Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer

Cambrian Biopharma is a diversified R&D platform company built on a new model for drug discovery. We partner with leading academic institutions and biotech entrepreneurs all over the world to build start-up companies, providing capital and expertise to advance a pipeline of drug development programs with a shared theme.

Cambrian is unique among biotech companies due to our focus on a specific field of scientific research: the basic biology of aging, also known as geroscience. Drugs that target the Nine Hallmarks of Aging can be exceptionally powerful medicines that could extend the healthiest years of life. Our approach is to build a pipeline that cultivates multiple assets and takes a risk-based approach to drug development, maximizing the odds that Cambrian will create multiple life-changing therapeutics that receive regulatory approval.

Position Overview

The Executive Assistant is responsible for providing multi-level, comprehensive support to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO is very hands-on and handles a myriad of projects and activities. The primary function of this role is to support the CEO, keep him organized and ensure his every need is met for him to carry out his job and lead the organization. Tasks will vary widely, from administrative support to leading special projects, from personal errands to mission-critical information gathering. Through regular communication and proactive decision-marking, the position is expected to understand the CEO's schedule and priorities and support him in maximizing his time and focus. The day-to-day responsibilities will include but not be limited to making travel and meeting arrangements, calendaring, interfacing with vendors, drafting correspondence, undertaking ad hoc research, and other duties as assigned. No task is out of scope if it’s in support of the CEO’s mission.

The ideal candidate will be a polished, smart, passionate, caring, and self-motivated Executive Assistant (EA). The right candidate will bring energy, integrity, accuracy, and discipline. An exceptional Executive Assistant will relish the challenge of hundreds of follow-ups and meetings to manage and get the details right every time. We are looking for someone who has done the job before and lives and breathes to make an Executive’s life friction-less. The person filling this role will have exposure to a diverse team working on interesting projects with prominent, inspiring people all over the world in a values-driven start-up culture.

 Responsibilities

• Manage CEOs calendar, billing and expenses, and communications. Monitor, organize, and prioritize incoming communications, as well as prompt CEO on high urgency items while allowing time for him to address these items in his schedule.
• Maintain continuous alignment with the CEO's aspirations, priorities, agenda, and messaging, and be able to represent the CEO internally and outside of the organization. Recommend and initiate changes to company and CEO processes and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage CEOs travel including researching and creating flight itineraries and accommodations, monitoring flight status in the event of delays, re-routing as needed in real-time, coordinating ground transportation, location research; back up planning; preparing visas or global entry documents.
• Provide light calendar management for COO.
• Review communications and information (e.g., emails, brochures, instructions, requests, etc) on behalf of the CEO. Proof and prepare correspondence, presentation templates, memos, invoices, reports and other documents
• Act as the lead on coordinating, planning, and executing outcomes-based meetings from start to finish. Prepare agendas, attendee bios, capturing minutes and following up on items, policies, and other documentation to maintain and update both internal and external communications clearly and efficiently. Attend meetings with the CEO, take notes, record minutes, and create and distribute action items
• Apply strong research experience to investigate a wide range of topics and provide relevant information/options.
• Oversee the Cambrian general inboxes, respond to questions or requests directly or liaise appropriate team member(s).
• Handle general office management tasks, such as securing space for visiting team members, organizing team events, ordering supplies, managing mail/documents, etc.
• Lead company-wide meeting organization and coordination as needed.
• Manage the execution of special projects and initiatives on behalf of the CEO as well as ad-hoc requests as they arise, sometimes of a personal nature.
• Support new office set up and ongoing office management for NYC office.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred from an accredited university or Associates degree with relevant experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in a high volume, fast paced, intense environment, at least 2 years supporting a C-level or other executive or entrepreneur with a preference towards candidate with exposure to investor relations
• Knowledge of the bio-tech, pharma or life science sector beneficial
• Start-up, biotech, or PE backed venture fund experience preferred
• Prior experience interfacing with Board Members and assisting w/Board meeting preparations helpful
• Proficient with calendaring in Google and Gmail, ability to schedule across time zones
• High degree of integrity and discretion in dealing with confidential matters
• Impeccable organizational, time management, multi-tasking, prioritization and logistics skills
• Exceptional accuracy and technical aptitude. Able to grasp new systems and tools quickly and apply them effectively
• Reliable, proactive, sense of urgency, strong work ethic and can-do attitude
• Strong EQ skills are critical; always leaving a strong positive impression from all interactions
• Ability to make complicated decisions independently when needed and delegate issues upward for support under tight deadlines
• Creative, flexible and resourceful - must be able to work independently and know when/how to ask for help
• Ability to stay calm, cool, and focused in stressful times and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Highly motivated, a “roll-up-your sleeves” attitude to work requirements, able to multi-task and meet rigorous timelines
• Excellent project management and prioritization skills including ability to handle multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment with constantly changing parameters.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills in a wide array of situational settings from C-level interaction to core team members
• A strong team player who supports the team and embraces ownership, accountability, and responsibility. High client service orientation and attitude
• Ability to give what it takes: demanding hours, with scheduling flexibility, with a start-up attitude of intense dedication

Cambrian Offers

• Opportunities to shape new and exciting science and build teams that bring novel therapeutics to patients in need
• Exposure to the biotech company life cycle and industry
• A dynamic, mission-driven, and entrepreneurial company culture
• Access to our network of international decision-makers and investors
• Competitive salary + equity
• 12 company holidays and an unlimited PTO policy
• Multiple health, vision, and dental insurance plans to choose from, including no-monthly-premium options supporting individuals and families through Justworks
• Ancillary benefits, including pre-tax commuter benefits, access to a HealthAdvocate, a healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and a reimbursed One Medical membership

Cambrian Biopharma is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.