Lead Administrative Assistant, Baker Institute for Animal Health

About The College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is recognized internationally as a leader in animal medicine, public health, biomedical research, and veterinary medical education. Ranked as one of the top veterinary colleges in the nation by US News & World Report, the College excels in providing education and advanced training that prepare veterinarians and scientists to serve society in critical roles in clinical and diagnostic veterinary medicine, public health, scientific inquiry, and public policy.

About The Baker Institute for Animal Health

The Baker Institute was founded in 1950 and has since grown into a globally recognized center for research in animal health. Its past discoveries have had profound impacts on the clinical management of diseases of veterinary species that continue to this day. Building on this tradition, today the faculty, staff, and trainees of the Baker Institute conduct pioneering and collaborative research that addresses current and emerging issues in animal health, while providing world-class training to the next generations of researchers. The Institute faculty conduct studies that reveal the underlying mechanisms of health and disease in animals, applying cutting edge methods in genomics, molecular and cellular biology. We study how pathogens impact cells, tissues, and organs of animals after infection, and how the host immune system responds. Our research considers challenges at all stages of the animal's life cycle from conception to old age. Through addressing health issues at the most fundamental level, and studying naturally occurring diseases processes in animals, we also uncover the pathology of human conditions and diseases, bringing shared benefits for animals and humans. We apply our research findings to diagnose, manage, treat, or prevent diseases. Through its discovery-aimed scientific research, the Baker Institute endeavors every day to improve the lives of animals and humans alike. Baker Institute's unique environment for scientific training means it indirectly also brings widespread benefits to animal health through dissemination of trainees into the animal and human health sectors.

The Opportunity

Are you a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented administrative professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a world-class research institute? The Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Lead Administrative Assistant to provide high-level support to the Institute's Director and close collaboration with the Associate Director for Finance and Administration.

In this key role, reporting to the Institute's Director, you will be an integral part of a collaborative and mission-driven team, ensuring the seamless coordination of daily operations, strategic initiatives, and special projects that advance the Institute's vision. This is an opportunity to work alongside leading faculty, researchers, and administrative professionals, contributing to scientific advancements in animal health.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive-Level Administrative Support to Director

• including correspondence, calendar coordination and scheduling, dossier preparation for promotion, liaison with Institute faculty and staff, special projects, assistance with annual faculty performance reviews and support the recruitment of new faculty.
• Support the Director and Associate Director for Finance and Administration in the daily running of the Institute including oversight of internal communications in collaboration with other administrative staff.
• Event & conference coordination, preparation for Baker & Animal Health Research & Outreach committee meetings, including seminars and training events for staff and trainees.
• In partnership with the Associate Director for Finance and Administration, support other roles at the institute in the team including front desk duties.

Project Support

• Support the Director in the articulation and implementation of initiatives and projects that promote a new Institute vision.
• Collate data and track progress and distribute project reports/materials, coordinate follow-up on project milestones and other related time sensitive tasks.
• Office Leadership Team lead for administrative assistant(s), including mentorship, training, managing time away, delegating responsibilities and performance appraisals.

What We're Looking For:

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate needs and take initiative.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration across diverse teams.
• Discretion and sound judgment, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining keen attention to detail.
• Experience mentoring or leading administrative staff and a passion for cultivating a supportive team environment.
• Ready to jump in, proactively contribute, and be flexible with responsibilities, such as event participation and ad hoc Director support.
  

At the Baker Institute for Animal Health, we are committed to advancing scientific discovery and improving animal and human health. You'll work in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment where your contributions make a tangible difference. As part of Cornell University, you will have access to professional development opportunities, competitive benefits, and a supportive community. If you are an experienced administrative professional with experience supporting leadership and driving vision forward through assigned projects, we encourage you to apply!

Employees may be required to work outside of normal business hours, including occasional holidays, evenings, and weekends. Employees are required to work both independently and collaboratively with all members of the faculty and administrative teams.

What We Need

All applications must include a resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Associate's degree with 4-6 years of executive level administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Excellent organizational, communication, problem solving skills, superior written, verbal and interpersonal skills and time-management skills are essential. Ability to review accurately, in detail, written procedures and correspondence.
• Assist in the development and implementation of projects aimed at fostering organizational change and long-term strategic planning
• Must be diplomatic, tactful, professional, decision-making, setting priorities, handling sensitive/confidential conversations and materials/correspondence with discretion.
• Ability to interact with faculty, support staff, college departments and the campus community, external audiences from academia, industry and government providing high level customer service to the various constituents.
• Needs to exercise professionalism and diplomacy when representing the Director in interactions with individuals in a variety of positions.
• Proven ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams and use sound judgment when referring issues to higher organizational levels for review and consideration.
• Excellent track record in following through on details; respond quickly and effectively to multiple assignments/priorities; oversee multiple applications simultaneously and efficiently within tight deadlines and timeframes.
• Demonstrated research, analytical, critical thinking, planning and organizing, information monitoring, attention to detail and accuracy.
• Expertise in Windows Platforms, Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, OneNote, Excel, PowerPoint, in addition to other applications to manage information and produce reports, including calendaring and project coordination.
• Be self-motivated and take initiative without prompting; contribute positively and proactively to a collaborative team environment and be committed to continuous learning.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Experience working in an academic setting.
• Familiarity with Mac platforms; Aptitude and willingness to learn additional operating systems and software packages such as expertise with Adobe Design Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Content Management Systems: Drupal, Cornell Blogs/WordPress, Dreamweaver; FileMaker Pro, Adobe Acrobat, HTML programming, Concur Travel Program

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, and is fully on-site.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship and/or relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

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Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.