The Commonwealth Fund was established in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good. Its founder, Anna M. Harkness, is among the first women to start a private foundation.
Today, the mission of the Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high-performing, equitable health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including people of color, people with low income, and those who are uninsured.
We take great pride in our team and strive to create a collegial, inclusive environment. We look for talented people with curious minds who are inspired by the Fund’s mission.
As a community of individuals seeking to improve health care policy and practice through evidence-based research, we encourage all our staff to contribute to this work, regardless of title or tenure. We consider diversity of experience and perspective essential to our success. And while we take our work seriously, we also like to spend time getting to know one another on a personal and social level, too.
Where We Work
The Commonwealth Fund has offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. Our headquarters are located in the historic home of the Harkness family, Harkness House, a landmark building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Recent renovations make our home office more accessible, inviting, and inclusive.
Our Washington, D.C., office, near the White House, is home to our Federal and State Health Policy, Medicaid, and Medicare program teams, as well as other staff.
As of July 2022, the Commonwealth Fund has a hybrid work policy that allows staff the flexibility to work from home while providing ample opportunities for valuable in-person collaboration and convening.
How We Recruit
The Commonwealth Fund values diversity, believing it to be an essential quality of an effective organization. As part of our commitment to becoming an antiracist organization, we seek to recruit and retain people from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
We continue to evaluate our recruiting and hiring practices to ensure we honor our commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Our Benefits
Commonwealth Fund employees receive competitive salaries and a generous benefit package designed to support their overall well-being. We also strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace in line with our values and goals. The Fund conducts annual benchmarking studies to ensure we continue to meet these goals.
Employee benefits include:
- Best-in-class health care plan with comprehensive medical, hospital, and prescription drug coverage, along with a health reimbursement account, provided at no cost to employees and their dependents; vision coverage provided at nominal cost
- 403(b) retirement plan featuring generous employer contributions that range from 11 percent to 20 percent of annual salary
- Retiree health benefits
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
- Generous time off to support employee work–life balance
- Flexible hybrid work policy, with staff eligible to work remotely up to three days per week
- Half-day summer Fridays
- Comprehensive parental leave policies, with up to 12 weeks’ salary continuance
- Generous matching gifts program for charitable donations
- Disability and life insurance coverage at no cost
- Employee assistance and referral programs
Open Positions:
Executive Assistant to the President
THE ORGANIZATION
The Commonwealth Fund — among the first private foundations started by a woman philanthropist, Anna M. Harkness — was established in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good. Today, the mission of The Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high-performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, greater equity, and increased efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, and people of color. The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries. The Commonwealth Fund has made a commitment to become an antiracist organization. That commitment extends not only to our research agenda, our grantmaking, and our communications, but also to all aspects of our internal operations.
OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
The Commonwealth Fund envisions a health care system that values and benefits all people equally — one that combats racism and pursues equity, in treatment and outcomes as well as in leadership and decision-making. We believe this requires an alliance of people and institutions across society working together to recognize and value the lived experience of all individuals; ensure the delivery of compassionate, affordable, quality health care; and strive for equitable outcomes for all.
We aspire to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in how we work. We place great value on the varied backgrounds and experiences our staff bring to our organization and encourage employees to bring their full selves to the workplace. We look for talented, nimble, empathetic, and supportive team players who are ready to roll up their sleeves, create impactful change, and celebrate accomplishments.
GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Executive Assistant to the President provides seasoned, high-level, and confidential operational and administrative support to the President’s office. The incumbent performs a variety of specialized and complex administrative duties to support the Executive Office and to help advance the mission of the Fund. Responsible for overseeing the activities and functions necessary for the efficient operations of the President’s office. Maintains close contact with executive management team staff and President’s team to facilitate information exchange, coordination, and smooth functioning of Fund priorities and to ensure that all objectives are met. Serves as the principal staff contact person for officials of other foundations, and leading public and private sector officials. In addition, maintains liaisons with all other functions of the Commonwealth Fund
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides high-level support and project management to advance the priorities of the Executive Office, incorporating comprehensive knowledge of the Fund’s operations, policies, and procedures.
- Leads and manages special projects and performs other tasks as required to meet Fund priorities and needs of the President.
- Manages internal and external projects in coordination with other departments and/or organizations on behalf of the President. Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies, and other organization with which the President works.
- Researches and prepares materials, policy briefings, talking points, speech drafts or presentations, and proposals on a variety of matters for key internal or external audiences.
- Schedules, prepares materials and notes, and ensures follow-up for various stakeholder meetings including staff, Board, or other meetings. Drafts and edits various documents including internal/external correspondence. Creates and maintains files, reviews drafts and finished documents for accuracy and grammar, including documents of a sensitive or confidential nature.
- Responsible for all support services for the President including managing a year-round schedule of internal and external meetings, arranging travel plans, fielding telephone calls, and maintaining accurate calendars and appointment schedules.
- Responsible for processing and filing/archiving President’s correspondence, speeches, publications, and financial reports; including opening, sorting, and prioritizing mail, and maintaining well-organized files; drafting routine correspondence.
- Expense Management: Reviews American Express statements for accuracy; processes president’s travel expenses for reimbursement by the Fund.
