EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR
Req #: | 168421 |
Department: | BIOCHEMISTRY |
Posting Date: | 07/18/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: |
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
Please note that this position has been reposted. If you have already submitted your application, you need not submit it again, as it has already been received. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for four consecutive years.
The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington has contributed to many phases of research. Initially recognized for incisive studies of the structure and function of proteins, and the mechanisms of enzyme action, the department branched out into a multitude of other areas. These included: developmental biology of flies, fish, frogs, and mice; molecular mechanisms of aging in yeast and mammals; vertebrate visual and immune responses; chromosome dynamics, cell division, DNA replication and repair; energy transduction during photosynthesis; protein secretion and membrane fusion; translational control and regulated protein degradation; protein structure determination by crystallography and NMR spectroscopy; and protein structure prediction and enzyme design. Our diversity of interests guarantees a rich intellectual and educational environment.
About the Institute for Protein Design:
The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington in Seattle is creating a new world of synthetic proteins to address 21st-century challenges in medicine, energy, and technology. The IPD is a unique interdisciplinary environment where world-class researchers with expertise in computing and software, biochemistry, genome sciences, biological structure, pharmacology, immunology and other basic science disciplines, as well as clinical medicine, work together to both computationally design and experimentally characterize novel biomolecules. Current projects include the design of novel therapeutics for cancer, neurological diseases, and more, as well as new vaccines, nanomaterials, and enzymes.
The Institute for Protein Design currently has an outstanding opportunity for an EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR.
The Executive Assistant (Assistant to Director) is primarily responsible for providing complex executive support to David Baker, Director of the Institute for Protein Design (IPD), Professor of Biochemistry, and HHMI Investigator. This key position at the IPD serves to ensure the effective functioning of the IPD Director’s day-to-day activities, thereby ensuring the smooth functioning of the Institute and optimizing the Director’s effectiveness in longer term program aspirations.
The Executive Assistant serves as a key member of the Institute for Protein Design (IPD) administrative staff, acting as the direct primary interface between both internal and external stakeholders and Dr. Baker, the Director of the IPD. The Executive Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of special projects, contributing to the IPD longer-term strategic endeavors (the cultivation of various professional colleagues, visitors, donors, higher university administration, commercial partners, government leaders, press interactions, etc.). The work requires discretion and includes a wide range of advanced, diversified, and confidential administrative duties.
Critical thinking, initiative and sound judgment based on experience are required to manage tasks, resolve problems, and make recommendations. These tasks may be complex and require considerable judgment, independent action and a high degree of initiative. Work is performed with a high level of autonomy and independence.
Duties & Responsibilities:
In this role, the Executive Assistant will commit 40% of their effort to managing the IPD Director’s complex activities, including travel arrangements, conferences, maintaining schedules, managing calendars and ensuring responsiveness to all Director’s communications to ensure a conflict-free meeting schedule and excellent external and internal communications.
The remaining effort will be dedicated to:
Lead Responsibilities:
1. Manage completely and efficiently the Director’s calendar, meetings, and travel needs including communication and coordination with necessary stakeholders.
2. Handle any related travel logistics, including budgeting and travel reimbursements in accordance with UW policies.
3. Organization and execution of high-level executive meetings, including IPD Board Meetings, and a variety of events involving high-level donors and collaborators.
4. Manage routine and confidential correspondence within the School, UW and to the outside community as needed on behalf of the Director; processing required forms for outside work, SFI and other necessary paperwork in accordance with UW and SOM requirements..
5. Maintain the Director’s CV and biography, as required for submissions. Manage all of Director’s requests for recommendation letters and other sensitive documents, ensuring timely delivery and confidentiality of such correspondence.
6. Perform complex document preparation assignments, including research, writing, proofreading, and editing.
7. Respond to requests and inquiries from both within the University of Washington and the external community which require Director’s attention, using appropriate professional judgment and discretion to ensure timely delivery of such correspondence on his behalf. Serve as first point of contact for the IPD Director by managing inquiries and visits, media and interview requests transferred to other relevant stakeholders as needed.
8. In close coordination with the Department of Biochemistry administrative offices and IPD management, help develop and draft policies and procedures, to ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of the Institute. Act as a reliable resource for IPD Director, faculty and staff in managing complex and multi-dimensional projects, high-priority and high-visibility events and collaborations.
9. Track and manage budget expenditures for travel, special events, and Director’s HHMI budget.
10. Coordinate with UW Advancement on special projects including scheduling and assisting with IPD tours, donor development and fund-raising events, IPD Board Meetings, etc.
The Executive Assistant reports directly the IPD Director and secondarily will be free to access the IPD Chief Strategy and Operations Officer (CSOO) for purposes of coordination with the Director. Supervisory activities of the Executive Assistant include oversight of temporary part-time administrative support staff as needed.
Minimum Requirements:
Other required qualifications include:
Desired:
An ideal Executive Assistant will be someone who (i) is good at creative problem solving and can take charge of a situation when necessary, (ii) has an extremely high level of attention to detail, (iii) elects to look at the bright side of things and assume the best intentions, (iv) continually learns and develops new skills, (v) figures out how to get things done, (vi) and has knowledge or experience of the UW work environment and its rules and regulations.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.