Assistant to Chair, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe.

Exciting Opportunity at MSK: MSK is seeking an Assistant to the Chair for the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), led by Dr. Charles Sawyers. Founded in 2006 to address the evolving challenges of cancer research in the era of targeted therapies, HOPP brings together multidisciplinary researchers to advance scientific discovery and translate findings from the laboratory into the clinic. The program includes nearly 20 physician-scientists leading independent laboratories and a team of approximately 300 research and administrative staff. As Chair, Dr. Sawyers oversees the department’s research, financial, and administrative operations while also leading his own laboratory.

This highly visible role is ideal for a proactive, detail-oriented administrative professional who thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually dynamic environment. The ideal candidate is a trusted partner who can anticipate needs, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities while supporting the administrative and operational functions of a complex, high-impact research program.

Role Overview:

• Ensure the smooth flow of communication between investigators, members of the lab, institutional contacts, and external contacts
• Lab Administration Support: Collaborate closely with the Lab Manager to support efficient and compliant lab operations. Demonstrate a strong understanding of lab functions and manage day-to-day administrative activities. Coordinate lab meetings, seminars, and events, and facilitate onboarding and orientation for new lab personnel, including lab-specific training and compliance requirements. Work with laboratory members on IACUC protocol submissions and amendments to ensure timely and compliant submissions. Oversee the purchase of capital equipment and maintain accurate inventory, service, and maintenance records.
• Calendar Management & Scheduling: Coordinate and manage the Chair’s calendar, program meetings and calls. Prepare agendas, meeting materials; ensure the Chair is well-prepared for all engagements.
• Travel Coordination: Coordinate international and domestic travel and multi-city trip and speaking engagements.
• Office Operations: Manage office supplies and inventory, equipment, and software to ensure optimal functionality. Submit and track expense reports, purchase requisitions, reimbursements, and other administrative forms.
• Document Preparation & Editorial Support: Assist in drafting letters of support, and presentations. Support grant submissions and compile/submit documentation for regulatory and licensing agencies.
• Seminars, Academic Appointments & Recruitment: Collaborate with the Program Administrator and Office of Scientific Staff Affairs in coordinating appointments, reappointments, and promotions. Support programmatic recruitment efforts, and candidate coordination.
• Trainee Recruitment, Appointments, Promotion, and Terminations: Trainee appointment and lifecycle processes, including recruitment, lab onboarding, appointments, promotions, and terminations. Collaborate with relevant departments to establish streamlined workflows, maintain compliance with institutional guidelines, and provide administrative support to facilitate career advancement opportunities for trainees.
• Project Management for Chair and Department: Working collaboratively with the Chair and Program Administrator on programmatic initiatives, including work-in-progress meetings, Cycle for Survival and departmental projects as needed.

Key Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a high-level administrative or executive assistant role.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, technically and AI savvy, and other relevant software tools.
• Experience in academic or healthcare settings is a plus.

Core Skills: 

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Resourceful and customer-service oriented
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. An effective communicator, capable of determining how best to reach different audiences
• Experience managing high-stakes projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Passion for improving systems, collaborating and customer services and user experience.
• Willing to take action and eager to accept new opportunities and tough challenges with high energy, and passion
• The ability to work independently and follow up on pending items within the appropriate timeframes

Additional Information: 

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours, (onsite with some flexibility after probationary period)
• Location: 417 East 68th Street, NYC
• Reports to:  Program Administrator, HOPP – OSRM
• Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program

Helpful Links: 

• Compensation Philosophy
• Benefits

Closing:

At MSK, we believe in fair, competitive pay that reflects your job, experience, and skills.

MSK is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.  

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.