Admin & Support
An executive assistant provides high-level support to one or more senior leaders, managing their calendars, travel, communications and confidential matters. The role matters because it protects an executive’s time and keeps decisions and meetings moving without delay.
Median pay
$48,310a year
Secretaries and administrative assistants, U.S. BLS, May 2025
The role
Companies hire one when an executive’s schedule, travel and correspondence consume time better spent on leading, or when board and investor activity increases.
Typical responsibilities
Core skills
Tools and systems
Related titles
Typical background
Typically five or more years supporting senior leaders; a bachelor's degree is common but not required, and strong references are important.
At a glance
The essentials for planning the hire: level, background, how you can hire and what the role typically pays.
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What happens next
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Send your resume once and a administrative and support recruiter will match you to executive assistant roles that fit your experience, pay expectations and the way you want to work. We only put you forward for roles you have said yes to, and it is always free.
FAQ
Straight answers to the questions employers and candidates ask about this role.
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An executive assistant provides high-level support to one or more senior leaders, managing their calendars, travel, communications and confidential matters. The role matters because it protects an executive’s time and keeps decisions and meetings moving without delay. Typical responsibilities include: manage complex executive calendars and prioritize meeting requests; arrange domestic and international travel, itineraries and expense reports; draft correspondence and prepare briefing materials and board documents.
Look for calendar management, discretion, travel coordination, business writing, meeting coordination and prioritization. Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Concur, Zoom, PowerPoint and Google Workspace is common in this role.
Yes. Employers hire an executive assistant on contract for projects, peak periods and cover, and contract-to-hire is a good way to confirm fit before a permanent offer. For long-term needs, most choose full-time placement.
Define how much autonomy you want, such as whether the assistant can decline meetings or reply for you, plus how you handle email and travel. Then have finalists meet you. Fit and trust matter as much as skills in this role.
One-to-one support allows deep context and anticipation of needs. Supporting two or three leaders works when their schedules are lighter or their work overlaps. Beyond that, quality drops and priorities conflict, so consider a team of assistants or an administrative coordinator.
Related roles
Every role in the practice is recruited by the same specialist team.
