Executive Assistant

The University of Eastern Finland is seeking two executive assistants for varied leadership support duties. As an executive assistant, you will be a trusted partner to university leadership and a key collaborator, enabling smooth decision-making, effective use of time and high-quality services. Kuopio In Kuopio, you will support the Vice Rector responsible for research and the leadership of the Research and Innovation Services unit. The position is permanent and begins on 11 January 2027 or as agreed. Joensuu In Joensuu, you will support the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies and department leadership. This is a fixed-term substitute position, beginning on 11 January 2027 or as agreed and lasting for the duration of the substitution until 22 February 2028. In your work, you will actively connect with leadership, experts, and the university’s internal and external stakeholders. Your days may include meeting and visitor arrangements, coordinating the preparation of decision-making, organising events, advancing administrative processes and developing leadership support services. You will work at the heart of university leadership and decision-making and contribute to supporting research, faculty leadership and academic decision-making. You will work as part of the Leadership Support Services team in the General Administration and Legal Services unit. Your colleagues will include executive assistants and event specialists. We offer a skilled, collaborative working community and the opportunity to develop your expertise in varied and meaningful work. Your duties You will ensure the smooth day-to-day work of leadership and coordinate administrative matters. Your key duties include: - Proactively planning leadership calendars and time use, and coordinating meeting arrangements - Coordinating academic events and stakeholder visits - Preparing agendas and minutes and supporting decision-making - Preparing administrative documents and decisions, and coordinating contract processes - Coordinating domestic and international travel arrangements - Working with university experts, leadership and external stakeholders - Developing the working practices, processes and services of leadership support services In addition to these duties, your role may be complemented with development and project assignments based on your skills and experience. What we expect from you To succeed, you have: - Experience in executive assistant work for senior management or comparable duties - A suitable higher-education degree - The ability to manage several matters at once and prioritise tasks as situations change - A systematic, proactive and careful approach to work - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build trusted working relationships - Good IT skills, for example in Microsoft 365 and case-management systems - Good spoken and written Finnish and English We also value an interest in improving working practices, the ability to see the bigger picture and anticipate future needs, and an interest in using AI and other digital tools to support your work. What we offer - Varied and responsible work where no two days are alike - Close collaboration with leadership and broad expert networks - The opportunity to influence the development of services, working practices and processes - Support from a skilled and encouraging Leadership Support Services team - The opportunity to combine on-site and remote work in line with the university’s hybrid model and the needs of the duties - University of Eastern Finland staff benefits, including comprehensive occupational healthcare, a broad range of staff training, affordable campus restaurant meals and Sykettä sports services Employment A six-month probationary period applies. Pay follows the university salary system for other expert and support staff. Salary consists of a task-specific component and a personal-performance component. The task-specific component is at requirement level 7. The personal-performance component is 6–50% of the task-specific component. Depending on the requirement level and personal component, starting pay is approximately €2,950–€3,200 per month. How to apply Submit your application using the electronic application form by 11 November 2026. We review applications actively and may begin interviews during the application period. Please attach your CV and any other documents you wish to use to demonstrate your skills and suitability for the position. You may also include a cover letter. Further information For further information about the position, contact Henriikka Hätinen, Head of Leadership Services, at henriikka.hatinen@uef.fi. The best times to reach her are Monday 26 October from 12:00 to 13:00 and Tuesday 27 October from 14:00 to 15:00. For technical questions about submitting an application, contact HR Specialist Maria Nuutinen at maria.nuutinen@uef.fi. She is unavailable on 26–27 October.