

Phase 3 — Independent Management (From Jul 1, 2026)

• Fully own Head of School and Board support; lead team, steward governance, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Skills

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or equivalent experience preferred.

• 5+ years of progressively responsible executive office support; education/non‑profit experience a plus.

• Demonstrated mastery of complex scheduling, workflows, and confidential communications.

• Excellent writing/editing in English and French; impeccable judgment, tact, and discretion.

• High proficiency with Google Workspace and document management systems.

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment; proactive, detail‑driven, service‑oriented.

• Commitment to LFNY’s bilingual, multicultural mission and values.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Anticipation & Prioritization

• Bilingual Communication Excellence (EN/FR)

• Governance Literacy & Compliance Orientation

• Stakeholder Management & Diplomacy

• Process Design & Continuous Improvement

• Confidentiality, Integrity, and Discretion

Annual Salary Range: $90,000-$115,000

Please submit a cover letter and resume (PDF preferred) with your application using this link.