Executive Assistant

Executive Personal Assistant

San Diego, California, United States Operations

Protogon Research builds AI models with a deep understanding of the world, monetizing them through proprietary trading. Founded and led by serial entrepreneur Rafael Cosmanco-founder of Archblock and the TrueFi DeFi protocolProtogon is charting a path toward superintelligence.

Why Trading?

Focusing on trading provides several key advantages:

• Proprietary models and datasets This helps us avoid the race-to-the-bottom faced by many other AI companies.
• Fast innovation cycle Technological advancements directly translate into increased revenue, allowing us to rapidly test and implement improvements.
• Pure focus on AI development With no need for sales, marketing, or customer support, we can concentrate on building groundbreaking systems.
• True understanding, not imitation We create AI that deeply understands the world, rather than just replicating human behavior or generating superficial outputs.

We believe trading is a powerful testbed for developing highly intelligent AI systems, offering unique advantages over other approaches. Backed by top VCs, our highly technical team is on a mission to build the most transformative invention of the 21st century.

Unlike traditional quant funds, our goal isn't to focus on short-term profits but to build the long-term success of our AI technology. While we leverage AI for trading, everythingfrom our investors to our cultureis aligned with this vision of lasting impact. Moreover, we're not just another AI company layering a thin wrapper over existing technologies or burning through resources on models that add little value. Our work is original, proprietary, and defensible.

We are a small, dynamic team of seven based in San Diego, CA, and we are seeking a talented Executive Personal Assistant with experience serving as a trusted partner to senior executives and founders in fast-paced environments. This role will support the CEO across scheduling, travel, communications, operations, and day-to-day logistics, helping ensure both business and personal priorities run smoothly and efficiently. We work in-person and are looking for candidates based in or willing to relocate to the San Diego area.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The core focus of this role is optimizing every aspect of the CEO's schedule, travel, communications, and operations, so that he can focus on strategic priorities. You will be deeply embedded in the day-to-day life of the CEO, managing everything from business communications and office operations, to his professional and personal calendar and travel, taking projects off his plate wherever possible. The right candidate is someone who can juggle many tasks and projects without dropping a single ball.

• Own the CEO's calendar end-to-end: Proactively schedule, prioritize, and coordinate meetings with key stakeholders while optimizing for efficiency and accuracy. Maintain the calendar with 100% accuracy, ensuring every event includes the correct time, location, address, video/dial-in details, and all relevant context.
• Drive a high response-rate standard across all communication channels: Triage and respond to email, Slack, text, and other communications promptly, escalating priorities and converting requests into trackable follow-ups in Asana.
• Maintain Asana as the single source of truth: Capture every task, project, commitment, and follow-up in Asana and keep it meticulously up to date so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Manage business and personal travel: Book flights, hotels, transportation, and reservations; create clear, detailed itineraries; and coordinate logistics seamlessly while the CEO is on the go, making sure that every hour and every trip is optimized.
• Coordinate across the CEO's business and personal network: Liaise with internal teams, bookkeepers, CPAs, attorneys, property managers, consultants and other contacts to move as many tasks and projects off the CEO's plate as possible, with an emphasis on keeping his time focused on the highest strategic priorities.
• Support bookkeeping and financial coordination: Track receipts, budgets, invoices, and related follow-ups, collaborating with the CEO's personal and business bookkeeping teams as needed.
• Handle personal logistics and day-to-day errands: Provide hands-on support including packing for trips and other personal tasks as required.
• Assist with strategic and confidential projects: Support high-priority initiatives with discretion, sound judgment, and the highest level of confidentiality.

Who You Are

• Experienced Executive Assistant: 4+ years supporting founders or C-level executives in a startup or high-growth environment. You know the pace, the stakes, and what it takes.
• Perfectionist: Obsessively accurate and thorough, especially in scheduling, communications, and logistics. Small errors don't get past you; nothing slips through the cracks.
• Operationally Minded: You build structure, not just execute tasks. You spot inefficiencies and implement automations and repeatable processes to fix them.
• Anticipatory Thinker: You stay ahead of the CEO's needs, resolving potential issues before they surface.
• True Right-Hand Partner: You take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and know when to escalate. Trusted, not just task-oriented.
• Tech Proficient: Fluent in Google Calendar, Google Drive, Slack, Asana, and Notion. Quick to pick up new tools.
• Discreet and Trustworthy: Handles sensitive information with care and professionalism at all times.
• Licensed Driver: Valid driver's license required.

Nice to Have:

• Familiarity with AI tools and modern productivity platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, automation tools) to improve efficiency and reduce manual work.
• Experience building or documenting operational processes and SOPs in a fast-moving environment.
• Interest in technology, AI, or venture-backed startups genuine curiosity about the space is a plus.
• Prior exposure to financial coordination, bookkeeping workflows, or working alongside CPAs and finance teams.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Compensation: A competitive base salary.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, dental, and vision coverage designed to support you and your family's well-being.
• Financial & Wellness Support: 401(k), Commuter, FSA, and HSA programs, and additional benefits to support long-term stability.
• Flexible Time Off & Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation, sick leave, and company holidays, with flexibility to recharge when needed.

Additional Information

• Hours & Availability: This is a full-time, in-person role based in San Diego, generally MondayFriday during standard business hours. Given the nature of supporting a CEO, occasional flexibility outside normal hours may be needed for time-sensitive matters or travel coordination.
• This role requires current authorization to work in the United States; Protogon Research is not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.