Executive Assistant to CEO

Job Title: Executive Assistant to CEO

Location: South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time, Remote

Working Hours: US Hours (9am-5pm EST)

Salary: South African Rand (ZAR)

A highly capable and proactive Executive Assistant to CEO is sought to serve as a trusted right-hand partner to a fast-paced executive. This is not a traditional administrative role; the successful candidate will play a critical role in bringing structure to ambiguity, protecting executive priorities, managing follow-through, and ensuring important initiatives are completed effectively. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional organizational skills, strong emotional intelligence, excellent judgment, and the ability to operate independently while supporting a high-performing executive.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize the CEO’s calendar, priorities, and daily schedule
• Protect executive time by prioritizing requests, redirecting interruptions, and ensuring focus on high-value activities
• Manage inboxes, communications, and follow-up activities
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, action items, and executive communications
• Track open tasks, projects, and commitments to ensure completion and accountability
• Prepare reports, summaries, dashboards, meeting notes, and follow-up trackers
• Support project coordination, operational initiatives, and executive priorities
• Anticipate challenges, identify risks, and proactively resolve issues before they escalate
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and executive reporting materials
• Assist with administrative, operational, HR, payroll, and business support activities as required
• Support executive decision-making through research, organization, and information management
• Build systems and processes that improve efficiency and create structure within a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) highly preferred
• Previous Executive Assistant experience required
• Experience supporting a CEO, Founder, Owner, Managing Director, or other senior executive required
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment required
• Strong calendar management, inbox management, meeting coordination, and executive support experience required
• Demonstrated ability to manage up and proactively support executive priorities required
• Strong ownership mentality with exceptional follow-through required
• Ability to protect executive time and push back respectfully when necessary required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• High emotional intelligence and professional judgment required
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills required
• Exceptional attention to detail required
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguity and manage competing priorities effectively
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities required
• Experience with reporting, data management, project coordination, and business administration preferred
• Experience supporting founders, CEOs, or entrepreneurs preferred
• Experience in startups, small businesses, or high-growth environments preferred
• Experience with operations, reporting, payroll, HR administration, or business support preferred
• Familiarity with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot preferred
• Experience working with remote-first teams preferred
• Reliable internet connection and a suitable home office setup

Benefits

1. Comfortable working U.S.