About Us

Portland State University (PSU) Foundation fuels the mission and priorities of Oregon’s most diverse, innovative, and affordable research university by raising and stewarding philanthropic gifts that transform lives and communities.

At PSU, more than half of incoming first-year students identify as BIPOC, nearly a quarter are parents, and half are the first in their families to attend college. When PSU graduates thrive, families transform, communities prosper, and innovation expands. The PSU Foundation plays a vital role in advancing this impact by inspiring donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and stewarding resources with integrity and purpose.

Recognized as one of Oregon’s best non-profits to work for five years in a row, PSU Foundation is a community of purpose-driven professionals who lead with heart, act with trust, and keep our mission forward in everything we do. Guided by creativity and collaboration, we foster a strong sense of belonging—empowering every team member to bring bold ideas and their authentic selves to work.

About The Role

In this role, you will work alongside a visionary leader whose work is driven by emerging ideas, strategic opportunities, community partnerships, and organizational growth. Success requires the ability to embrace change, stay organized amid complexity, navigate competing priorities, and help move ideas from concept to execution.

You will thrive in this position if you...

• Find energy in new ideas and enjoy helping turn vision into action.
• Adapt quickly when priorities shift and view change as an opportunity.
• Take initiative, anticipate needs, and proactively solve problems.
• Enjoy balancing multiple priorities while keeping both details and broader organizational goals in focus.
• Build strong relationships and communicate with warmth, professionalism, and confidence.
• Are curious, resourceful, and excited to learn, grow, and embrace new ways of working.

The Senior Executive Assistant serves as a strategic partner to the Foundation President, providing proactive executive support that enables institutional leadership, donor engagement, and organizational alignment. This role manages the President's priorities, schedule, and information flow to ensure time, attention, and energy are focused on the Foundation's most critical relationships, decisions, and outcomes.

Operating with significant autonomy and discretion, the Senior Executive Assistant acts as an extension of the President, exercising sound judgment, anticipating needs, and coordinating complex activities across internal and external stakeholders. Success in this role requires exceptional organizational awareness, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism and confidence.

This position works closely with the Executive Leadership Team, PSU leadership, donors, community partners, and other key stakeholders while collaborating with the Administration team to advance the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities.

Position Overview

Executive Strategy & Engagement

• Provide strategic oversight and direction of the President’s schedule, priorities, travel, and engagements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, fundraising strategy, and institutional relationships.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making authority to prioritize requests, resolve conflicts, and protect the President’s time, balancing internal leadership responsibilities with external engagement.
• Anticipate and proactively navigate emerging issues, risks, or opportunities and prepare the President with relevant context, options, and recommendations.
• Prepare and equip the President for high‑level engagements by overseeing agendas, briefing materials, remarks, daily packets, and meeting documentation to maximize impact and effectiveness.
• Direct and oversee the President’s day-to-day operations including donor meetings, VIP visits, institutional events, and executive travel, ensuring seamless execution and follow up.
• Manage interactions with high‑level visitors, ensuring a professional, thoughtful, and values‑aligned experience.

Executive Operations & Systems

• Bring structure, clarity, and momentum to the President's priorities by documenting emerging ideas, organizing next steps, tracking commitments and actions.
• Design, implement and continuously optimize systems to manage the President’s portfolio of o