Executive Assistant

Sanofi; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanofi is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Global Head of Strategy & Operations in Cambridge, MA. The role demands proactive, highly organized, discreet support for a fast-paced, global leadership team across multiple TAs including immunology, oncology, neurology, and rare diseases.

The position requires 3+ years of EA experience at VP level, strong MS 365 skills, and the ability to navigate cross-functional, time-zone-spanning priorities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant or Senior Administrative Assistant supporting VP-level or above leaders in pharma/biotech or large multinational environment.
• High school diploma; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience supporting fast-paced, high-complexity functions such as strategy, corporate development, or commercial.
• Experience coordinating across global time zones and interfacing with senior executive stakeholders.
• Exposure to pharma or life sciences environments is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own and actively manage the Global Head’s complex calendar across multiple time zones.
• Coordinate and sequence meeting schedules for the broader team of direct reports.
• Prepare meeting agendas, pre-read materials, and briefing packs; track follow-up actions.
• Screen and triage inbound communications for the Head of Strategy & Operations and draft responses.
• Manage all domestic and international travel arrangements end-to-end.
• Prepare comprehensive trip briefings and process expense reports in line with policy.
• Organize high-stakes internal meetings and events, including ExCom prep and quarterly reviews.
• Serve as a liaison across distributed stakeholders and provide confidential communications.
• Support onboarding and team coordination for direct reports.

Skills

Calendar management

Travel coordination

Stakeholder management

Discretion

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Concur

SharePoint

Job description

About The Job

This is a high‑impact role embedded within one of the most strategically complex functions in our Specialty Care Global Business Unit. You will provide dedicated support to the Global Head of Strategy & Operations, a senior leader reporting directly to the Executive Vice President (EVP), Specialty Care and operating at N‑2 to the CEO with accountability across a number of Therapeutic Areas (TAs) including immunology & inflammation (I&I), oncology, neurology, and rare diseases. This role will also support a team of five Senior Director‑level direct reports spanning strategy, operations, and transformation.

Job Title: Executive Assistant

Location: Cambridge, MA

This is not a conventional administrative role. The function you are supporting runs the GBU’s long‑range strategy, portfolio prioritization, BD & L thought leadership, and integrated annual planning processes. The pace is fast, the stakeholder landscape is global, and the workload demands someone who is proactive, exceptionally organized, highly discreet, and comfortable operating in an environment where priorities shift quickly and precision matters.

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D‑driven, AI‑powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main Responsibilities

Executive & Calendar Management

• Own and actively manage the Global Head’s complex calendar across multiple time zones, ensuring scheduling reflects strategic priorities and protects high‑value focus time.
• Coordinate and sequence meeting schedules for the broader team of direct reports, resolving conflicts and sequencing interdependencies with judgment and discretion.
• Prepare meeting agendas, pre‑read materials, and briefing packs; track follow‑up actions and ensure owners are held accountable.
• Screen and triage inbound communications (email and messaging platforms) for the Head of Strategy & Operations, flagging any urgent items and drafting responses on behalf of the leader where appropriate.

Travel & Logistics

• Manage all domestic and international travel arrangements end‑to‑end including flights, hotels, ground transport, visas, itineraries – with flawless attention to detail and clear contingency planning.
• Prepare comprehensive trip briefings including stakeholder backgrounds, meeting objectives, and logistical details.
• Process and reconcile expense reports accurately and in a timely manner in line with company policy.

Meeting & Event Coordination

• Organize and coordinate high‑stakes internal meetings including GBU leadership team sessions, Executive Committee (ExCom) preparation meetings, quarterly business reviews, and cross‑functional strategy forums.
• Manage all logistics for off‑sites, workshops, and team events – venue sourcing, catering, materials, AV, and participant coordination.
• Serve as a reliable point of coordination across a geographically distributed network of internal stakeholders, peer EAs, and external parties.

Communications & Stakeholder Liaison

• Act as a trusted point of contact on behalf of the Global Head, handling communications with professionalism and appropriate confidentiality.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with counterpart EAs and administrative teams across the enterprise, including those supporting ExCom members and global functional leaders.
• Support preparation of presentations and documents for senior forums, including formatting, proofreading, and version control.

Operations & Team Support

• Provide day‑to‑day operational support to the team of direct reports as appropriate – coordinating shared deadlines, managing shared resources, and supporting onboarding of new team members.
• Maintain team distribution lists, org charts, and SharePoint/intranet resources.
• Manage procurement and vendor coordination for team needs (subscriptions, supplies, external meeting logistics).
• Support budget tracking and purchase order processing in coordination with the finance business partner.

Confidentiality & Judgment

• Handle highly sensitive and commercially confidential information with absolute discretion – including materials related to portfolio decisions, BD & L activity, and talent matters.
• Exercise sound independent judgment in managing competing priorities and representing the office of the Global Head in day‑to‑day interactions.

About You

Experience & Background

• 3+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant or Senior Administrative Assistant supporting VP‑level or above leaders, ideally in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or large multinational professional environment.
• High school diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting fast‑paced, high‑complexity functions – strategy, corporate development, commercial, or similar is strongly preferred.
• Experience coordinating across global time zones and interfacing with senior executive‑level stakeholders.
• Exposure to pharma or life sciences environments is an advantage; genuine interest in the industry is expected.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional organizational skills with a disciplined approach to prioritization, follow‑through, and detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; polished and professional in all interactions.
• High proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint); familiarity with expense and travel platforms (e.g., Concur).
• Ability to work proactively and autonomously, anticipating needs before they arise rather than waiting to be directed.
• A calm, solutions‑oriented disposition under pressure with a team that needs to move fast, and the EA is expected to be a stabilizing force.
• Discretion and maturity in handling confidential information and navigating sensitive organizational dynamics.

Personal Attributes

• High emotional intelligence and the interpersonal dexterity to build trust quickly at all levels of seniority.
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and shifting priorities in a dynamic global environment.
• Genuinely invested in the success of the team, not just the mechanics of the role.
• Proactive mindset: you spot what needs doing and do it without being asked twice.

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future‑focused team.
• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
• Enjoy a thoughtful, well‑crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high‑quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender‑neutral parental leave.

Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.