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EA Job Description

Written by: Ethan Cumming
Published on: 6 Oct 2022

 

EA job description

Within this EA Job Description, SecsintheCity will provide an overview of what a job role as an EA entails, how much you can earn working as an Executive Assistant, and what a career path as an EA may look like.

  • What is an Executive Assistant?

    An Executive Assistant – often abbreviated to EA – provides key administrative and business support to one or more Director, CEO and other senior management figures in a business.

    In many ways, Executive Assistant jobs are similar to Personal Assistant (PA) roles, with crossover areas including taking telephone calls, drafting correspondence, organising meetings, booking travel and diary management.

    EA roles often include greater variance of duties from overseeing budgets, standing in for their bosses during meetings and project management. Nonetheless, the level of responsibility held will very much differ from role to role, depending on the organisation type, company model and professional preference. 

  • What does an Executive Assistant do?

    The remit of an Executive Assistant can be incredibly broad, and due to the busy and demanding lives of their bosses, those in EA jobs will find that their list of tasks and priorities shift on a near-daily basis. However, as a guide, the key responsibilities of an Executive Assistant usually include:

    • Extensive calendar and diary management
    • Answering and directing telephone calls
    • Managing your boss’ email inbox and sending responses
    • Coordinating schedules, meetings and appointments
    • Arranging travel and booking accommodation
    • Providing general administrative support
    • Preparing memos, letters, invoices, statements and other documents
    • Liaising with clients, colleagues and other EAs
    • Greeting visitors and clients
    • Management and oversight of business projects
    • Attending meetings with your boss and recording minutes
    • Taking meetings and reporting back with actions
    • Involvement with interviewing, hiring and training staff
    • Maintaining and monitoring budgets and expenses
    • Arranging dinners, social events and public appearances
    • Producing timelines and reviews of projects
    • Researching new business ventures or projects

  • How to become an Executive Assistant

    There is no set qualification pathway to becoming an Executive Assistant, although many employers require applicants who are educated to degree level.

    Instead, importance is placed upon the experience that EA candidates have built up over their career to date. Those looking at taking on their first Executive Assistant role will likely need to demonstrate experience in increasingly senior support roles, while the most senior figures in business often seek those with several years of existing EA experience.

  • What are the key skills of an Executive Assistant?

    Key Executive Assistant skills include:

    • Exceptional organisational and diary management skills
    • High levels of flexibility and adaptability
    • Flawless communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
    • Excellent telephone manner
    • The ability to multitask and prioritise an everchanging workload
    • The ability to work under pressure and reach deadlines
    • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
    • The ability to work autonomously
    • The ability to determine which emails, reports, telephone calls etc need to reach your boss and which do not
    • Strong business and commercial acumen
    • The ability to communicate with and present to senior management and executives
    • The ability to build relationships at all levels across the business and with external contacts
    • Experience using the full Microsoft Office suite
    • Drafting, writing and research skills

  • How much does an Executive Assistant earn?

    According to our latest Salary Survey, Executive Assistants are awarded an average salary of £44,988 per annum, making them one of the highest paid support professionals.

    The same report found that the pay gap between EAs and PAs had grown to 21%, showing that as the roles become more distinguished, those in executive positions are being rewarded duly for the extra responsibility they carry.

  • EA jobs on SecsintheCity

    Are you looking for EA job opportunities? SecsintheCity is the UK’s only specialist job site for Executive Assistants, so whether you are seeking roles in banking, technology, consultancy services, or a range of other industry sectors, apply for the latest EA jobs on SecsintheCity today.