Paralegal - Executive Assistant

About Ascend Advanced Therapies Group

Ascend Advanced Therapies Group is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) supporting the development and commercial manufacturing of gene therapies, viral vectors, and vaccines. Following the 2024 acquisition of ABL Inc., Ascend operates GMP manufacturing sites in Rockville, Maryland; Alachua, Florida; the United Kingdom; and Munich, Germany, partnering with biopharmaceutical innovators to help bring life-changing therapies to patients around the world.

Position Summary

The Paralegal-Executive Assistant reports directly to the CEO. This role combines legal support with high-level administrative duties. It includes assisting our legal team with legal research, drafting documents, coordinating legal files, and other paralegal duties under the direction of the Sr. VP & General Counsel. In parallel, the role is responsible for providing direct support to the CEO and C-Suite with meeting planning and material preparation, travel arrangements, calendar management, minutes recording, events organization, and presentations.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• In coordination with and under the supervision of the Sr. VP & General Counsel, perform highly skilled, complex, responsible, and confidential paralegal duties; perform day-to-day paralegal support for the Sr. VP & General Counsel and other legal team members as assigned. Tasks include but are not limited to the following:
• Prepare, review, assemble, and organize documents and exhibits for administrative, legal proceedings, and filings;
• Draft responses, manage discovery requests, organize documents and required notices, collect and maintain legal forms, and prepare and assemble documents and other items for meetings, hearings, and training.
• Assist with the preparation of bid documents, contracts, and other related documents; conduct research related to legal status and license of contractors and vendors; review and process contracts.
• Comply with legal requirements governing attorney-client communications; and maintain confidentiality of all communications and information received from clients in the course of providing legal services.
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the CEO and C-Suite. Tasks include but are not limited to the following:
• Calendar management, coordinate meetings and events across time zones.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel, including logistics and itineraries.
• Assist with special projects by coordinating resources and tracking progress.
• Prepare agendas, presentations, briefing materials, and reports.
• Anticipate executive needs and proactively resolve issues.
• Participate in meetings and capture notes, key decisions and action items; and distribute appropriately.
• Handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion

Required Qualifications & Skillset

• High School Diploma and Paralegal Certificate with a minimum of 10 years of experience as a paralegal/legal assistant and administrative/executive assistant.
• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience as a paralegal/legal assistant and administrative/executive assistant is preferred.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact with executives, board members, and vendors.
• Proficiency with MS Office to create documents, presentation slides, and spreadsheets.
• Excellent time-management skills to optimize executive productivity.
• Ability to demonstrate reliability and confidentiality.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Executive presence and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience as a paralegal/legal assistant and administrative/executive assistant.