Executive Assistant Business Development

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos and are undergoing a fundamental strategic transition. With the planned wind-down of our CAR‑T business by year-end, the company will evolve into a lean, transaction‑focused biotech centered around a core leadership team based mainly in US/Chicago/San Francisco and supported by approximately €3 billion in capital. The future organization will be built around high‑calibre, strategically aligned individuals capable of deploying this capital to secure transformative, late‑stage assets primarily in immunology and oncology.

We are looking for a proactive and hands‑on Executive Assistant Business Development to support a small, high‑energy BD team in managing day‑to‑day activities and ensuring the smooth operation of our new Bay Area office. The ideal candidate is highly organized, resourceful, and thrives in a fast‑paced biotech environment. This role requires experience with SAP, as you will be responsible for overseeing the contract‑to‑pay process—from contract creation to invoicing—for the BD team.

Strong communication skills are essential, as you will frequently liaise with assistants from potential target companies to schedule meetings and coordinate interactions. The role also demands the utmost confidentiality, given the sensitive nature of the information you will handle. While this is primarily an administrative position, there are opportunities to learn about business development and the biotechnology industry, making it a great fit for someone eager to grow their expertise in BD.

We are looking for an individual to start as soon as possible – initially hybrid in our temporary office, but we are in process of finding and establishing a permanent office in the Bay Area and expect all Bay Area team members to be on‑site most days of the week, which would be a coordinated set of days, communicated in advance.

Annual salary ranges from $110-155K. In addition, bonus and a comprehensive set of benefits are available for full‑time employees.

• Provide high‑quality administrative support, including calendar management, meeting scheduling, and logistical coordination, including travel and expenses.
• Assist with complex scheduling tasks involving stakeholders across multiple time zones and geographies.
• Oversee the contract‑to‑pay process in SAP, ensuring contracts are executed accurately and invoices are processed efficiently.
• Prepare, format, and distribute presentations, reports, and briefing materials on behalf of executive leadership.
• Initiate and manage the flow of Confidential Disclosure Agreement execution externally and internally.
• Play a key role in establishing and operationalizing the new Bay Area office, supporting lease execution, vendor onboarding, and facilities coordination.
• Coordinate contracts and service agreements for office infrastructure (e.g., facilities, utilities, security, maintenance, cleaning, supplies).
• Oversee day‑to‑day office operations, ensuring a professional, secure, and efficient working environment aligned with executive standards.
• Help prepare materials for meetings, team off‑sites, and strategic sessions.
• Coordinate special projects and operational tasks to support company growth and strategic goals.
• Uphold confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment when managing sensitive information.

• Bachelor's degree in business/finance/economics, life sciences, or related field is preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with relevant software applications such as SAP, Concur and Success Factors.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a professional and diplomatic demeanor.
• Self‑starter with the ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of a small team.
• Able to balance executive‑level administrative support with hands‑on office management responsibilities.
• Discrete, trustworthy, and capable of handling…