Administrative & Executive Support Manager

Job Summary:

The Administrative and Executive Support Manager will be responsible for leading day-to-day business administration and operations for the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Gates Institute. This includes high-level project management, process and workflow development and implementation, event management, Board support, communications, fiscal oversight, executive support, and seamless coordination of operations across teams and stakeholders. The individual in this position will work closely with Gates Institute directors and staff in addition to coordinating closely with fellow colleagues across the CU system.

The Administrative & Executive Support Manager will also be responsible for managing logistics for high-priority initiatives and will serve as a trusted liaison, ensuring deadlines are met, relationships are proactively managed, and the COO and Executive Director’s commitments and strategic priorities are advanced. As the liaison and right hand of Gates Leadership, this role is responsible for attending project, board and committee meetings, translating larger strategic initiatives into clear and assignable action items/objectives for the COO and Executive Director, and adjusting operations as needed to achieve over-arching objectives.

Serving as a central connector, the Administrative & Executive Support Manager facilitates communication across teams and represents the COO and Executive Director in correspondence and meetings as needed. The role is highly collaborative and requires a blend of organizational rigor, strong communication skills, and the ability to operate with discretion in a complex, matrixed environment.

The Administrative & Executive Support Manager will exhibit exceptional judgment, skills, a high level of discretion, and the ability to proactively anticipate the needs of the COO and Executive Director. This person must thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and be equally comfortable handling detailed administrative work and coordinating high-level partnership initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support including calendar management, scheduling, travel arrangements, meeting preparation, and expense management.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for both internal and external inquiries & requests directed to the executive, exercising discretion in triaging, responding, or delegating appropriately.

• Track and manage deadlines, deliverables, and milestones for business development deals, partnership agreements, and executive-led projects to ensure timely follow-through, escalating risks or delays proactively.

• Coordinate meeting logistics, agendas, and documentation for strategic initiatives.

• Plan and host onsite meetings as requested, including coordination and management of all administrative and project coordination details.

• Partner closely with COO and Executive Director to monitor, manage, and advance business development deals, partnership opportunities, and high-impact initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong, professional and trusted relationships with internal leadership, external partners, and key stakeholders.

• Manage day-to-day office operations, including service delivery, meeting/space scheduling, catering coordination, supply management, and mail handling.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The opportunity offered by the Gates Institute is one of a kind. We blend the best of a large research organization of over 40,000 employees strong, with the family atmosphere of working with a team of 50+ highly dedicated people, operating on a top tier research campus – the University of Colorado Anschutz. The Gates Institute and its partners at CU Anschutz are delivering lifesaving therapies and working to develop more every day.  We are only limited by our resources and need you to make our journey a success!

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

• Four years of professional business administration or executive support experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in scheduling and office operations coordination.

• Experience providing administrative and operational support 1-2 Executive Level roles.

• Experience with university systems such as Concur, CU Marketplace and EMS.

• An advanced degree in business, business administration, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, or a directly related field.

• Experience working in healthcare, research, or academic medical centers.

Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• High level of critical thinking, problem solving, collaborative teamwork and the ability to work independently. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, under pressure and with a sense of urgency, to manage multiple concurrent tasks and responsibilities, and to deal with changing priorities, while maintaining personal effectiveness.

• Demonstrated high level of commitment to customer service.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other University personnel, and the public.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

• Business sense - has a strong business sense and can decipher priorities and make sound judgment calls when needed.

• Commitment to excellence - perform duties at the highest level possible on a consistent basis.

• Excellent communicator - able to interact with people of all levels in a confident, professional manner.

• Demonstrate ability and temperament to work with sensitive information.

• Team player - have team-oriented experience and approach.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.     Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.     Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Vanessa.McWhirt@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by March 27, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $72,617 - $92,369.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.