Executive Assistant
Company: Palvella Therapeutics
Location: Wayne, PA
About Palvella:
At Palvella Therapeutics, we’re focused on building the leading therapeutic company focused on rare genetic skin diseases with no approved therapies. Our QTORIN™ platform addresses issues in the development of targeted topical treatments including achieving therapeutic drug concentrations and chemical stability, while minimizing systemic absorption of the drug. Applied topically rather than orally, QTORIN™ has the power to transform the current treatment landscape and transform lives.
We are driven by a mission to serve patients who have been left without options, focusing our efforts where the unmet need is greatest. Everything we do is anchored in advancing treatments that can meaningfully change lives where no solutions currently exist.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the CEO, the Executive Assistant is a highly organized, discreet, and proactive team member responsible for providing administrative support to the CEO and other C-level executives, including calendar management, meeting and event management, and travel planning.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage complex, fast-changing calendars; prioritize meetings and protect focus time.
- Coordinate meetings across the leadership team for executive meetings, offsites, etc.
- Prepare briefing packs, agendas, and materials ahead of key meetings.
- Draft, edit, and proofread correspondence, presentations, and reports on the CEO’s behalf.
- Plan domestic and international travel, including itineraries, visas, and accommodation.
- Manage expenses, invoices, and budgets for the executive office.
- As requested, lead or support special projects and process improvements for the executive office.
- As requested, take notes, record decisions, track follow-ups to closure, and prepare minutes.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with complete discretion.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- 5 years of Executive Assistant experience, with at least 3 years supporting a CEO or other C-level executive.
- Proven ability to manage multiple executives and competing priorities.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 and other common business platforms.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated discretion handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Ability to work outside of standard business hours.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting corporate boards and preparing board materials.
- Background in biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
- Experience working in high-growth small companies.
Core Competencies
- Discretion and integrity: Trusted with sensitive information about people, strategy, and finances.
- Proactivity: Anticipates needs and problems before they arise and acts without waiting to be asked.
- Judgment: Knows what to escalate, what to decide, and what to handle quietly.
- Organizational skill: Keeps many moving parts on track with close attention to detail.
- Composure: Stays calm, flexible, and solution-focused under pressure and shifting priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills: Establishes positive rapport and earns trust across the leadership team and the wider organization.
Additional Details
Flexibility to occasionally work outside of standard business hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends is required.
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Palvella is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
