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Useful Information
The role of an executive assistant (EA) has evolved significantly over the years. While diary management, travel coordination and administrative support remain important aspects of the position, today's EAs are often trusted partners to senior leaders, helping to manage priorities, coordinate stakeholders and keep key business initiatives moving forward.
As organisations become increasingly fast-paced and interconnected, many EAs are taking on broader responsibilities beyond traditional administration. The ability to adapt, build strong relationships and contribute to business outcomes is becoming just as important as organisational excellence.
So, what does this mean for EAs looking to build a successful long-term career?
An executive assistant provides high-level administrative and strategic support to senior leaders.
While EAs traditionally focused on calendar management, travel coordination and correspondence, many executive assistants today also contribute to project management, stakeholder coordination and business operations.
Depending on the organisation, an EA's responsibilities may include:
While many of these responsibilities remain core to the position, the way executive assistants contribute to a business has expanded considerably over time.
The scope of an executive assistant's responsibilities has expanded beyond traditional administrative support. Many organisations now rely on EAs to coordinate projects, manage key stakeholders, support leadership meetings and help executives operate more effectively.
In many businesses, EAs are involved in:
As a result, employers increasingly value EAs not only for their administrative expertise, but also for their ability to solve problems, navigate complexity and keep priorities moving forward.
Many experienced EAs develop a deep understanding of the business, its people and its objectives. This often places them in a unique position to support decision-making, identify potential issues early and help maintain momentum across multiple initiatives.
Understanding how the company operates can help executive assistants anticipate needs and support leaders more effectively.
Strong organisational skills remain fundamental to success as an executive assistant. However, employers are increasingly looking for a broader set of capabilities.
Some of the most valued qualities include:
EAs often manage competing demands, changing schedules and multiple stakeholders. The ability to prioritise effectively and stay organised remains essential.
EAs regularly interact with senior leaders, employees, clients and external partners. Clear written and verbal communication skills help ensure information is shared accurately and professionally.
Understanding different personalities, working styles and stakeholder expectations can help EAs build strong working relationships across the organisation.
Business priorities can change quickly, so resilience is highly sought after for this role. Employers value professionals who can remain flexible, respond calmly to changing circumstances, work independently when required and adjust their approach when needed.
EAs are frequently trusted with sensitive business information. Professional and sound judgment along with discretion are critical aspects of the role.
Strong EAs are often responsible for dealing with unexpected challenges before they affect business priorities. Rather than simply reacting to issues, they look for practical solutions that help leaders stay focused on their priorities.
As workplaces continue to adopt new technologies, EAs are expected to be comfortable using workplace tools such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, collaboration platforms and project management software.
The most successful executive assistants are often those who continue expanding their knowledge and capabilities throughout their careers.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional support responsibilities, consider taking steps to:
Seeking exposure to different areas of the business can also help broaden your experience and create new career opportunities over time.
Networking with other administrative professionals, participating in professional development programmes and learning from experienced leaders can provide valuable insights into how the role continues to evolve. Building a strong professional network can also open up opportunities to learn from peers, gain industry knowledge and explore potential career paths.
As automation and AI tools become more common, some administrative tasks may become more efficient or less time-consuming than they were previously.
However, the qualities that make great executive assistants effective are often difficult to automate.
While technology can automate some administrative tasks, EAs continue to add value through judgement, relationship management, communication and problem solving. These capabilities help senior leaders operate more effectively and remain difficult to replace through automation alone.
Average salary levels for executive assistants can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, industry, location and scope of responsibilities.
Professionals supporting C-suite leaders or senior leadership teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships, supervising junior support staff or taking on broader operational responsibilities may have access to higher-paying opportunities.
Factors that can influence earning potential include:
It can be helpful to review current market data before making your next career move, such as the latest salary benchmarks and hiring trends.
Because entry level executive assistants usually work closely with senior leaders, they often gain broad exposure to business strategy, operations and decision-making. This can create opportunities to progress into more senior business support or operational roles.
While the job title may vary between organisations, common progression routes include:
Many professionals also find that the stakeholder management, communication and organisational capabilities developed as an EA are highly transferable across industries and functions.
The executive assistant role continues to evolve as organisations adapt to changing ways of working, new technologies and increasingly complex business environments.
While some administrative tasks have become more automated, the value of executive assistants increasingly lies in their ability to manage relationships, navigate competing priorities and support decision-making at a senior level.
For many EAs, this presents an opportunity to expand their impact beyond traditional administration. Those who continue developing their business knowledge, communication skills and adaptability are often well positioned to take on broader responsibilities and grow their careers over time.
Building these capabilities can also help when preparing for new opportunities and interviews.
As expectations evolve, EAs who combine strong organisational skills with business awareness, stakeholder management and adaptability can continue building rewarding long-term careers.
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Carol is a Content Writer at Michael Page, creating content for audiences across the APAC region. She writes articles, contributes to annual salary reports, and helps maintain high standards of quality through editing and proofreading.With experience...
