Executive Assistant

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must submit a cover letter to be considered for this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Job Summary:

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) is committed to securing the financial resources, time, and loyalty of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to promote the school’s work of educating new generations of global health leaders and producing powerful ideas that can transform the lives of people everywhere.

Reporting to the Vice Dean, the executive assistant (EA) will serve as the primary administrative point of contact and provide high-level administrative support to the vice dean. The successful candidate will be a collaborative, self-directed individual who demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach, anticipating and resolving problems with the utmost discretion and professionalism to ensure the vice dean's day-to-day affairs are conducted smoothly. The EA will build relationships and effectively and diplomatically communicate with a variety of constituents across the Harvard community. They will balance priorities and projects in an organized manner and demonstrate discretion when working with confidential or sensitive information.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities are including, but not limited to:

• Schedule management: Proactively manage the vice dean’s calendar of meetings and events, collect information and materials, monitor action items to completion, and maintain working knowledge of priorities and happenings across the school. Create agendas for vice dean-initiated meetings and ensure that agendas for other meetings are shared promptly. Partner with Vice Dean to ensure follow-up items are completed promptly.
• Portfolio/Data management: Synthesize information from meetings and other communications to draft and upload contact reports to donor database, maintain other portfolio data as needed, and generate reports to support portfolio reviews and management. Ensure that all proposal data is entered accurately and timely.
• Building trust and relationships: Establish and maintain key peer relationships at the school and across the University. Will also work with ODAR’s leadership in support of the Vice Dean’s priorities, including scheduling and ensuring that all staff meetings are scheduled, and agendas are prepared and distributed in a timely manner.
• Dean’s office coordination – Serves as the primary ODAR point of contact for scheduling dean’s visits ensuring that outreach for meetings is coordinated across ODAR. Works closely with Dean’s office staff to ensure coordination of calendars.
• Travel management: Arrange travel for visits, events, and other trips, prepare itineraries and gather other materials, and reconcile corporate card expenses to ensure timely payment.
• Project management and support: Coordinate projects as needed in partnership with the Vice Dean and ODAR leadership, track deliverables and take notes and minutes as needed, staff ODAR events as needed, and represent the team at School-wide events.
• Performs other duties as assigned

PLEASE NOTE: While travel is not anticipated, on rare occasions, evening and weekend work may be necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an overtime, benefits eligible position with a schedule of 40 hours/week. 

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years related experience required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
• Previous experience with executive calendar management required.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must submit a cover letter to be considered for this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Aptitude for learning new systems quickly
• Familiarity with the basic principles of fundraising.
• Ability to anticipate, connect the dots and problem-solve.
• Familiarity with SharePoint and Advance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint required
• Experience providing complex administrative support in a high-profile environment
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proven task management, organizational, and creative problem-solving skills
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism handing competing demands in a fast-paced environment and handling sensitive/confidential information     

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country! 

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions. 
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings. 
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers. 

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.