Executive Assistant

Marine Biological Laboratory; Falmouth (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts seeks an Executive Assistant to the Chief Advancement Officer to provide strategic administrative support, manage complex calendars, draft materials, and coordinate donor engagements.

The role collaborates with the Development and Communications teams, handles confidential information, and leads end-to-end projects while ensuring equity and inclusion in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a nonprofit.
• Experience supporting senior executive leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with attention to detail.
• Experience maintaining the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, CRM software, and video conferencing platforms.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, with flexibility to adapt.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage the CAO's calendar and prioritize commitments.
• Prepare the CAO with daily/weekly briefing materials and materials needed for meetings.
• Draft correspondence and briefing memos for donor and Board interactions in the CAO's voice.
• Prepare agendas and pre-read materials; track actions and follow up.
• Act as primary contact for the CAO and decide what requires direct attention.
• Handle sensitive matters with discretion and escalate when needed.
• Serve as liaison to Board of Trustees for scheduling and materials distribution.
• Lead select projects end-to-end from planning to execution.
• Represent the CAO at internal meetings and report key takeaways.
• Coordinate complex travel for donors and conferences with contingency planning.
• Oversee CAO's expense reports and meeting logistics.
• Provide back-up support to the Office of the President/Director.
• Uphold confidentiality and promote equity and inclusion.

Skills

Calendar management

Executive support

Communication

Confidentiality

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Travel coordination

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

NXT CRM

ERP systems (NetSuite)

Job description

The Executive Assistant to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) provides administrative and strategic support to the CAO, including project management, communications, prioritization, problem‑solving, and relationship‑building with visitors to MBL, Board of Trustees members, and donors. The role also supports a defined portfolio of duties for the Director of Communications.

This position contributes directly to key fundraising initiatives and cross‑functional collaboration across the Development and Communications teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, detail‑oriented, and able to handle confidential information with discretion while thriving in a dynamic, mission‑driven workplace.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer
• Partners closely with: Director of Communications, Senior Associate Director of Advancement, and the Database Administrator, as well colleagues across units.

Executive & Administrative Support to the CAO

• Proactively manage the CAO's calendar to protect time for priority work, anticipating conflicts and renegotiating commitments as needed — not simply booking what is requested.
• Prepare the CAO with a daily/weekly briefing covering schedule, key issues, materials needed, and pending decisions.
• Draft correspondence, talking points, and briefing memos for donor and Board interactions, in the CAO's voice.
• Prepare agendas and pre‑read materials in advance of CAO meetings; track resulting action items and follow up with responsible parties to ensure completion.
• Act as primary point of contact for the CAO, exercising judgment to determine which requests need the CAO's direct attention, which can be delegated, and which the EA can resolve independently.
• Exercise discretion to handle sensitive or time‑critical matters in the CAO's absence, escalating appropriately.
• Serve as liaison to Board of Trustees members on the CAO's behalf for scheduling, materials distribution, and routine inquiries.
• Take ownership of select projects end‑to‑end on the CAO's behalf, from planning through execution.
• Represent the CAO at select internal meetings as needed, reporting back key takeaways and decisions.
• Manage complex, multi‑stakeholder travel arrangements for the CAO, including donor visits and conference travel, with itinerary optimization and contingency planning.
• Manage day‑to‑day administrative needs for the CAO, including expense reports and meeting logistics.
• Serve as first point of contact for the Development and Communications department, managing phone inquiries and routing calls appropriately.
• Provide back‑up coverage for the Office of the President/Director.
• Uphold confidentiality and represent the CAO and Development department with professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Donor Engagement & Development Support

• Manage donor outreach in partnership with Development team members, including personalized communications, briefing materials, itineraries, campus parking, and tours.
• Coordinate planning and logistics for meetings, donor events, and special initiatives across the Development department.
• Maintain the CAO's and Director's donor portfolios in NXT in collaboration with the Senior Associate Director of Advancement and the Database Administrator, including recording interactions, ensuring accurate and timely data entry, and pulling weekly reports.
• Partner with the Database Administrator to run donor reports, log research, and keep donor contact details current in NXT.
• Help prepare for Board Development Committee meetings, including preparing templated PowerPoint decks, gathering information from Development team members, and conducting research as needed.

Project & Department Management

• Lead and track key departmental projects, initiatives, and timelines in collaboration with the CAO and other team members, including taking and distributing meeting minutes.
• Maintain shared calendars, project schedules, and department tools for Development and Communications using project management software (e.g., Monday).
• Maintain department‑wide organizational systems, tools, and administrative processes for Development and Communications to ensure efficiency.

Financial & Budget Support

Under the direction of the CAO, support financial activities and monitor departmental budgets for Development and Communications using NetSuite, including:

• Timely submission of purchase orders
• Acknowledging receipt of goods and services so invoices may be paid
• Engaging with vendors and directing invoices appropriately
• Running and reviewing financial and budgetary reports
• Alerting the CAO and departmental managers to budget issues as they arise
• Supporting development of budgets as needed

• Process department invoices, reimbursements, and credit card reconciliation.
• Staff member will receive appropriate NetSuite access and training, along with orientation to MBL financial policies required to perform these responsibilities.

Other

• Provide basic administrative support to the Director of Communications (e.g., expenses, travel as needed).
• Take on other duties and special projects to support the overall work of the Development and Communications teams.

Qualifications

Required:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a non‑profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executive leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with experience interacting across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment, with continual attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials.
• Experience maintaining the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive organizational and leadership information.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, CRM software, and video conferencing platforms.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, with flexibility to adapt to MBL's evolving needs.

Preferred:

• Project management experience (2+ years).
• Experience with CRM/donor database platforms (e.g., NXT) and/or ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite) — training will be provided.

Education:

• • Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent work experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.