The Chief of Staff to the Scientific Director & CEO serves as the CEO's principal strategic partner, trusted advisor, and chief integrator, helping translateNYGC’s vision into coordinated action across the organization.

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Working in close day-to-day partnership with the Scientific Director & CEO, this individual strengthens communication and alignment across the executive leadership team, drives strategic initiatives, anticipates organizational challenges, and ensures effective execution of the NYGC's highest priorities. The Chief of Staff works across scientific, operational, financial, and administrative domains, connecting people, priorities, and processes to advance NYGC's missions.

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The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder who thrives in a highly collaborative environment and is comfortable working behind the scenes to amplify the effectiveness of the Scientific Director & CEO and the executive leadership team.

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This position requires a highly collaborative, full-time onsite presence and close day-to-day engagement with the Scientific Director & CEO and senior leadership.

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Specific job responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Strategic Leadership and Executive Partnership:

  • Partner closely with the Scientific Director to define, communicate and execute NYGC’s strategic priorities.

  • Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Scientific Director & CEO, providing independent analysis and recommendations while supporting institutional decision-making.

  • Help translate strategic vision into actionable plans and coordinated execution across the organization.

  • Anticipate challenges and opportunities, proactively identifying issues requiring executive attention and facilitating timely decision-making.

  • Support the Scientific Director & CEO in advancing major institutional initiatives, including genomic AI, clinical genomics, technology platforms, faculty growth, and strategic partnerships.

• Executive Leadership and Organizational Alignment

  • Strengthen communication, coordination, and alignment across the senior management team.

  • Facilitate executive meetings and follow-up, ensuring accountability for decisions and progress toward institutional goals.

  • Build strong working relationships across the organization and help foster a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and transparency.

  • Coordinate cross-functional initiatives that require participation from multiple departments and stakeholders.

  • Help ensure that strategic priorities are consistently communicated and effectively executed.

• Communications:

  • Coordinate day-to-day priorities and manage the flow of information to and from the Scientific Director & CEO.

  • Prepare briefings, presentations, talking points, board materials, and executive communications.

  • Serve as a liaison between the Scientific Director & CEO and NYGC leadership, faculty, Staff, partner institutions, and external stakeholders.

  • Support the Scientific Director & CEO’s communication strategy and external engagement activities and may travel to external meetings with the Scientific Director.

  • Gather information, independently resolve issues when appropriate, escalate when necessary, and succinctly summarize key decisions and recommendations.

• Executive Advisory and Governance

  • Prepare high-level communications and strategic materials for the Board of Directors and executive committees.

  • Support governance activities involving the scientific advisory board, and major institutional initiatives.

  • Coordinate scientific and operational input into institutional planning, including budgets, infrastructure investments, and strategic priorities.

  • Support planning and tracking for key organizational initiatives and long-term institutional goals.

• Operational Integration and Project Management

  • Lead execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives that advance NYGC’s strategic missions.

  • Facilitate coordination among scientific, operational, administrative, and clinical teams to ensure timely and efficient delivery of institutional priorities.

  • Track progress on strategic initiatives and action items, maintaining visibility into organizational performance and emerging risks.

  • Develop systems and processes that improve organizational effectiveness and reduce unnecessary complexity.

  • Proactively anticipate the needs of the Scientific Director & CEO to optimize time, focus, and organizational impact..

• Leadership and Culture

  • Help foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement

  • Mentor and support staff associated with the Office of the Scientific Director and CEO and strategic initiatives.

  • Represent the Scientific Director & CEO and NYGC at internal and external meetings, as appropriate.

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Position Requirements

• Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership, operational, strategic, or program management experience in academic, nonprofit, biomedical research, healthcare, or related organizations;

• A bachelor’s degree is required, an advanced degree is preferred;

• Familiarity with biomedical research, genomics, healthcare, or related scientific enterprises is strongly preferred;

• Demonstrated success managing complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities;

• Experience supporting senior executives, leading cross-functional projects, or serving in a chief of staff, strategy, operations, or executive leadership role is highly desirable;

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of an organization;

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations and actionable plans;

• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills;

• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality;

• A proactive, solution-oriented approach with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities;

• Passion for NYGC's mission and enthusiasm for advancing biomedical research and innovation.

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Competencies

• Technical and Professional Skills: Demonstrates strong judgment, integrity, discipline, and reliability; appropriately prioritizes work, manages expectations, and consistently delivers on commitments..

• **Collaborative & Communicative: **Builds strong relationships across functions; communicates clearly and thoughtfully; listens carefully; fosters collaboration and trust..

• **Adaptable & Innovative: **Embraces change, anticipates challenges, develops practical solutions, and continuously seeks opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness..

• Leader and Manager: Aligns people and priorities around institutional goals; inspires collaboration; drives execution; develops talent; and translates vision into action.

