Executive assistant

Your exact duties will depend on your role and responsibilities.

For example, as an executive assistant you could:

• manage projects, working closely with other teams and departments
•  organise complex diaries and use your judgement to prioritise tasks
•  research and summarise information for senior management teams
•  assist with decision-making processes
•  plan and co-ordinate board meetings, company events and travel
•  handle sensitive information in line with company policies
•  act as a contact for internal and external clients and manage those relationships

As a personal assistant, you would:

• respond to enquiries by phone, email and in person
•  set up meetings and make appointments
•  take notes at meetings, and draft letters, memos and emails
•  prepare documents, reports and presentations for managers
•  help to organise events, such as conferences
•  update files, records and contact lists
•  manage travel arrangements, and book transport and accommodation
•  supervise and mentor admin staff

• business management skills 
• administration skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working your way into the role
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

With experience, you could work for a more senior manager or move to a larger organisation. You might also become a senior executive, with greater responsibility in business operations.

If you have specific industry knowledge like legal, medical or financial expertise, you could take on specialist executive assistant roles or become a company secretary.