Executive Assistant to the Chair

The Department of Surgery is seeking a highly organized, diplomatic, and strategic Executive Assistant to serve as a trusted partner to the Chair of the Department of Surgery. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Department's mission by enabling leadership to focus on strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, and key stakeholder relationships while ensuring the seamless management of day-to-day executive operations. Operating with considerable autonomy, the Executive Assistant utilizes sound judgment, strategic thinking, and discretion to manage complex priorities and highly confidential matters. The successful candidate anticipates leadership needs, proactively resolves administrative and operational challenges, and serves as an extension of the Chair's Office in interactions with faculty, staff, trainees, university administration, hospital leadership, and external partners. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for the Chair's Office and is responsible for coordinating complex executive schedules, facilitating communications, managing strategic projects, overseeing administrative operations, monitoring critical deadlines, and ensuring alignment of departmental activities with the mission and priorities of the Department of Surgery. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provide comprehensive executive administrative support to the Department Chair, including managing a complex calendar, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, and preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, and briefing materials. Serve as the primary administrative liaison between the Chair's Office, Department Leadership, the School of Medicine, UNM Health, University offices, and external partners.Coordinate department meetings, faculty events, leadership retreats, and executive communications. Monitor departmental deadlines and develop efficient administrative workflows and office procedures for the Office of the Chair.Coordinate and support strategic initiatives and special projects by researching, compiling, analyzing, and presenting information for executive decision-making. Assist with departmental fiscal operations, including purchasing, travel reimbursements, PCard reconciliation, budget tracking, and compliance with University policies. Exercise independent judgment while handling sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Maintain executive files, organizational records, and departmental documentation, ensuring timely follow-up on action items and requests. Perform other administrative, operational, and project-related duties as assigned in support of the Chair and Department operations.Administer a defined program initiative or service operation for the unit.