Executive Assistant to the Chair

Under limited supervision, provides operational coordination, administrative support, and project management to the Executive Director or Chair of an academic branch or of a multi-faceted, self-contained operating division administered under autonomous circumstances. Manages the day-to-day administrative and secretarial support activities of the office and supervises support staff and/or students, as appropriate; may independently admi

Position Overview

The Executive Assistant to the Chair provides high-level executive, administrative, operational, and project management support to the Chair of the Department of Surgery. This position serves as a trusted partner to the Chair and Department Leadership Team, ensuring the efficient coordination of executive priorities, strategic initiatives, communications, and daily operations across a large, complex academic medical department.

Working under limited supervision, the Executive Assistant exercises independent judgment, discretion, and initiative while managing highly confidential information, coordinating activities involving faculty, hospital leadership, university administration, and external organizations. The position serves as the primary point of contact for the Chair''s Office and facilitates communication between departmental leadership, faculty, staff, trainees, university officials, hospital partners, and external stakeholders.

The Executive Assistant provides project management support for departmental initiatives, coordinates executive meetings and events, prepares correspondence, monitors deadlines, and manages executive travel and related administrative activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive executive administrative support to the Department Chair, including managing a complex calendar, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, and preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison between the Chair''s Office, Department Leadership, the School of Medicine, UNM Health, University offices, and external partners.
• Coordinate department meetings, faculty events, leadership retreats, and executive communications.
• Monitor departmental deadlines and develop efficient administrative workflows and office procedures for the Office of the Chair.
• Coordinate and support strategic initiatives and special projects by researching, compiling, analyzing, and presenting information for executive decision-making.
• Assist with departmental fiscal operations, including purchasing, travel reimbursements, PCard reconciliation, budget tracking, and compliance with University policies.
• Exercise independent judgment while handling sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain executive files, organizational records, and departmental documentation, ensuring timely follow-up on action items and requests.
• Perform other administrative, operational, and project-related duties as assigned in support of the Chair and Department operations.
• Administer a defined program initiative or service operation for the unit.