Executive Assistant to the CSO

A Bit About Us:

We are Arcadia Science. Arcadia is a science company founded and led by scientists. Our mission is to transform evolutionary innovations into real-world solutions by openly developing more efficient, replicable, and sustainable ways to leverage the biology of diverse organisms. Scientists at Arcadia share as much of their research as possible to gather community feedback and accelerate scientific progress.

The Opportunity:

We have an Executive Assistant (EA) opening that will support the Chief Science Officer (CSO), Prachee Avasthi. The EA will act as a liaison, orchestrating outreach and managing internal and external engagements. The EA will also play a key role in steering special projects in tandem with the CSO, including communications and logistics for CSO driven initiatives. The EA will also lead office management for the company. This person should be resourceful and adept at creative problem-solving and thrive in a dynamic, results-focused start-up atmosphere. 

The ideal candidate will be a smart generalist who can learn on the fly. They are a quick responder with the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations. They should possess exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, with a focus on clarity, brevity and conveying relevant, actionable information. Strong organizational capabilities and the skill to effectively balance numerous priorities is a must. They should strive for efficiency in all they do, including automating workflows where possible. Effective early adoption of AI and other new technologies is a key part of all roles at Arcadia, and this position is no exception. Regular engagement with the CSO is a key part of this role, necessitating the ability to work well under pressure, managing a wide range of tasks and confidential issues with discretion. This is a high growth opportunity, with the potential to quickly expand in scope and strategic responsibilities. 

Responsibilities

• Approach all responsibilities with high integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
• Manage and prioritize a dynamic schedule at Arcadia and externally.
• Streamline and improve operational processes both for the CSO and as the primary office manager.
• Handle a variety of administrative and office management responsibilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Help keep the executive well-prepared and informed about upcoming commitments.
• Serve as a key coordinator, facilitating meetings and communication with others.
• Play an active role in researching and executing new strategic initiatives.
• Draft clear, professional emails and memos with meticulous attention to detail.
• Respond to external inquiries to the executive.
• Organize and oversee the executive’s engagement activities and travel arrangements.
• Flexible to adapt and take on new responsibilities as needed.

Education/Experience:

• 3+ years of administrative or operational experience in a start up.
• Ambitious, self starter. 

Compensation:

The expected salary range is $100,000-$140,000 per year with generous equity and benefits, depending on experience level. The position will require the individual to be on-site, 5 days per week at our Emeryville, California headquarters. 

Application Process:

Interested applicants should apply using the link below and include a CV, cover letter describing how they would be a bar-raiser at Arcadia, and answers to the application questions.  We will review applications on a rolling basis, and the job will remain open until the position is filled. Arcadia Science is an equal opportunity workplace; we welcome people from all backgrounds and communities. We provide competitive compensation and practical benefits to keep you happy and healthy so that you can do your best work. Please note that an offer of employment from Arcadia is contingent upon the successful clearance of a reference and background check.