Senior Executive Assistant

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.

It is Kardigan's mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.

Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan's co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.

We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.

At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals.

Driven by patients and their families , we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic —leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn , we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.

These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.

Position Title: Sr. Executive Assistant

Department: Corporate Strategy

Reports To: Chief Strategy Officer

Location: Evanston, IL (Hybrid)

Job Overview

Kardigan is seeking an experienced, proactive, and detail-oriented Executive Assistant to support the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and members of his leadership team onsite in our Evanston, IL office. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, juggles multiple priorities with ease, and anticipates the executive's needs - managing schedules (including meetings with external partners), communications, travel, and administrative functions with precision. This role goes beyond traditional executive support - it involves bringing positive energy to the office culture on the days the team is onsite, and partnering with EAs at other locations to help support administrative needs across the organization in a hybrid, multi-site environment.

As an Executive Assistant, you will help ensure the seamless functioning of executive operations while contributing to a collaborative and dynamic team culture. If you're someone who thrives in a multi-faceted role, enjoys taking on diverse challenges, and contributes to creating a positive and productive atmosphere, we want you on our team.

What You'll Do

• Executive Support : Provide comprehensive administrative support to the CSO, including proactive calendar management across two to three time zones, travel coordination (including airfare, hotels, ground transportation, and expense reports), meeting planning and logistics, upload contract requests and purchase orders, and management of correspondence and administrative priorities.

• Strategy Team Support : Coordinate with and assist the CSO's direct reports, including scheduling one-on-one and team meetings, organizing team events, ordering lunches, event catering and dinner reservations, and scheduling meet-and-greets/ onboarding meetings for new team members.

• Communication Management : Act as the primary contact for internal and external communications for the CSO, ensuring efficiency and discretion.

• Meeting Coordination : Schedule and organize meetings, presentations, and events, ensuring smooth execution.

• Relationship Management : Build positive relationships with stakeholders, acting as a liaison between the CSO and other departments.

• General Office Support : Handle site-related administrative needs, manage office tasks, including supplies, maintenance, and on-site issues.

• Office Culture : Contribute to a positive, collaborative office environment and support cultural initiatives.

• Flexible Support : Jump in to assist with tasks beyond EA responsibilities, contributing as needed.

Who You Are

• A Self-Starter: You're proactive, taking ownership of tasks and anticipating executive needs.

• Highly Organized: You excel at managing complex calendars, juggling priorities, and keeping everything running smoothly.

• Discreet & Trustworthy: You value confidentiality and maintain discretion in all aspects of your work.

• Detail-Oriented: You have a sharp eye for detail, ensuring consistent accuracy in everything you do.

• Clear Communicator: You communicate effectively and professionally with executives, teams, and external partners.

• Technologically Savvy: You're proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Outlook).

• Adaptable: You stay calm and focused, even when priorities shift or pressure rises.

• Team Player: You're eager to support the team's success, from assisting executives to contributing to company initiatives.

• Positive Energy: Your upbeat attitude helps foster a collaborative and positive office culture.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills

• 7+ years of experience in an executive assistant role, providing high-level support to senior leadership (C-suite executives preferred).

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software tools.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience in supporting executives in finance, technology, or similar industries is a plus.

• A proven track record of taking initiative and delivering results with minimal supervision.