Executive Assistant to CHRO

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA‑targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

The Executive Assistant will provide administrative and operational support to the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer (EVP, CHRO). This role is critical to the smooth, efficient, and professional operation of the HR function. Key responsibilities include preparing and organizing executive‑level materials; driving and coordinating CHRO special projects and initiatives (including tracking milestones, preparing materials, and monitoring progress against timelines);

managing a complex calendar; coordinating HR meetings and events; supporting departmental communications; providing general administrative support; and serving as the primary backup for reception.

This position is required to be on‑site five days per week, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, at our headquarters campus in Carlsbad, CA.

The ideal candidate is an experienced administrative professional who has supported senior leadership in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment. They are exceedingly well organized, exercise sound judgment and discretion, anticipate needs, and proactively bring together people, information and resources to address issues. This individual will handle highly confidential information with the utmost professionalism and integrity.

• Manage a complex, dynamic calendar for the EVP, CHRO, including scheduling and prioritizing internal and external meetings, travel, and key HR planning cycles across multiple time zones.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, including itineraries, logistics, and changes as needed; ensure travel aligns with company policies.
• Prepare, proofread and format executive‑level materials such as presentations, reports, speaking notes, and communications for internal and external audiences.
• Flag and prioritize issues, draft responses when appropriate, and ensure timely follow‑up on action items.
• Protect the confidentiality of sensitive HR information and executive discussions, including personnel matters, compensation, organizational changes and other proprietary information.
• Drive and coordinate CHRO special projects and strategic initiatives (e.g., organizational design efforts, leadership meetings, culture and engagement programs) by tracking milestones, preparing materials, and monitoring progress against timelines.
• Support the CHRO with HR and people‑related analytics by gathering data, compiling summaries and dashboards, and formatting insights for…