Current job title: Senior
Administrative Assistant
Industry: Biotechnology
Department: Development
Years worked in this industry: More
than 6
Years worked in this department: More
than 6
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I believe
my exceptional organizational and communication skills were an attribute.
I've since earned the CPS/CAP ratings from the IAAP and the CCAM rating from
ASMI.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 1 Senior Vice President, 3
Senior Directors, and a department of approximately 185 personnel.
Typical work hours: 8:30AM-5:30PM, M-F
Weekends or overtime hours: Yes, but
not very often.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): $35,000 - $65,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes. For
example, IVF is covered.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
A typical day on the job: Hectic.
Supporting such a large department, I am always kept on my toes.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: There are more than three, but
the most important to me is education/exposure. I have learned a lot
having worked here for the last 6+ years.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
Day-to-day administrative
operations:
Copying documents
Entering all departmental office supply orders
Accurately respond to email requests in a timely fashion
Faxing
accurately respond to fax requests in a timely fashion
receiving all confidential faxes from CA, PA, & MD facilities
Retrieving mail
Distribution of documents (interoffice and intradepartmental)
Coordinating candidate visits
creating schedule
scheduling/ordering lunch
reserving conference rooms
making flight/hotel arrangements
communicating information to candidate/internal participants
General filing
Laboratory Investigation Reports (OOS)
audit reports
Outside Communications Forms, etc.
Off-siting of inactive departmental records
Updating information in the Stability Protocol Database (Analytical
Biochemistry)
Created database which houses pertinent information about members of the
development department
Created an invoice log to track all incoming invoices
Created folder on Shared (E:\) drive which houses electronic versions of
departmental documents
Scheduling:
Departmental and individual meetings/luncheons
Managing Senior Vice President’s calendar
Updating calendars for Senior Management
Coordinating travel for Senior Management
Documents:
Assist in the preparation of departmental presentations
Created and documented guidelines for effective administrative support
Seating:
Negotiating space for new employees with the Facilities department
Updating Manuals:
All departmental manuals as documents are received from Quality Assurance.
Researching approved/obsolete documents by using Electronic Data
Management System (EDMS) system
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Exceptional organizational and communication skills (written and verbal);
an exceptional knowledge of MS Office Suite; a working knowledge of
computer technology.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Copier/scanner/fax, PC, phone.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Computer/Conferencing technology.
Critical soft skills: Communication and
organizational. In this fast paced atmosphere, it very important to be
able to communicate effectively with both external and internal
individuals. Likewise, it is very important to be as organized as
possible.
Pace of this position: Fast.
Geographical region: Northeast U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™