Executive Assistant - Advancement

The Jackson Laboratory; Farmington (CT); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory in Farmington, CT is seeking an Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement. This role serves as the VP's frontline representative and orchestrates the Advancement office to ensure smooth operations and flawless execution.

You will manage calendars, travel, and expenses with discretion, draft donor-facing correspondence, and maintain portfolio records. The position emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and a strong donor-centric approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 5+ years of related experience.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Excellent communication and time-management abilities.
• Proven discretion, judgment, and ability to work independently.
• Fundraising or development experience is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Be the VP's right hand: manage calendar, travel, and expenses with total discretion.
• Anchor the Advancement office as the central hub for daily operations.
• Draft and edit donor-facing correspondence and VP/Advancement communications.
• Maintain donor portfolio notes and solicitation plans; audit database entries.
• Assist with budget tracking and coordinate with the team to align with leadership priorities.

Skills

Calendar management

Travel coordination

Executive support

Discretion & judgment

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

CRM/donor database

Job description

Executive Assistant to the Vice President for AdvancementBe the Engine Behind Mission-Driven FundraisingAt The Jackson Laboratory, our work discovers precise genomic solutions for disease and empowers the global biomedical community to improve human health. None of that happens without the philanthropic partnerships that fuel our science — and none of that happens without an exceptional Executive Assistant keeping our Advancement leadership running at its best.We're looking for a polished, sharp, and endlessly capable Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement to serve as the frontline representative of the VP and the lead orchestrator of our Advancement office. If you thrive on precision, love being the person who makes complex things run smoothly, and want your work to have a direct line to life-changing research, this is your role.What You'll DoBe the VP's right hand. Manage a dynamic calendar, coordinate travel, juggle project management, and handle expenses with zero drama and total discretion.Anchor the office. Be the central hub for day-to-day Advancement operations and serve as a source of informed partnership for the broader team.Own the story. Draft and edit correspondence and donor-facing presentations, that reflect the accuracy and voice of the VP and Advancement team.Keep the donor pipeline sharp. Support portfolio management, log meeting notes, maintain solicitation plans, and audit database entries for accuracy.Contribute to the bigger picture. Assist with budget tracking and financial recommendations, and partner with fellow EAs to keep Advancement aligned with JAX's broader leadership.What You BringBachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experienceOutstanding writing, editing, and communication skillsFluency with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM/donor database softwareA sixth sense for discretion, judgment, and working independentlyA genuine customer-service mindset and an entrepreneurial streakFundraising or development experience is a strong plusWhy JAXYou'll be joining an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with nearly a century of impact — from uncovering the genetic basis of cancer to advancing precision medicine for rare diseases. Your work in Advancement directly fuels that mission, connecting donors, trustees, and leadership to the science that's changing lives.Location: New York, NY, Farmington, CT or Bar Harbor, ME (hybrid — 2–3 days on-site, occasional travel) Compensation: The pay range for this position is $75,074 - $108,857. Compensation offers are determined based on an assessment of related work experience, geographic location, and internal equity.About JAX:The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.EEO Statement:The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.