Unique opportunity for an individual with educational or administrative experience in role and interested in the Luxury Goods Sector

*Full Time Position to be filled as soon as possible* 

The Luxury Education Foundation (LEF) seeks an Assistant Program Coordinator to organize and execute educational and other programs to LEF’s highest standards. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, business-minded, quick, efficient, organized, and is comfortable working independently in a small team with one Program Director. The role will ensure the smooth running of the main educational programs on a daily basis, and work closely with the Program Director in ensuring that all programs and events run smoothly.

This position reports directly to the Program Director and the President, as well the Board’s Chair and the Board of Directors (see list below). It is ideal for a candidate looking for a stable position within a small organization who has a strong interest in educational programs and the luxury industry, and willing to commit at least 3 to 5 years to the position. Depending on candidate’s profile, the position offers opportunities for growth.

About LEF

Established in December 2004, the Luxury Education Foundation is a public not-for-profit organization that focuses on educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students in Design and Business who wish to enter the luxury field. The CEOs of world renowned luxury brands actively participate in LEF Advisory Board including the US CEOs of Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Graff, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana and Tiffany’s.

LEF programs provide students with various platforms to engage with senior executives in leading luxury firms to understand and appreciate the unique properties of this industry. Currently, LEF runs 14 programs: the interdisciplinary course “Design and Marketing of Luxury Products” with students and faculty from Columbia Business School and Parsons the New School for Design; awards scholarships for Design and Business students; the Annual Luxury Round Table; the Retailing Program; the CEO Breakfast Series; the Corporate Classroom; The Block Week; The MAC Luncheon; The Conversations Series and the Luxury Craftsmanship workshop, the Alumni Programs and supports student-run organizations at Columbia Business School. Please visit us at www.luxuryeducationfoundation.org for more details about our programs and participating companies.

Board of Directors:

Henri Barguirdjian; President & CEO, Graff USA

Robert Chavez; President & CEO, Hermès of Paris, Inc.

Barbara Cirkva; Former President of Fashion, CHANEL

François Kress: President & CEO, Carolina Herrera

Ketty Maisonrouge; President, KM& Co., Inc., Adjunct Professor, Marketing Department, Columbia Business School

Safwan Masri; Executive Vice President for Global Centers and Global Development, Columbia University

Marla Sabo; Partner, Fireman Capital

Thomas Serrano, President & CEO, Havas Luxe

Maz Zouhairi, President & CEO, LALIQUE North America

 

Assistant Program Coordinator

 

The position reports directly to the Program Director and the President, as well as the Board’s Chair, and Board of Directors. Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following

 

Masterclass and Block Week Programs Management

• Coordinate, oversee, execute and in general take responsibility for all communication with and management of LEF companies relating to the Masterclasses and Block Weeks, including but not limited to:
  • Secure companies’ participation in the classes
  • Develop projects’ briefs
  • Secure guest speakers
  • Ensure that all logistics and interactions with companies and their high-level company executives, project leaders and staff run smoothly, including but not limited to securing dates / times for meetings, initial companies’ presentations and final presentations, coordinating companies/students meetings
• Coordinate, oversee, execute and in general take responsibility for all communication with and management of Academic Institutions relating to the Masterclasses and Block Weeks, including but not limited to:
  • Work closely with faculty and staff from Columbia Business School, Parsons, and other educational partners, to develop academic calendars, secure appropriate classrooms and breakout rooms, adhering to all deadlines for syllabus/course description and any other materials
  • Ensure that all relevant students’ clubs (such as Retail Luxury Goods Club at Columbia Business School, and Luxury Society at Parsons) are contacted to ensure maximum students’ participation
  • Assist in identifying, securing and briefing potential CBS TAs among Block Week students
  • Assist TAs in their tasks overseeing project(s), including but not limited to being the main point between students and companies, ensuring that all students’ deadlines are met, reviewing CBS students’ applications, assemble teams
• Write drafts and documents of a variety of materials relating to these classes, including but not limited to emails to companies, school administration and staff, students, TAs, guest speakers, letters, memoranda, thank you and donation acknowledgments, and board meeting documentation
• Assist president in teaching duties relating to these classes, including but not limited to:
  • update presentations, reading and other teaching materials
  • ensure all schedules are up to date
  • in coordination with TAs, prepare all printed materials, including sign-in sheet
  • sending evites for all classes, students/faculty meetings, companies’ meetings
• Support MBA and design student participants involved in educational programs

 

Program and Office Management

• Report to and provide direct support to LEF President, Program Director
• Assist Program Director in all programs to the highest standards of excellence within the necessary delivery dates and budget requirements, and office management including but not limited to:
  • all communication with and between LEF contacts internally and externally including high-level company executives,
  • cultivating external relationships and company prospect relating to fundraising and development
  • all promotion of LEF programs and awareness, PR and marketing efforts including social media planning
  • support for the existing LEF programs to the highest standards of excellence within the necessary delivery dates and budget requirements
  • Manage calendar and contacts database
  • Update and maintain foundation website
  • all administrative duties: meeting coordination, basic accounting, filing, office space maintenance, website assistance, etc.
  • all documents on behalf of LEF including but not limited to letters, memoranda, donation acknowledgments, and board meeting documentation
  • Coordinate logistics for off-site and on-site meetings
  • all logistics pertaining to board of director and advisory board meetings, coordinate board meeting preparation and follow-up, Board packets, meeting arrangements, and minutes
  • All other administrative duties such as filing, office space maintenance, etc.
  • Other duties as assigned
• Report to and provide direct support to LEF President, as well as any necessary support to LEF Board of Directors and LEF Advisory Board

 

Special Events, Media and Social Media Coordination

• Work closely with Program Director and President in coordinating all details for LEF events, including but not limited to:
  • Select venue
  • Work with vendors
  • Develop and disseminating invitations
  • Ensure all logistical event details
  • Event follow up
• Work closely with Program Director and PR agency in getting maximum media coverage
• Work closely with Program Director, Alumni Council and President in implementing social media strategy while adhering to LEF requirements and highest standards of excellence

 

Qualifications:

• Excellent computer skills: strong knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word (majority of work requires email communication and computer applications)
• Excellent written and oral communication/presentation skills
• Experience in planning and managing events, including volunteers
• Experience in VIP client relationships
• Comfortable in a small working environment while dealing with large corporations
• Understanding website design and maintenance (Joomla preferred)
• Very comfortable multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment
• Marketing and Research skills

 

Compensation commensurate to experience and responsibilities

Position will be trained by Program Director.  For more details please contact Kallie Lichty at kallie@luxuryeducationfoundation.org