How to apply for Executive Assistant to the CEO

About Myrias

Myrias is a unique venture builder dedicated to animal welfare, combining entrepreneurial drive with a mission to reduce farmed animal suffering. Working here means being at the forefront of creating impactful ventures and investments that align with a compassionate cause, offering a rare opportunity to blend business acumen with meaningful social impact.

About the role

As the Executive Assistant to the CEO, you'll be the right hand to a founder-CEO, managing the operational heartbeat of the venture studio. Your work will directly enable strategic decisions, board coordination, and stakeholder relationships, making you integral to the success of Myrias and its affiliated ventures. This role offers a unique vantage point into venture building and animal welfare investing, with significant growth potential.

A typical day

A typical day might start by reviewing the CEO's calendar and preparing for upcoming meetings, then coordinating with internal teams and external partners on venture projects. You might draft communications, compile briefing documents for board meetings, and manage follow-ups on investment decisions. The afternoon could involve research on potential ventures or stakeholders, and end with updating systems and ensuring the CEO is prepared for the next day's priorities.

Who Myrias is looking for

• Early-career professional with a genuine passion for farmed animal welfare, evidenced by volunteer work, coursework, or personal projects.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a proven ability to manage complex schedules, communications, and multiple priorities with discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with board members, investors, and partners.
• Chinese fluency (preferred) to support potential international collaborations and stakeholder engagement.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, remote startup environment and is comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change.

Tips for this application

• In your resume and cover letter, explicitly highlight any experience or demonstrated interest in animal welfare, such as volunteering at sanctuaries, coursework in animal ethics, or advocacy work.
• Showcase your organizational and discretion skills with concrete examples, like managing a complex calendar for a busy executive or handling confidential information.
• If you have Chinese language skills, be sure to mention your proficiency level and any relevant experience using Chinese in a professional context.
• Tailor your application to emphasize your ability to support a founder-CEO in a venture studio setting, including comfort with investment terminology and board materials.
• Since the role is remote, highlight your ability to work independently and manage time effectively across time zones, and mention any remote work experience.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Express your deep motivation for animal welfare and why Myrias's venture builder model resonates with you.", "Detail your relevant administrative and organizational skills, providing specific examples of how you've supported leadership in a fast-paced environment.", "Emphasize your discretion and ability to handle sensitive information, as you'll be privy to board and investment discussions.", 'Mention your eagerness to learn and grow within the role, and your commitment to the initial one-year commitment with potential for evolution.']

Research before applying

• Explore Myrias's website (myrias.org) to understand their current ventures, investment focus, and team background.
• Read about the founder-CEO's background and any public talks or articles to understand their leadership style and priorities.
• Research the broader field of animal welfare investing, including key players and recent trends, to speak knowledgeably in interviews.
• Look into the specific ventures Myrias has built or invested in to understand their approach and impact.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Why are you passionate about farmed animal welfare, and how have you demonstrated this commitment?
• Describe a time you had to manage multiple competing priorities for a senior leader. How did you ensure nothing fell through the cracks?
• How would you handle a situation where you need to coordinate a board meeting with busy stakeholders across different time zones?
• What do you know about venture building and impact investing, and how do you see this role contributing to Myrias's mission?
• How do you maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive information? Provide an example.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention animal welfare or why you're drawn to Myrias's mission.
• Overlooking the need to demonstrate discretion and trustworthiness, which are critical for this role.
• Failing to highlight your organizational and scheduling skills with concrete examples, or neglecting to mention Chinese fluency if you have it.