Work Location

This position will be based full-time onsite at the New York Genome Center. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Salary & Benefits

The pay range for this position is $235,000-265,000 per year; the base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition, NYGC offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as well as generous time off. This includes Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Holidays, Sick, and Other Leave, including a paid winter break; a 401(k) match; Life Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; employee Tuition Reimbursement; flexible schedules and telework options for some positions; an Employee Assistance Program; and much more.

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About the New York Genome Center

The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit, academic research organization dedicated to advancing genomic research. NYGC scientists and staff are furthering new approaches to diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and cancer through their unique capabilities in whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, state-of-the art analytics, and the development of genomic tools. NYGC concentrates specifically on disease-based research in the following areas: neuropsychiatric disease (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar); neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), and cancer.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the New York Genome Center was founded by and remains closely affiliated with the leading academic medical centers and research universities in the New York region, engaging in research projects with and for these institutions. Essential to our collaborative work is an outstanding faculty, whose members typically hold a joint appointment at NYGC and a partner university. They support our scientific mission by conducting independent research in areas of mutual interest to us and the wider scientific community.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to fostering a workplace environment that is welcoming and fair to all, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to thrive. We believe that bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to greater collaboration, innovation, and discovery. Valuing and supporting each employee in reaching their full potential strengthens our organization and enhances our collective success. We recognize that creating an environment where all employees feel valued and included requires sustained effort and dedication from the entire organization.

The New York Genome Center is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, protected veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NYGC takes affirmative action in support of its policy to hire and advance in employment individuals who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

FLSA Status – Exempt

This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Required Skills

Required Experience

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
2. At least one year of general human resource experience preferred.
3. Human Resource certification is preferred.
4. Demonstrated ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social-economic backgrounds.
5. Demonstrated effective & professional written, oral and presentation communication skills with both internal and external audiences both one on one and in large group settings.
6. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
7. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
8. Demonstrated use of tact, judgment and discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
9. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a successful team while accomplishing tasks and assignments without assistance, even while multi-tasking.
10. Highly motivated and solution-oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College.
11. High proficiency in demonstration of office technology including Microsoft Office Suite, software, & equipment. Ability and willingness to upgrade skills including technology or process changes.
12. Demonstrated ability to build working relationships with external and internal constituents.
13. Must be adaptable and flexible to changes in tasks, processes and locations.
14. Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
15. Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
16. Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS, talent management, and LMS systems.

Essential Function:

1. Assists with employee recruitment. Responsible for posting job opening announcements to the MCC website, and local & national advertisers, as needed.
2. Serves as an administrator on multiple HR systems as assigned including performance evaluations, applicant tracking, etc. and internal/external webpages.
3. First point of contact handling employment-related inquiries with exceptional service referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff. Interacts with college employees, students, applicants, or outside contacts to provide information, solve routine problems, or otherwise respond to requests.
4. Recruits and facilitates the hiring of qualified student job applicants for open positions.
5. Conducts or acquires background checks and any employee eligibility verifications or screenings, establishes and ensures human resource files are complete including digital files.
6. Oversees, tracks, and documents compliance of training. This may include safety training, anti-harassment training, professional licensure, and aptitude exams and certifications.
7. May oversee the scheduling, assignments, and daily work of student or other assigned staff in the department.
8. Supports, implements and tracks new hire orientation, employee recognition programs and HR related events.
9. May attend and participate in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
10. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including recommending best practices.
11. May assist with requests for information from the unemployment office, as well as keep staff and administration informed of issues.
12. Composes original correspondence and letters, weekly HR college-wide communications, memos, reports, forms, charts, or other documents. Supports/maintains HR social media presence.
13. Assists in labor contract negotiations preparations. Maintains and updates collective bargaining agreement for college unionized groups.
14. Responsible for organizing and maintaining policy and procedure manuals.
15. Manages projects as assigned and participates in functional and cross-functional initiatives.
16. Provides backup for other Human Resource functions or projects as necessary.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☐ Detailed Work

☒ Student Contact

☒ Deadline oriented

☒ Problem Situations

☒ Multiple Priorities & Demands

☒ Emergency Situations

☒ Confidentiality

☐ On-call Availability

☒ Continual Interruptions

☒ Working Alone

☒ Faculty Contact

☒ Working with Others

Physical Demands:

☐ Standing & Walking

☒ Sitting

☐ Reclining

☐ Carrying

☐ Lifting up to 10 lbs. ☐ Up to 25 lbs. ☐ Up to 50 lbs. ☐ 80 + lbs.

☐ Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending

☐ Climb or Balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl

☐ Squatting

☒ Handle or Feel

☐ Reach with Hands and Arms

☒ Talking or hearing

☐ Tasting/Smelling

☐ Working Overhead

☒ Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☒ Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒ Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. To the extent required by applicable law, anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.