Administrative Specialist

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

General Description of the Job Class

Provide high-level executive administrative support to senior nursing leadership, including the Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Advanced Practice and Associate Directors. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems independently, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment. The ideal candidate is highly accountable, exercises critical thinking, communicates professionally, and takes initiative to ensure operational excellence while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Proactively manage complex executive calendars, appointments, travel, and meeting logistics for the Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Advanced Practice, and Associate Directors, anticipating scheduling conflicts and resolving them independently.
• Collaborate with executive support staff to coordinate multiple high-priority calendars, ensuring organizational priorities and strategic initiatives remain on track.
• Independently develop executive-level presentations, reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, and other materials that support informed decision-making.
• Create and maintain complex databases while ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
• Analyze, compile, and interpret data from multiple sources; identify trends and prepare concise summaries and reports with actionable insights.
• Compose, edit, and proofread executive correspondence and other professional communications with exceptional attention to detail.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between executive leadership and internal and external stakeholders, exercising discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Prepare meeting agendas, capture accurate minutes, and follow through on action items for Duke Cancer Institute Governance meetings and Oncology Patient Advisory Council meetings.
• Independently plan, coordinate, and execute the Advanced Practice Provider Lecture Series, ensuring seamless implementation and continuous improvement.
• Act as the primary resource for staff and visitors by responding to complex inquiries with professionalism, sound judgment, and excellent customer service.
• Prioritize requests, independently determine appropriate actions, and escalate issues when necessary.
• Analyze administrative processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend solutions that increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate conferences, executive meetings, and special events by anticipating logistical needs and managing all aspects of event execution.
• Assist with budget preparation, financial reconciliation, and expense monitoring by investigating discrepancies and ensuring timely resolution.
• Interpret organizational policies and departmental procedures, providing clear guidance to faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Independently lead and complete special projects while managing deadlines, communicating progress, and adapting to changing priorities.
• Create, maintain, and regularly update organizational charts and reporting structures.
• Manage quality initiatives in conjunction with leaders as needed by DCI initiative.
• Design, administer, analyze, and report findings from Qualtrics or other survey engines, making recommendations based on results.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to administrative staff, promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and mentoring new administrative team members as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental operations and strategic initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

High school education or equivalent with five years of administrative support experience of increasing variety, complexity and demonstration of work leadership. Two years postsecondary education with three years of experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Experience

Preferred skills 

• Proactively manage complex executive calendars, appointments, travel, and meeting logistics for the Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Advanced Practice, and Associate Directors, anticipating scheduling conflicts and resolving them independently. Anticipate leadership needs and proactively address issues before they become problems.
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for assignments from start to finish.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel (including formulas, pivot tables, charts, and data analysis), Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for collaboration, virtual meeting management, file sharing, communication, and presentation support.
• Think critically, analyze information, and recommend practical solutions. Prioritize competing demands with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Anticipate leadership needs and proactively address issues before they become problems.
• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for assignments from start to finish.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel (including formulas, pivot tables, charts, and data analysis), Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for collaboration, virtual meeting management, file sharing, communication, and presentation support.
• Think critically, analyze information, and recommend practical solutions. Prioritize competing demands with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Build strong collaborative relationships and communicate effectively with individuals at all organizational levels.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities while maintaining a high level of customer service and attention to detail.