Administrative Assistant

Association of American Universities (AAU); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

AAU, based in Washington, DC, is seeking an Administrative Assistant reporting to the Senior Vice President for Administration. The role provides high‑level administrative support to executives and portfolios, manages scheduling and travel, drafts communications, and coordinates meetings and materials.

The position operates from AAU's DC office with a hybrid work option after 90 days, requiring in‑office presence at least 3 days per week.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience providing administrative support.
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
• Strong judgment, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• Ability to work proactively and independently while contributing effectively as a team member.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow through on long‑term projects.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with frequent change and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated integrity; ability to follow AAU policies and procedures and maintain consistent attendance.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
• Intermediate knowledge of Office 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to Senior Vice President for Administration and Vice President for Research & Institutional Policy.
• Manage scheduling, travel arrangements, project tracking, and communication.
• Draft and edit first drafts of documents; screen inquiries and direct priorities.
• Support meetings, committees, boards, and group activities; track timelines and action items.
• Assist with meeting materials and note‑taking; coordinate with internal and external partners.

Skills

Administrative support

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Independent work

Team player

Tools

Office 365

SharePoint

OneDrive

Planner

Job description

Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America's leading research universities. AAU helps shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation, promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education, and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.

The Opportunity

AAU is pleased to announce the search for an Administrative Assistant. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Administration, this position provides administrative support to both the Senior Vice President for Administration and the Vice President for Research & Institutional Policy, as well as their respective portfolios.

The Administrative Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for portfolio workflow, managing scheduling, travel arrangements, project tracking, internal and external communications, writing first drafts and editing, while screening and directing inquiries to ensure priorities and projects are successfully achieved.

The Administrative Assistant also supports supervisors' meetings, committees, boards, and other group activities by maintaining timelines, coordinating schedules with members and external partners, gathering and disseminating meeting materials, sending communications, and taking detailed notes while tracking action items.

This position operates primarily from AAU's DC office. After completing 90 days of employment, this position is eligible for a hybrid work environment that requires being in the office at least 3 days per week.

This position is classified as hourly and non-exempt.

To read a more detailed list of job duties for this role, see the listing on our application site: Administrative Assistant - Washington, DC - Association of American Universities Jobs

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• By the date of hire, applicants must reside within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Required Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience providing administrative support.
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills.
• Strong judgment, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• Ability to work proactively and independently while contributing effectively as a team member.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow through on long‑term projects.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with frequent change and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated integrity; ability to follow AAU policies and procedures and maintain consistent attendance.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
• Intermediate knowledge of Office 365 applications, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting meetings, events, committees, or board activities.
• Experience working in non-profit, association, higher education, and/or university campus setting.
• Experience working with association management systems or CRM, mass email systems, and website content management systems.

Compensation

The total compensation package for this role includes:

• A base annual salary ranging from $55,000 – 60,000 (commensurate with experience).
• A robust benefits package, including fully employer-funded medical and dental insurance premiums for employees, their spouse, and qualified dependents; an employer-funded 403(b) retirement account contribution valued at 10% of employee's yearly salary with full vestment after one year; a monthly commuter stipend; generous leave options, and more.

Qualified individuals with a disability will be provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application process. Please contact us at [e-mail] or call 202‑898‑7841 to request accommodation.

AAU is committed to a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status, homeless status, or any other factors prohibited by federal, state, and local law.