Executive Assistant to Managing Director

Executive Assistant to the Managing Director

📍 Fully remote, South Africa | Permanent | Reporting to the Chief of Staff

Our Managing Director runs at pace, across multiple countries, in an Irish retail business that is growing and modernising. We're looking for an experienced Executive Assistant to plan his week, prepare him for everything in it, and make sure nothing is missed.

This isn't a learn-on-the-job role. You've done this before, at this level, and you'll own the executive office from week one, with the autonomy to run it your way.

What the role really is

On paper, it's diary, travel, meetings and correspondence. In practice, it's judgement and foresight: seeing the week before it happens, knowing what needs the MD and what doesn't, and protecting the time that matters.

What you'll do

• Own a complex diary and plan the MD's week so it's sequenced, realistic and built around real priorities
• Protect the MD's time by filtering what comes in, pushing back where needed, and redirecting to the right business leader
• Run international travel end to end, including flights, transfers, accommodation and itineraries, and handle changes calmly
• Arrange internal and external meetings across time zones, with everything in place in advance
• Prepare briefing materials so the MD walks into every meeting ready
• Capture meeting actions and follow them through to completion
• Act as the professional first point of contact for the senior team and external parties
• Triage, forward and escalate incoming correspondence
• Handle sensitive commercial and personal information with complete discretion
• Maintain accurate, secure records and cover general administration

What you'll bring

• Proven EA experience supporting an MD, CEO or C-suite executive in a fast-moving business
• Exceptional attention to detail. You consistently catch what others miss
• A habit of working a week ahead, not a day behind
• The judgement to prioritise without being told, and the confidence to push back
• Strong complex diary and international travel management across time zones
• Composure when things move at short notice
• Complete discretion
• Excellent written English and a confident presence with senior stakeholders
• Self-direction in a remote setting: visible, responsive and ahead of the detail
• Strong Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace skills, and quick to pick up new tools

Nice to have

• Experience supporting an executive across multiple countries
• A background in retail, supply chain or multi-site business
• Board or governance support, such as papers, minutes or committee scheduling
• Event or project coordination
• Experience working alongside a Chief of Staff

The offer

• Permanent, fully remote role based in South Africa
• Core hours overlapping with the MD's working day in Ireland
• Direct work with the MD, reporting to the Chief of Staff, alongside a senior leadership team

Built for someone who plans ahead, not someone who reacts. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.