An executive assistant (also known as an EA) helps high-level executives manage and maximise their time, by taking responsibility for planning and organisational tasks on their behalf. They are highly trusted individuals and provide essential support for their direct report.
Executive assistant duties
As a support role, the executive assistant job description typically involves administrative and organisational responsibilities. These include managing day-to-day tasks for a direct report, such as calendar management, logistical planning, filing and reporting, through to travel management.
Trust is an important dynamic between an EA and their direct report, so they should be excellent at multitasking and at handling sensitive information.
Executive assistant duties include:
- Filing and organising sensitive documents
- Reporting
- Taking and screening calls
- Managing calendars across international time zones
- Project coordination
- Booking meetings and events
- Coordinating point-to-point international travel needs
- Arranging visas
- Completing expense claims, currency requests and purchase orders
Executive assistant qualifications, skills and experience
The executive assistant job description is more reliant on soft skills, interpersonal abilities and relevant experience, rather than specific qualifications.
Soft skills needed for the role are as follows:
- Excellent organisational skills
- Good time management
- Attention to detail
- Skilled at multitasking
- Heightened decision-making skills and initiative
- Good communication skills
To effectively carry out essential executive assistant duties, professionals should have strong written and verbal English skills and would ideally have a western education.
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