Finally, a realistic Admin job description!

[misslynn]

From NBA.com:

Administrative Assistant - Minnesota Timberwolves (Minneapolis, MN)

JOB DESCRIPTION
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES & LYNX

POSITION Administrative Assistant
DEPARTMENT Marketing & Communications
SUPERVISOR Sr. Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer
FLSA STATUS Exempt or Non-exempt
DATE LAST UPDATED 4/02/2008

SUMMARY
The Minnesota Timberwolves need you. The NBA is the world’s most dynamic sports league with its games and superstars spanning the globe. The Timberwolves are unlike any other place you will ever work. Working in the NBA, in a word, thrilling. As the administrative assistant to the Marketing and Communications group and its Senior Vice President, you'll be smack dab in the middle of everything Timberwolves… as it happens. Advertising. Public relations. Website. Television & Radio Broadcasts. Event Marketing. Promotions. Community Relations. This is not a job –it’s a lifestyle.

You will become the right hand (and left) of leaders so busy rewriting sports marketing rules that they don’t remember their own birthday. You will join a team of dedicated professionals hell-bent on changing the Timberwolves image in this marketplace. You will support the department and executive who is leading this mission, so you will embody everything that is extraordinary about our company and our brand. Psychic? You will need to be. You will need to know what is needed before anyone else. Strategic? You will be asked questions like, “What’s the ROI for the Hungry Like the Wolf promotional campaign?” Your job? Find the answer. Attention to Detail? When we mess up, it becomes global news. Diplomatic and Tactful? Know when to interrupt our fearless executives in a meeting and when NOT to. Confident? Can you be everywhere and not be noticed? You will interface with advertisers, partners, members of the media, coaches, players, vendors, executives, employees, spouses, and small children - frequently all at the same time. Not looking for someone who wants to use this position as a stepping-stone. We want someone who wants to grow this administrative position into an indispensable part of the marketing and communications group. This is the ultimate assistant position. The timid need not apply.

[laurafmcdermott]

Love it!  Almost makes me want to move to Minnesota.  Thanks for posting this!

[queenbean]

Sounds amazing.  I just happen to be popping over to Minneapolis from the UK in a couple of weeks ... might look them up!

QB

[geminigirl]

That sounds fantastic!  And yeah, very realistic & true to life!

How many of us here are reading it and thinking, Yep, tick that box, tick this box, been there etc etc.

The only bit that scares me is "small children"  -- I have an "allergy" to children!!

[JessW]

Gemini

I too would have a similar problem with the "small children", especially with the size difference from here in the UK - I just couldn't eat a whole one!

[diamondlady]

That last line rules me out! LOL!  Seriously really good writing this.  I wonder who did the writing, another Admin that was painfully honest?  Love it!

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[gee4]

I have to say although it's rather "American" speak, there is no way an admin would get a job like that where I live.  That position is more of a PR/Marketing role especially if interface is required with the media.  The marketing department in my company look after all of the tasks mentioned in this job spec.

Sounds appealing but in my book that job is not just 9-5, in fact The Minnesota Timberwolves would probably be your life!

[msmarieh]

But actually, you'll notice, this is the Admin FOR the marketing department - so the admin would have to talk to the media when the media calls to reach the bigwigs for quotes, for example (or to say no comment if no one wants to talk to them).

I wonder what the pay is for this "lifestyle" position? Sounds like a lot of overtime expected. I wonder if they pay accordingly.  

Marie

[Katie G]

Marie, that was my first thought, too.  There'd have to be a darn handsome compensaton package for that much of my life to be taken over....

[gee4]

Marie,

I meant the role is simply not an admin job it should be entitled Marketing Executive or something similar.

[misslynn]

Gee, I think the description is more reflective of the trend for Admins moving away from just being receptionists towards the expectation for us to be more like a business professional.  I didn't see anything listed in there that I would consider out of line for an admin, including fielding media calls (which I have done), computing ROI on particular events (which I have done) and reminding the boss of his birthday.  Not every admin job is 9-5, I know mine certainly isn't, and as long as they are clear about that up front then I don't see it being a problem.

[gee4]

Lynn,

As I said I would not even get an interview for a job like that as I have no marketing or PR experience.  We have a totally separate department that looks after that in my company.  Recruitment agencies here would not even consider calling me about these kind of jobs as I would not meet the interview criteria.  That role is not a normal PA/admin kind of role and personally I would not feel comfortable about addressing the media or making press statements  - all of that comes with experience in similar positions and you have to be politically correct avoiding anything libel.

Obviously companies and recruitment agencies where you live, are more open to admins performing any kind of role, than they are where I live.

[msmarieh]

I'm inclined to agree with misslynn. I doubt if they are expecting statements to the press. However, you interface with the press when you are calling them to advise them of scheduled press conferences, when they call you trying to get a quote (and you have to find the boss for them).

I think in the marketing department it would be common for the admin to have these types of responsibilities. I know I have when I have worked there in the past.

I will say, it does look like a fun job, though a lot of work! Too bad I don't like basketball better.

Marie