Administrative Assistant - Research (Faculty & Operations)

About the role

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is dedicated to ending cancer for life through specialized care, innovative research, and training the next generation of scientists and clinicians.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic administrative partner to faculty, principal investigators, and/or research operations leadership
• Manage highly complex, fast-changing calendars across multiple stakeholders
• Cook up high-volume meetings with internal and external partners
• Plan and execute domestic and international travel, including detailed itineraries and expense reconciliation
• Support laboratory and research operations, including onboarding, purchasing, and coordination of activities
• Manage administrative documentation (CVs, biosketches, letters of recommendation, academic materials)
• Support payroll, timekeeping, and workforce processes (e.g., Workday or similar systems)
• Cook up procurement and financial workflows for research activities (e.g., Coupa or similar tools)
• Serve as a key point of coordination across faculty, lab teams, research cores, and institutional stakeholders
• Proactively identify and resolve complex administrative challenges with minimal oversight
• Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment and discretion

Qualifications

• Significant administrative experience supporting senior leaders in a complex organization (research, academic, healthcare, or similar environment strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated success managing competing priorities and multiple stakeholders simultaneously
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Experience working with enterprise systems (e.g., Workday, Coupa, BioMED, or similar platforms)
• Proven ability to operate independently, anticipate needs, and problem-solve proactively

Core Skills

• Executive-level communication and professionalism
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong stakeholder management and partnership mindset
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive information
• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach with strong follow-through

Additional Information

• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Work Arrangement: On-site 5 days per week during the initial 6-month probationary period, transitioning to a hybrid schedule (3 days onsite) thereafter.
• Location: 417 East 68th Street, New York, NY
• Reporting to: Associate Director, Research Operations