Executive Assistant    

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the vice president (VP), Research-Evaluation-Learning (REL) and Chief Science Officer, with matrixed reporting to the associate vice president (AVP), REL, the executive assistant will provide seasoned, high-level, and confidential administrative support and perform a variety of specialized and complex administrative and executive duties in support of the REL department.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the executive assistant is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Be the primary point of contact and liaison for day-to-day operational and administrative issues for the VP and AVP.
• Respond to email inquiries on behalf of the VP and AVP.
• Schedule and coordinate appointments to ensure proper balance among competing obligations.
• Assemble meeting materials and other background information for meeting preparation.
• Monitor and organize email inbox, elevating urgent messages for prompt action, and track meeting materials, agendas, and other action items.
• Identify and add reminders for tasks that require action or follow-up. Track to ensure such tasks are done.
• Maintain department lists including group email lists, staff contact information, staff work anniversaries and create and manage members in the department’s Teams channels.
• Anticipate and advise on matters requiring attention due to conflicts.
• Schedule and coordinate travel arrangements, including preparation, follow-up, and processing of expense reports aligned with RWJF’s travel and expense policy.
• Monitor department travel budget and elevate trends that help future approvals and budget requests.
• Coordinate proper backup coverage while away from the office and/or during absence(s) from work.
• Assist and respond to inquiries from department directors and colleagues as they arise.
• Help with onboarding of new staff by scheduling appropriate meetings and providing temporary assistance when needed.
• Serve as frontline agent for the VP and AVP to colleagues and the public in representing the department and the Foundation in a professional manner.
• Interact and collaborate with others across the Foundation and with external consultants daily.
• Serve as agent for VP and AVP in overall coordination of Program activities.
• As needed, attend meetings, prepare agenda items, and provide administrative support.
• Proactively follow up on action items that arise from meetings.
• Perform research related to Foundation programming and administrative activities, as needed.
• Maintain correspondence and materials and provide information, as needed, to other foundations, institutions, potential grantees, and active grantees.
• Perform other related duties to support the REL department goals, as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in current role with minimal oversight from people leader.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated people and performance management skills, as well as an ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, emotional intelligence, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team effort; experience mentoring staff and colleagues at multiple levels; orientation to teambuilding.
• Ability to travel to Princeton office for relevant internal meetings including WeTime and other in-person events, as requested by your people leader.
• Minimum of five (5) years related experience in executive office performing management and administrative duties. Experience supporting multiple executives a plus.
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft 365 Suite, portable devices (e.g., iPad, iPhone), internet research, digital tools, and general office equipment.
• Demonstrated excellence in calendar management, including coordination of complex meetings and travel schedules.
• Ability to use technology to work effectively, creatively, and to improve efficiency.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to create, compose, and edit correspondence and other written materials.
• Exceptional proofreading and editing skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-based, highly collaborative environment.
• Strong oral and written communications skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.
• Demonstrated people skills with experience providing complex administrative support with tact, diplomacy, discretion, confidentiality, and a good sense of humor.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, organization, and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Capability to always maintain professional conduct and demeanor showing high levels of emotional intelligence.
• Flexibility in navigating, experiencing, and managing change.
• Strong decisionmaking and ability to take initiative; attention to detail; and ability to anticipate issues and needs.
• Occasional overtime may be needed.
• Preferred: Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be considered with particular interest for the role: 
  • 7+ years of administrative experience, as well as support to one or more executives/senior staff members.
  • 9+ years of administrative experience, as well as support to one or more executives/senior staff members.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The incumbent will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. Incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position's Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $76,700. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $84,370. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job. 

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.

Application Deadline

Monday, January 5, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET.