Senior Executive Assistant (CEO)

Cytokinetics•South San Francisco, CA

21d•$165,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Executive Assistant (CEO) serves as a trusted partner to the CEO, ensuring the CEO’s time, relationships, and priorities reflect enterprise objectives. This role oversees complex scheduling, external engagements, internal communications, Board support, and the flow of highly confidential information, enabling the CEO to remain focused on the company’s highest-value priorities. The ideal candidate brings exceptional judgment, discretion, business acumen, and executive presence. This individual anticipates needs well in advance, operates with extraordinary autonomy, and proactively resolves issues across competing priorities and a broad network of internal and external stakeholders. Supporting the CEO is a highly visible and dynamic responsibility. Success in this role requires flexibility to respond to time-sensitive needs outside standard business hours, including occasionally early mornings, evenings, or weekends, as business and travel schedules require. The role is well suited to someone who understands and is energized by the pace, responsiveness, and commitment associated with supporting the CEO.

Requirements

15+ years of executive-level administrative experience supporting C-level executives, including direct CEO support in the biotech industry.
Demonstrated alignment with Cytokinetics’ values: Patients are our North Star, Science is in our Soul, We > Me, and Make It Happen.
Demonstrated experience engaging with Board members and senior external stakeholders, including investors, bankers, analysts, partners, and vendors.
Exceptional discretion and sound judgment in handling highly confidential, sensitive, and time-critical information.
Proven ability to operate with extraordinary autonomy, anticipate needs well in advance, make informed decisions when information is incomplete, and adapt quickly as priorities shift.
Strong business acumen and understanding of enterprise strategy, organizational structure, and executive priorities, with the ability to apply that context to prioritization and decision support.
Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of personalities and seniority levels.
Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through, with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes priorities, tight deadlines, and frequent changes.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, video conferencing tools, expense reporting systems, and contract or database applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a partner to the CEO using strong knowledge of the business strategy, organizational structure, and key priorities to align the CEO’s time and attention with enterprise objectives.
Strategically manage an intricate and rapidly changing calendar. Anticipate priorities weeks and months in advance, resolve conflicts, protect time for the highest-value work, and ensure the CEO is fully prepared for each engagement.
Own end-to-end planning for executive meetings, from scheduling and agenda development through pre-read preparation, participant readiness, logistics, and post-meeting follow-up. Support high-visibility meetings with senior executives, Board members, investors, partners, and other external stakeholders.
Orchestrate complex domestic and global travel, including multi-stop and frequently changing itineraries associated with Board meetings, investor events, conferences, and other high-level engagements. Anticipate preferences, manage real-time changes, and ensure seamless preparation and execution.
Manage CEO and Board-related expenses with accuracy, discretion, policy compliance, and audit readiness.
Coordinate Board of Directors meetings and related activities, including agendas, presentations, materials, travel, logistics, off-site planning, budget oversight, and follow-up, in close partnership with key internal stakeholders.
Ensure agendas, presentations, supporting materials, and communications are prepared, reviewed, and organized in advance of company meetings. Partner with presenters and business leaders to gather information, assist with content development as needed, coordinate deadlines, and prepare presenters through briefing materials, timelines, rehearsals, and meeting logistics.
Engage professionally with the Corporate Steering Committee (CSC), Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Board members, investors, bankers, research analysts, collaborators, physician investigators, patient advocacy organizations, vendors, and visitors. Exercise sound judgment and discretion in every interaction.
Oversee the review, routing, and execution of high-priority contracts and sensitive documents requiring CEO attention. Partner with Legal, Finance, and Purchasing to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, timely action, and alignment with company processes.
Foresee and resolve conflicts across executive priorities, calendar demands, sensitive matters, and external relationships. Escalate issues appropriately, develop practical solutions, and manage behind-the-scenes complexity to protect the CEO’s focus.
Lead confidential and time-sensitive special projects on behalf of the CEO, including research, data compilation, analysis, reports, and executive communications. Initiate next steps and drive work forward with minimal direction.
Continuously improve the operating effectiveness of the CEO’s office by establishing organized systems, strengthening workflows, maintaining accurate records and contact information, and partnering closely with other Executive Assistants and functional leaders.