Chair’s Assistant & Communications, MCDB

Yale University; New Haven (CT); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University in New Haven seeks a Senior Administrative Assistant II, Chair’s Assistant and Communications, to support the Chair of MCDB and manage departmental communications

The role oversees an annual communication strategy, website content, newsletters, and events, supervising two FTEs, with hybrid work and on-campus collaboration. Strong writing, leadership, and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Take initiative, problem-solve, and exercise independent judgment.
• Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask under time constraints with attention to detail.
• Work independently and as part of an integrated team in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated reliability and discretion in an academic office.

Responsibilities

• Lead a unit and supervise staff, coordinating daily office operations.
• Manage calendars, meetings, and prepare materials and presentations.
• Streamline processes to improve department efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate communications, track deadlines, and support faculty reviews.

Skills

Initiative

Problem-solving

Communication

Organization

Multi-tasking

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Reporting to the Administrative Services Supervisor, the Senior Administrative Assistant II, Chair’s Asst. & Communications, provides high level administrative and customer service support to the Chair of the Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, as well as oversees and maintains all aspects of departmental communications, activities and events.

• Responsible for the department’s communication strategy, by managing and overseeing the website, weekly newsletter, digital signage, and internal announcements.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in web development and social media management to ensure content clarity, organization, adherence to the website’s style and tone guidelines, and visual appeal.
• Utilizes various software programs including Drupal, Panopto, RISE Vision, Beatrix, Yale Message, and Google slides, to facilitate effective communication of departmental news, events, and faculty and student updates.
• As a department spokesperson, proofreads to address spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, maintains consistency in language usage and style, formatting issues, and ensures clarity and coherence in representing the department. Creates high-quality, compelling content for the website, and social media platforms.
• Maintains strict confidentiality serving as the principal source of information for the Chair’s Office, serving faculty and academic administration.
• Proactively identifies and reports potential issues or challenges that may affect the department to the Chair and suggests viable solutions.
• Determines office priorities and ensures the Chair meets deadlines effectively.
• Ensures timely reviews for ladder faculty reappointments and promotions by establishing reasonable schedules, organizing the selection, outreach, and letter submission processes for external referees, reviewing materials to ensure compliance, and coordinates the secure distribution of electronic appointment and promotion documents to appropriate committee members.
• Lead coordinator for the Department's annual senior and junior faculty search and recruiting efforts by screening, triaging and/or resolving requests and questions, handling applicant files using Interfolio and Box, and managing on-site visits for 4-5 senior and up to 4 junior faculty.
• Coordinates and submits the annual department instructional teaching request to the Dean’s Office.
• The Sr. Administrative Assistant II will also act as Team Lead for the departmental and community events team and will direct the day-to-day activities of two (grade D) FTEs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to managing faculty and committee meetings, ensuring that all materials and presentations are prepared in advance and that preparations for all future calendar events are on schedule; assess, coordinate, and troubleshoot technology requirements for meetings and events; oversee the coordination and execution of events and special projects and research information and contribute to the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations, as appropriate.
• Additional duties may be assigned as needed.
• Based on operational needs, there might be changes to our current hybrid work schedule. It is possible that we may need to transition being on campus five days a week, either temporarily or permanently.

Required Skills And Abilities

• Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and exercise independent judgment. Ability to manage time to be efficient and productive. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact well with a varied population including students, visitors (domestic and international), faculty, and staff.
• Excellent organizational skills, as well as written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail, thoroughness, and follow-through. Adaptable, resourceful, and well-spoken, with a strong work ethic and professional demeanor.
• Ability to multi-task effectively with demanding time constraints. Ability to work well under pressure addressing multiple projects. Excellent follow-up skills. Demonstrated ability to be flexible and manage change effectively, often with short notice. Demonstrated ability to learn new systems, processes, and software.
• Proven ability to function independently and as part of an integrated team in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated proficiency providing support in a professional organization. Ability to lead a team and maintain discretion and professionalism.
• Demonstrated history of excellent attendance, reliability, and punctuality. Demonstrated strong administrative support skills. Proven record of resourcefulness, problem-solving, and ability to work independently, without continuous direction.

Principal Responsibilities

• Leads a unit or function, including overseeing and coordinating projects or work processes, and distributes the work of a minimum of two full time employees. 2. Directs the daily operations of the office. Manages calendars and calls, assesses nature of issues and escalates as appropriate. Serves as principal source of information on policies, procedures, programs, and office activities. Oversees, monitors and controls office budget and spending. 3. Participates in special projects on a variety of topics. Identifies project needs. Researches, gathers and analyzes data and materials. Collects project updates in a timely manner; prepares and maintains documentation, tracking, reports and presentations; follows up as appropriate. 4. Performs on-going review of department processes and systems. Develops, implements, and oversees office procedures designed to streamline operations, eliminates duplication and improves efficiency throughout the department. 5. Monitors and prioritizes communications for action and review; provides background necessary for action/decision-making; flags time sensitive material; initiates follow up. 6. Composes and/or coordinates substantive communications, reviews outgoing material for accuracy and completeness. Develops and/or produces materials for presentations. 7. Prioritizes, assigns and monitors work, sets standards and expectations among the department administrative support staff. Ensures appropriate levels of coverage so department priorities can be met. Evaluates and clarifies roles and responsibilities. Establishes and cultivates productive relationships between teams. 8. Attends meetings and drafts minutes. Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary to support the mission of the office. 9. Greets visitors, answers and screens telephone calls and assesses nature of business. Responds to requests for information and provides assistance. Screens and responds to mail. 10. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Eight years of related work experience, six of them in the same job family at the next lower level and a high school level education; or six years of related work experience and an Associate's Degree; or two years of related work experience and a Bachelor's Degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

08/06/2026

Job Category

Administrative Support

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade E

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$35.64

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.