--- title: 'Sr. Executive Assistant - Contract to Hire at Kardigan' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-executive-assistant-contract-to-hire-kardigan-south-san-francisco-s62w5nabntfw' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-12' --- # Sr. Executive Assistant - Contract to Hire at Kardigan - **Company:** Kardigan - **Location:** South San Francisco, CA - **Compensation:** $138k–$180k - **Posted:** 2026-09-01 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan/jobs/5412252008 ## Job description ## About Us 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. Job Overview Kardigan is seeking an experienced, proactive, and detail-oriented Sr. Executive Assistant to support Executive Committee Members, onsite at our South San Francisco 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 a Sr. 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. Essential Duties and Responsibilities ## 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). - 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. Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location. Pay range $138,000—$180,000 USD ## About Kardigan ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Kardigan is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company developing targeted cardiovascular therapies with the aim of transforming treatment from symptom management toward functional cures. - **Entity Type**: Public (ticker not available from provided sources; IPO closed as per company announcement) - **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States (with additional offices in Princeton, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois) - **Founded**: Year not specified in available sources - **Founders**: Tassos Gianakakos (Co-Founder, CEO & Chair), Dr. Jay Edelberg (Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer), Dr. Bob McDowell (Co-Founder & Scientific Adviser), Brianne Puglisi (Co-Founder) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biopharmaceuticals – cardiovascular drug discovery and development - **Target customers**: B2B / B2G – healthcare providers, hospitals, payers, and patients; the company develops prescription medicines for serious cardiovascular conditions - **Mission or purpose statement**: “To make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world.” ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/)) ## Products & Services - **Tonlamarsen**: A Phase 2/3 candidate for acute severe hypertension (ASH) and uncontrolled hypertension. Positive Phase 2 data presented as a late-breaker at ACC.26 and simultaneously published in JACC. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/)) - **Danicamtiv**: A Phase 3 candidate for genetic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), targeting the underlying inherited cardiac muscle disease. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/)) - **Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis (CAVS) Program**: A late-stage clinical program addressing calcium deposition that stiffens the aortic valve. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/)) - **Prolaio Subsidiary**: An AI and real‑world data platform integrated into Kardigan to generate insights, inform clinical trial design, and reduce time/cost of drug development. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/about-us/)) - **Cardiac Intelligence Platform**: A discovery and translational research engine that uses real‑world patient data, AI, and deep cardiovascular expertise to identify disease drivers and design targeted therapies. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/)) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources - **Key Metric**: Public company (IPO closed); annual revenue not disclosed - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided sources; company built on the team’s track record from MyoKardia (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb for $13.1B in 2020) - **Growth Signals**: - Positive Phase 2 pivotal data for Tonlamarsen in hypertension, presented at ACC.26 and published in JACC - Three late‑stage clinical programs (CAVS, ASH, DCM) running in parallel - Active job postings across 210+ roles in clinical operations, data science, manufacturing, and corporate strategy, indicating scaling ([job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan)) - Integration of Prolaio’s AI platform to accelerate R&D ## Competitive Advantages - **Leadership expertise**: CEO Tassos Gianakakos previously scaled MyoKardia from startup to a $13.1B acquisition; the team includes veterans from MyoKardia, Sanofi, BMS, and Merck. - **Parallel pipeline strategy**: Multiple late‑stage programs targeting distinct cardiovascular diseases (valve, hypertension, cardiomyopathy) de‑risks development and creates data synergies. - **Cardiac Intelligence platform**: Proprietary combination of real‑world data, AI, and deep biological insight to move beyond symptom management toward modifying underlying disease. - **Focus on functional cures**: Each program aims to alter the course of disease rather than merely treat symptoms, creating potential for breakthrough efficacy. ## Strategic Focus - **Advance late‑stage clinical trials**: Continue Phase 2/3 studies for Tonlamarsen, Danicamtiv, and CAVS while preparing for potential regulatory submissions. - **Expand platform capabilities**: Leverage Prolaio’s AI and real‑world evidence to design smarter, faster trials and discover new drug targets. - **Build commercial infrastructure**: Growing corporate strategy, medical affairs, and manufacturing teams in South San Francisco, Princeton, and Chicago signals preparation for launch. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: “Everything we do starts with patients – and it’s powered by people.” Emphasis on collaboration, purpose‑driven work, and achieving the impossible together. Mission‑oriented environment focused on curing cardiovascular disease. ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/job-openings/)) - **Work model**: Roles are listed for South San Francisco, Princeton, NJ, and Chicago, IL; likely on‑site/hybrid given the lab and clinical development nature. Not purely remote. - **Benefits**: - Competitive salaries and annual bonus program - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage - 401(k) plan, life and disability insurance - Flexible spending and health savings accounts - Commuter benefits, cellphone allowance - Paid holidays and time off - Employee assistance program ([kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/job-openings/)) - **Engineering & data science culture**: Active recruitment for data analytics, AI, and clinical data science roles; Executive Director of Data, AI & Collaboration Services is an open position, reflecting a strong tech‑driven R&D approach. ## Sources 1. [kardigan.bio](https://www.kardigan.bio/) – Company homepage and pipeline descriptions 2. [kardigan.bio/about-us](https://www.kardigan.bio/about-us/) – About Us, mission, and Prolaio integration 3. [kardigan.bio/job-openings](https://www.kardigan.bio/job-openings/) – Careers page with benefits and open roles 4. [kardigan.bio/leadership](https://www.kardigan.bio/leadership/) – Leadership team and co‑founder backgrounds 5. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/kardigan) – Detailed job listings (32+ postings) ## Other roles at Kardigan - [Senior Director, Product Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-product-strategy-kardigan-princeton-new-jersey-zrx68wcapady) — Princeton New Jersey, United States - [Sr. Director, Clinical Trial Optimization](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-director-clinical-trial-optimization-kardigan-princeton-new-jersey-05t1jx6jawfw) — Princeton New Jersey, United States - [Director, Demand/Supply Planning](https://feeny.ai/job/director-demand-supply-planning-kardigan-south-san-francisco-jcz16k67hq5r) — South San Francisco, CA - [Scientist, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK)](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-drug-metabolism-and-pharmacokinetics-dmpk-kardigan-south-san-x3c0x3gmm3r7) — South San Francisco California, United States - [Director, Clinical Trial Liaison West](https://feeny.ai/job/director-clinical-trial-liaison-west-kardigan-united-states-t8xmqj8mg16m) — United States - [Senior Director, CMC Regulatory](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-cmc-regulatory-kardigan-princeton-new-jersey-74vt09gwp1cj) — Princeton New Jersey, United States - [Senior Director, CMC Regulatory](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-cmc-regulatory-kardigan-south-san-francisco-california-xjzf831d0r9n) — South San Francisco California, United States - [Head of Medical Affairs](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-medical-affairs-kardigan-princeton-rq45s28mr31y) — Princeton, NJ - [Director, Product Quality Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/director-product-quality-lead-kardigan-south-san-francisco-california-united-ft71es75vxe9) — South San Francisco California United States Princeton New Jersey, United States - [Director, GCP Inspection Readiness and Audits Strategy](https://feeny.ai/job/director-gcp-inspection-readiness-and-audits-strategy-kardigan-princeton-new-4wfzyb6yt6zs) — Princeton New Jersey, United States