- Office Management and IT support and maintenance — Manages all aspects of the President’s office to ensure smooth operations and functionality; works with the Fund’s IT Director to ensure that all software is properly installed and smoothly functioning; master all necessary software.
The Fund’s philosophy on successful performance in the job includes the willingness on the part of all staff members to handle any assignment necessary to further the goals of the institution. This may include taking on responsibility for other program areas or departments if the need arises.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of five (5) years of high-level Executive Assistant experience preferred. Candidate must have strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite. Knowledge and familiarity with database and internet applications is essential. Must be detail-oriented with excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
This position requires an individual with a professional, mature, customer-oriented work philosophy, and a commitment to leaving all external and internal “customers” of this office with a sense of having been well served by an efficient, courteous, and conscientious team. They will also anticipate needs, think critically, and offer solutions to problems. Excellent interpersonal skills with experience providing administrative support with tact and diplomacy is an absolute must.
The ideal candidate will be a “self-starter”; will be able to independently work out the details of job, based on clearly stated responsibilities; will have initiative and creativity; and able to shoulder responsibility; will be self-reliant and assured.
This person will thrive being part of a vital team; enjoy working with people and being helpful; contain a strong sense of integrity, maturity, and good judgment; discretion in handling sensitive information and issues and maintaining confidentiality. They will be a cheerful presence in the office, portray an optimistic demeanor, and have a “can-do” attitude .
LOCATION
This position will be based out of our New York City office.
SALARY AND HOW TO APPLY
Minimum starting salary: $92,480.
Please apply using this link: Executive Assistant to the President.
Employment at The Commonwealth Fund is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, medical condition, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
Administrative Assistant
THE ORGANIZATION
The Commonwealth Fund — among the first private foundations started by a woman philanthropist, Anna M. Harkness — was established in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good. Today, the mission of The Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high-performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, greater equity, and increased efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, and people of color. The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries. The Commonwealth Fund has made a commitment to become an antiracist organization. That commitment extends not only to our research agenda, our grantmaking, and our communications, but also to all aspects of our internal operations.
OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
The Commonwealth Fund envisions a health care system that values and benefits all people equally — one that combats racism and pursues equity, in treatment and outcomes as well as in leadership and decision-making. We believe this requires an alliance of people and institutions across society working together to recognize and value the lived experience of all individuals; ensure the delivery of compassionate, affordable, quality health care; and strive for equitable outcomes for all.
We aspire to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in how we work. We place great value on the varied backgrounds and experiences our staff bring to our organization and encourage employees to bring their full selves to the workplace. We look for talented, nimble, empathetic, and supportive team players who are ready to roll up their sleeves, create impactful change, and celebrate accomplishments.
GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Fund’s Vice President, Administration, the Administrative Assistant provides high-quality, confidential operational and administrative support and reports directly to the VP Administration. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides quality administrative assistant support to the VP, Administration which includes:
- Scheduling appointments, telephone, and travel; managing a year-round schedule of internal and external meetings, arranging travel plans, fielding telephone calls, maintaining accurate calendars and appointment schedules, and anticipating and coordinating all briefing materials for VP.
- Documents and correspondence management — responsible for understanding and managing a large flow of documents within the HR and Administrative department.
- Budgeting and expense reconciliation; reconciles VP’s Amex expenses; provides administrative support to the VP with the annual budgeting process.
- Assists HR Specialist with full cycle HR responsibilities including recruitment efforts, onboarding, and terminations.
- Supports the HR team with administrative responsibilities including maintaining HR files for active and inactive employees; supporting the annual performance appraisal process; assisting with preparation for meetings, and providing support for annual audits, planning, and assisting with other special projects.
- Tracks and manages professional development, staff training and opportunities.
- Supports HR and VP, Administration with Open Enrollment, handling scheduling, enrollment collection and employee reminders.
- Provides coverage and support for the HR Specialist, Manager, Office and Building Services, and office of the COO, as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of two (2) years related experience. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
- Commitment to the Fund’s mission and vision.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Self-motivated and highly organized professional with excellent project management skills.
- Effective communicator who can build trusted relationships and work effectively with individuals at all levels from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Works independently as well as collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Functions well with minimal supervision and delivers quality outcomes under pressure and deadlines.
- Intellectually curious, finding solutions through internet research, and applies learnings to work.
- Self-aware professional who conveys a reliably calm demeanor, handling confidential information with discretion and sound judgement.
- Strong technology skills; able to quickly learn and operate various software, apps, and programs. Must have strong Microsoft Office skills. An elevated level of competence with PowerPoint and Excel is essential.
- A talent for providing outstanding customer service and a good sense of humor.
- Strong communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
The Fund has a relatively small staff, and judgment, integrity, and the ability to listen with sensitivity to others are traits that are particularly important in an organization of the Fund’s size, where teamwork is essential to effectiveness. The ability to work collegially with a variety of Fund staff and interest in and strong commitment to the Fund’s mission is an essential qualification.
LOCATION
This position will be based out of our New York City office. This position will be expected to work on location Monday through Thursday and remotely on Friday.
SALARY AND HOW TO APPLY
Minimum starting salary: $55,000.
Please apply using this link: Administrative Assistant.
Employment at The Commonwealth Fund is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, medical condition, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.