Executive Assistant

Job Description

The Executive Assistant, reporting directly to the Director, offers tailored executive support and serves as the primary contact for internal and external stakeholders concerning all matters related to the Director's Office. This role involves liaising with senior management teams and country managers, organizing and coordinating executive outreach and external relations, and overseeing special projects. The position demands a creative individual who excels in a small, entrepreneurial, mission-driven, results-oriented, and community-focused environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional judgment in various situations, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and have excellent administrative and organizational abilities. They should be capable of managing multiple priorities, working independently on projects from start to finish, and handling diverse tasks and confidential matters with discretion, even under pressure.

Roles & Responsibilities

Executive Support

• Handles a wide range of administrative tasks for the Director, including managing a busy appointment calendar, drafting and preparing sometimes confidential correspondence, arranging comprehensive travel plans, itineraries, and agendas, and compiling documents for travel-related meetings.
• Communicates on behalf of the Director with internal and external stakeholders regarding programmatic initiatives.
• Researches, prioritizes, and addresses incoming issues and concerns directed to the Director, including sensitive or confidential matters, and determines the appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
• Facilitates smooth communication between the Director’s office and internal departments, demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust, and support with senior management.
• Works closely and effectively with the Director to keep them well-informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up as needed.
• Provides leadership in building relationships essential to the organization’s success and manages various special projects for the Director.
• Completes critical deliverables with a hands-on approach, including drafting acknowledgment letters, personal correspondence, and other tasks that enable the Director to lead the company effectively.
• Prioritizes conflicting needs, handles matters promptly and proactively, and ensures projects are followed through to successful completion, often under deadline pressure.
• Supports administrative tasks within human resource functions.

Senior Management Liaison

• Acts as an adjunct member of the Executive Team, assisting with meeting scheduling and attendance.
• Helps coordinate agendas to achieve business outcomes.
• Collaborates with the finance department to prepare necessary reports.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills demonstrated by the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective relationship-building with stakeholders, both internal (staff) and external partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills at an expert level.
• Proven proactive problem-solving abilities with strong decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrates emotional maturity.
• Highly resourceful team player who can also work effectively independently.
• Track record of handling confidential information discreetly, with adaptability to manage competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high-performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Forward-thinking individual who actively identifies opportunities and proposes innovative solutions.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Relevant work experience: 6 to 10 years supporting C-level executives or senior management in a dynamic SME environment.
• Experience and interest in internal and external communications, as well as partnership development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.