Associate Chief of Staff

n-Lorem Foundation; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

403(b)

Paid vacation (4 weeks)

Paid sick time

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

n-Lorem Foundation is seeking an Associate Chief of Staff to partner with the Chief Operating Officer. The role focuses on disciplined execution, priority tracking, and cross-functional coordination to advance strategic objectives.

This position is hybrid in Sorrento Valley, CA and reports to the COO. The successful candidate will bring strong project management, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate needs while coordinating across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in business, life sciences, public health, or related field preferred.
• Strong organizational, project management, time management, and communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate across cross-functional teams and drive execution.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain an active tracking system for the COO's commitments and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate cross-functional priorities and ensure timely execution across teams.
• Prepare agendas, summaries, and leadership materials for meetings and updates.
• Provide administrative support and travel coordination as needed.
• Maintain documentation and ensure confidentiality in handling leadership information.

Job description

Position Title: Associate Chief of Staff (Cover Letter Required)

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Hours: Full-Time

Location: Hybrid in Sorrento Valley, CA

Compensation: $110,000 - $135,000

(Compensation may vary based on related skills and relevant experience)

n-Lorem Foundation

n-Lorem is non-profit foundation established in January 2020 to discover, develop, and provide personalized experimental antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatments for free, for life to patients with the rarest of mutations (nano-rare). As a functional biotechnology organization, we have a large and growing portfolio of ASO discovery and develop programs for patients in need as well as over 40 patients on treatment today with medicines already authorized by the FDA.

With a seasoned leadership team and strategic partnerships, the n-Lorem Foundation provides the framework, funds and access for nano-rare patients who are amenable to our technology to receive personalized ASO medicines for free, for life. We hope that you will consider joining us as we strive to change the world, one nano-rare patient at a time.

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive biotechnology professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys helping leaders and teams operate more effectively. The ideal candidate brings strong operational discipline, excellent organizational and communication skills, a project manager mindset and a natural ability to anticipate needs, coordinate across teams, and drive execution.

This role is well suited for someone who is energized by problem solving, motivated by purpose and impact, and who wants to contribute to a team united by the belief that we can change the world—one patient and one family at a time.

Job Overview

n-Lorem is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented individual to join our team as Associate Chief of Staff, partnering directly with the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This role will primarily support the COO in advancing individual and organizational priorities through disciplined execution, effective coordination, and proactive follow-through. The Associate Chief of Staff will help translate strategic objectives and leadership commitments into actionable plans, maintain visibility into priorities and progress, and ensure that key initiatives continue to move forward.

The Associate Chief of Staff will also help the COO stay ahead of ongoing management responsibilities, including performance appraisals, employee development activities, and other leadership-related commitments. In addition, this individual will work closely with Development leadership and cross-functional partners to coordinate priorities, facilitate communication, and support execution across the organization.

The successful candidate will bring a strong project management mindset, exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs and identify potential challenges before they become obstacles. This role requires flexibility and a willingness to contribute across a range of responsibilities, including administrative coordination, operational execution, communications, and special projects.

This individual will be a partner to the COO in staying one step ahead—tracking priorities, preparing materials for leadership discussions, coordinating cross-functional workstreams, and ensuring commitments translate into action.

The ideal candidate will help create clarity, maintain momentum across the COO’s strategic objectives and organizational priorities, and ensure that key operational activities are progressing efficiently.

No two days will be the same. Flexibility, responsiveness, discretion, and a strong sense of ownership will be essential to success in this role and as an important member of our fast-paced and growing team.

Key Responsibilities

COO Priorities and Execution:

• Create and maintain an active, prioritized tracking system for the COO’s commitments, deliverables, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure timely follow-through and completion of actions arising from the COO’s individual priorities, internal and external meetings, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Support the advancement of strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, and leadership commitments.
• Proactively monitor progress, anticipate upcoming needs, and identify potential bottlenecks, competing priorities, or capacity constraints.
• Escalate issues and recommend practical solutions to maintain progress and ensure timely execution.

Leadership and Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Coordinate priorities and follow-through across the COO’s key leadership partners to support alignment, accountability, and timely execution.
• Build and foster effective working relationships with cross-functional leaders to facilitate communication, alignment, and completion of agreed-upon actions.
• Help establish and maintain effective operating rhythms, including leadership meetings, cross-functional updates, and ongoing priority reviews.
• Support coordination of Development team priorities and facilitate communication across relevant functions.
• Maintain visibility into key initiatives, deliverables, and dependencies to help ensure that work progresses effectively across teams.

Management and Team Support:

• Support the COO in managing ongoing leadership and people-management responsibilities, including tracking performance appraisal timelines, employee development activities, and other management-related deliverables.
• Proactively anticipate upcoming management needs and ensure that key activities, deadlines, and follow-up actions are organized and completed in a timely manner.
• Assist with preparation for performance appraisals, goal-setting discussions, and other employee management activities, including coordination of materials, timelines, and follow-up actions.
• Maintain appropriate tracking and documentation of management activities, exercising sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee information.

Leadership Materials and Communications:

• Prepare agendas, summaries, presentations, briefing materials, and follow-up documentation for leadership meetings and key internal discussions, as needed.
• Support the preparation of executive updates, board materials, and internal and external presentations or meetings, as needed.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and actionable communications.
• Ensure that meeting outcomes, decisions, and commitments are appropriately documented and communicated.

Operational Effectiveness:

• Proactively identify and monitor operational inefficiencies, gaps, and opportunities for improvement; recommend solutions and work collaboratively with relevant team members to implement and refine processes, tools, templates, and tracking systems that enhance organizational efficiency, clarity, and accountability.
• Maintain strong documentation, communication, and organizational practices to support institutional knowledge, transparency, and continuity across initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve how priorities are tracked, information is communicated, and cross-functional work is coordinated.

Administrative Support:

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the COO, including meeting coordination, preparation, and follow-up.
• Assist with communications and other activities, including support for internal and external meetings and Executive Committee activities.
• Provide flexible support across a range of operational and administrative needs as priorities evolve.
• Travel as needed in support of the COO or n-Lorem Executive Committee.

Requirements:

• U.S. work authorization without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in business, life sciences, public health, or a related field preferred.
• 3–6 years of experience in operations, program management, project management, administration, or a related role in biotechnology, healthcare, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• High level of professionalism, judgment, and discretion when working with leadership and confidential information.
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify potential challenges, and proactively drive follow-through.
• Flexibility and willingness to contribute across a range of operational, administrative, and project-related responsibilities.
• Willingness to travel in support of the COO or n-Lorem Executive Committee.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and operational tracking tools.

n-Lorem offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 403(b), four weeks paid vacation, paid sick time, life insurance

n-Lorem offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 403(b), four weeks paid vacation, paid sick time, life insurance, employee assistance program. n-Lorem is a small foundation with an extraordinary mission, to provide hope and potentially help to nano-rare patients. Every employee in our organization is a significant contributor to this mission. We know that our work could have a profound impact on the life of a patient today.

n-Lorem is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. n-Lorem is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know.

For more information on n-Lorem, please visit our website www.nlorem.org