Assistant to Director
Last updated: May 19, 2025
Typical Responsibilities
Reports directly to a position in the Director payroll title series that is grade 11 or higher.* With delegated authority from the Director, performs professional level administration and management of programmatic or administrative functions. Makes decisions or recommendations regarding assigned administrative or programmatic functions. Examples of responsibilities: – Budget management and analysis, – Faculty appointments and promotions, – Special projects management and coordination, – Research administration, – Policy development and analysis, and – Department administrative services which may include a small percentage of time spent performing duties such as developing meeting agendas and taking meeting minutes, revising the Executive Head’s schedule and calendar, planning organizational events and meetings.* Director payroll titles below grade 11 are not under the “Executive Head” exemption and cannot have subordinates under the “Principal Assistant to Executive Head” exemption.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervision of staff is not required, but is commonly found at higher grades in the series. Supervisors have the authority to hire staff, evaluate job performance, and take corrective action if performance is not acceptable.
Overtime Eligibility
FLSA overtime status is based on the position’s duties and responsibilities, and whether or not the position’s gross salary is less than the federal FLSA salary basis test or the Washington state salary basis test, whichever is higher. Please visit the Compensation website for current information on FLSA overtime eligibility.
Professional Staff Exemption
Principal Assistants to Executive Heads: Individuals serving as principal assistants to executive heads of a major administrative or academic division and who have major administrative or program responsibility within the division/department and report directly to the executive head. The employee regularly exercises independent judgment and discretion in work directly related to management policies or department business operations and has delegated authority to make commitments that affect department operations.
Sample Working Titles
Assistant to the Director
Alternative Payroll Titles
Other payroll titles that may be appropriate under this exemption include Administrator, Manager or Assistant to Director/Chair/Dean. If the position does not report to a Director grade 11 or higher, consider other payroll titles under the professional staff exemptions. If the primary focus of this position is clerical in nature, review classified payroll titles such as Administrative Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, Human Resources Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Fiscal Specialist, etc.
Limitations
Position must report to a Director grade 11 or higher and cannot report to other positions under the “Principal Assistant to Executive Head” exemption. Meeting an FLSA overtime exemption is a critical component of new positions assigned this payroll title.