Job description

An Executive Assistant (EA) provides PA and secretarial support to the most senior executives within an organisation. You'll most likely have held a Personal Assistant job for a number of years, supporting less senior figures. Being an EA brings with it its own responsibilities as you are often an indispensable asset to key decision makers in the business, such as a Chairman, a Chief Executive or a Managing Director.

You'll be performing all the normal PA duties such as diary management, screening phone calls and arranging travel, though some of the duties you'd normally expect a PA to perform are often delegated to less senior members of staff - these include preparation of basic documents and opening post. You'll more than likely be too busy helping your boss with extensive project research, meeting and greeting important clients or organising their personal or charity commitments.

Integrity and discretion are valued commodities in the EA role as are quite a few years under your belt in a senior PA job, preferably in the same company but at least (usually) within the same industry. You are essentially representing the most senior figures in an organisation and as such need to be well presented, articulate and confident. A thorough knowledge of the company structure, ethos and function is essential.

This can be a long term career option as many Chairmen/CEOs often keep the same EA for many years and quite often request that you switch companies should they gain employment elsewhere.

In terms of working hours, you'll really be expected to shadow your boss's working day and quite often you will have late nights when those urgent projects arise. On the up-side, you may get to experience some foreign engagements and on some occasions, we've heard of EAs taking their seat in the Chairman's private jet, so it's not all bad news!!

Regarding qualifications, if you've got a fair few years' senior PA experience under your belt, you'll be less likely to be quizzed about such matters. However, if you're a budding EA and are currently in a PA role, it can't harm your chances if you arm yourself with the industry standards such as those offered by Pitmans and OCR.

So, to sum up, as well as the normal PA/Senior Secretary skills you'd normally be expected to:

• Be articulate, polite and assured
• Have a high level of discretion and confidentiality
• Be confident in yourself - you're dealing with high-up executives and sometimes VIPs
• Supervise other staff members as and when required
• Be confident - in your boss's absence, you are essentially the face of the business
• Have a sixth sense for what your boss is thinking!

Salary Information

The standard caveat applies here - it depends who you're working for and where in the country the job is. Outside of London you'd be looking at a minimum salary of £25000 but in London anywhere between £35000 and £45000 would be expected. We've seen salaries of more than £60000 plus perks on this site though admittedly these are few and far between and are generally City or Docklands based.

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