Executive Assistant, Research and Development

Company Overview:

Protara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and rare diseases. Protara’s portfolio includes its lead candidate, TARA-002, an investigational cell-based therapy in development for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and lymphatic malformations (LMs). The Company is evaluating TARA-002 in an ongoing Phase 2 trial in NMIBC patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) who are unresponsive or naïve to treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), as well as a Phase 2 trial in pediatric patients with LMs. Additionally, Protara is developing IV Choline Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement for patients on parenteral support who are otherwise unable to meet their choline needs via oral or enteral routes.

Protara was named one of the Best Places to Work by BioSpace, a leading industry news and job source. This honor demonstrates the company’s desirability in the recruitment marketplace, looking at various merits with an emphasis on culture, career growth and development opportunities, leadership and innovation.  Attracting and retaining top talent is integral to building a successful company in biotech, and we are committed to ensuring Protara provides our employees with an exceptional experience throughout their careers, even as we continue to grow.

Job Overview:

Executive Assistant, Research and Development is a key member of the R&D team, and is responsible for all administrative coordination activities for the R&D organization.

This is a hybrid role, and this Colleague is expected to be in the NYC Office at least three days a week. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to the following (Other duties may/will be assigned):

• The Executive Assistant Research and Development will support Protara’s mission of advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and rare diseases.
• Act as a trusted partner to the Chief R&D Officer (CRDO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), with an ability to respond to immediate requests.
• Responsible for a broad array of administrative tasks for the R&D organization, including managing multiple complex calendars simultaneously, coordinating detailed international and domestic travel itineraries, reconciling expense reports, and managing communications confidentially.
• Successfully prioritize competing priorities as well as issues of concern and determine a sound course of action in resolution.
• Handle matters expeditiously, proactively, and with discretion.
• Complete tasks from start to finish independently, often under deadlines.
• Serve as a key member of the R&D Leadership Team, responsible for disseminating communications across the R&D organization and Protara as a whole, coordinating meetings, setting agendas, and recording and filing minutes.
• Optimize meetings management in an effort to decrease meeting redundancies.
• Proactively manage communication between CRDO, CMO, the Executive Leadership Team, CRDO direct reports, and cross-functionally across all levels of Protara.
• Collaborate seamlessly with Protara administrative team members; manage multiple highly complex calendars and coordinate meetings with internal and external shareholders with a high degree of efficiency and excellence.
• Responsible for meeting and event planning for R&D organizations, including live and virtual meetings, including but not limited to Protara Scientific Advisory Board Meetings and all other Protara company meetings.
• R&D conference Point of Contact – communicates and disseminates conference information to relevant R&D teams attending conferences including calendar invites for events occurring at conferences.
• Process contracts for R&D organizations including MSAs, CDAs, SOWs and agreements critical to meeting corporate goals for all Protara programs.
• Demonstrate the ability to work seamlessly and confidentially to expedite the contracting process with all internal Protara sub teams.
• Manage contracting process to completion by obtaining Docusign signatures to fully execute contracts and agreements.
• Update Chief R&D Officer and CMO’s contracting documentation and communicate to all functional area heads.
• Help create an environment of excellence, fun and teamwork for the R&D organization and Protara as a whole, fostering team spirit, team cohesiveness, and camaraderie.
• Be a living demonstration and role model of Protara corporate values and inspire all Protara employees to embody Protara corporate values.

Education and/or Experience:

• Must have at least 12+ years experience supporting C-level executives
• Experience in Life Sciences or Biotech industry strongly preferred
• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications:

• Proven ability to work independently; nimble, agile self-starter who takes initiative
• Excellent communication skills and strong ability and desire to work well with others
• High-energy, self-motivated individual a must
• A flexible, collaborative, and proactive team player who can positively and productively contribute to the working environment
• Top-tier organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously with high level attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to be entrusted with confidential information and handle with discretion
• Ability to perform under pressure juggling numerous competing demands daily
• Demonstrate the highest professional level of client service and responsiveness
• Demonstrated ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced changing environment

Computer Skills:

 Must be proficient in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

 This position requires a moderate amount of travel; average travel for this position is 25% with some variation based upon the demands of the business imperatives. Travel is for attendance at meetings and conferences.

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• No specific work demands

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  *Salary Requirements are between $134,000 - $138,000 based on experience and qualifications.  We offer a competitive Compensation & Benefits package including incentive bonus, equity compensation, matching 401(k), medical, dental, vision, commuter, and fertility benefits.

Why You’ll Love Working at Protara 

• Friendly, open, and fun team-oriented culture that values unique & diverse perspectives.
• Company-wide dedication to profoundly impacting patients’ lives.
• Amazing culture whereby our core values and behaviors are shared cross-functionally.
• Flexible working hours/schedule.
• Generous Paid Holidays and Unlimited PTO.

Protara is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. Protara is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed in policy and in practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, sex or gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.