Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement
Be the Engine Behind Mission-Driven Fundraising
At 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 Do
Be 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 Bring
- Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experience
- Outstanding writing, editing, and communication skills
- Fluency with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM/donor database software
- A sixth sense for discretion, judgment, and working independently
- A genuine customer-service mindset and an entrepreneurial streak
- Fundraising or development experience is a strong plus
Why JAX
You'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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 5+ years of related experience
- Outstanding writing, editing, and communication skills
- Fluency with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM or donor database software
- Discretion, sound judgment, and ability to work independently
- Customer-service mindset and entrepreneurial approach
- Fundraising or development experience
The Jackson Laboratory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Jackson Laboratory and has not been reviewed or approved by The Jackson Laboratory.
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Retirement Support — Retirement contributions up to 10% and employer‑paid life and disability insurance indicate robust long‑term financial support. The retirement program is positioned as a standout element of the total package.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, fertility benefits, FSAs, EAP access, and onsite fitness centers point to strong healthcare support. These offerings contribute to a well‑rounded, reliable benefits foundation.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Entry‑level operations roles advertise site‑specific starting pay with regularly scheduled increases. Publicly posted entry rates and promised regular increases can help satisfaction early on.
The Jackson Laboratory Insights
What We Do
Cancer. Diabetes. Alzheimer’s. Heart Disease. Parkinson’s. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) leads the search to cure diseases rooted in our DNA. Founded in 1929, we are an NCI-designated Cancer Center since 1983 and an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit research organization with over 90 years of experience in genetics and genomics research. JAX blends the brightest minds with state-of-the-art resources to accelerate discovery. Areas of Discovery (75+ Principal Investigators, >250 Ph.D.s, M.D.s, and D.V.M.s): • Cancer: We are a National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center focusing on cancer initiation, progression, prevention and therapies. • Developmental/reproductive biology: birth defects, Down syndrome, osteoporosis, fertility • Immunology: HIV-AIDS, anemia, autoimmunity, cancer immunology, immune disorders, lupus, transplant rejection • Metabolic diseases: atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, microbiome • Neurobiology: blindness, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, deafness, epilepsy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases • Neurobehavioral disorders: autism, addiction, depression Supporting Global Research: • The JAX Mouse Repository and Scientific Services are among the premier resources available for biomedical research. Committed to Education: • Summer Student Program (undergrad & high school) • Teaching the Genome Generation Short Course • Ph.D. programs: U. Maine, Tufts University and U. Connecticut • Courses, Conferences and Workshops
