Executive Assistant to CEO

Executive Assistant to the CEO
Seattle, WA
· Full Time
· Experienced

Arzeda is solving some of today's hardest and most meaningful problems, from food and nutrition to sustainable materials and homecare, by designing proteins that have the limitless potential to change everyone's daily life. Our team has developed a proven technology platform that merges computational protein design, machine learning, and synthetic biology tools to produce proteins, enzymes, and bio-based processes more efficiently than Mother Nature.

A deep tech, mission-driven company, we are passionate about our mission to design novel proteins and products that enhance our lives and protect our planet. At Arzeda, we value a strong desire to learn, innovate, and be continuously challenged.

We are seeking a seasoned, highly discreet Executive Assistant to the CEO to serve as a trusted partner and extension of the Office of the CEO
. You'll anticipate needs before they arise, protect the CEO's time for the highest-leverage priorities, and bring structure and rhythm to how the CEO works with the executive team, the Board of Directors, investors, and commercial partners around the world. This is a role for an experienced professional who exercises independent judgment, owns outcomes rather than tasks, and thrives when the pace is high and priorities shift quickly.

This is an onsite role based at Arzeda in Seattle, Washington. Nestled among the historic and artistic neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, and Queen Anne, you'll find the right balance of activities and relaxation. Whether you're indulging your inner foodie at one of many unique restaurants, drinking a craft beverage after a day at the beach, or enjoying a picturesque walk through the Sunday Market, you'll be proud to call Seattle your home.

• Own the CEO's calendar end to end, managing complex, frequently changing priorities across multiple time zones; protect time for strategic work and make sound trade-off decisions on competing requests.
• Organize and schedule Board of Directors meeting including quarterly Board meetings and select 1-1 meetings. Ensure pre-reads are distributed on schedule.
• Manage Board, committees, and investor meeting logistics, in person and virtual, and track resulting action items through to completion in close coordination with CFO.
• Plan, schedule and manage Executive Leadership Team's (ELT) operating rhythm, including weekly staff meetings, offsites, agendas, decision logs, and follow-through on commitments.
• Act as a proactive gatekeeper: triage the CEO's inbox and incoming requests, route issues to the right owner, and escalatge what needs the CEO's attention with context and a recommended path.
• Prepare the CEO for every meeting with concise briefing materials, background, and objectives; draft and edit correspondence and presentations on the CEO's behalf.
• Plan and manage complex domestic and international travel for CEO and ELT members, including itineraries, visas, contingency plans, and real-time changes.
• Handle highly confidential matters — Board, financing, partnership, and personnel — with complete discretion.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and Arzedians, Board members, investors, partners, and other external stakeholders, representing the Office of the CEO with professionalism and warmth.
• Lead special projects and continuously improve how the Office of the CEO operates, including adopting digital and AI tools that create leverage.
• Process expenses and manage related vendors and administrative needs for the Office of the CEO.

• 10+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant, including a minimum of 5 years directly supporting a CEO.
• Demonstrated experience supporting a Board of Directors, including meeting…