Personal Assistant to Chief Executive Officer

Executive Assistant to the CEOLocation: Dubai, UAE – RemoteEmployment Type: Full-TimeReports To: CEOAbout the RoleWe are looking for a highly organised, proactive and commercially aware Executive Assistant to support the CEO of a growing business operating across retail, e-commerce and distribution.This is not a traditional administrative PA role. The successful candidate will help the CEO manage priorities and ensure that conversations, instructions and decisions are converted into clear actions and completed outcomes.You must be confident following up with managers, chasing outstanding tasks and escalating delays without waiting for the CEO to ask.Business support will remain the primary focus, although the role will include limited personal administrative support where required.Key ResponsibilitiesCEO and Diary ManagementManage the CEO’s diary, inbox, meetings, calls and important commitments.Prioritise urgent or commercially important matters.Draft emails, letters and internal communications on behalf of the CEO.Prepare the CEO for meetings with the required information and documents.Protect the CEO’s time and maintain focus on the highest-priority matters.Actions and Follow-UpTurn conversations and decisions into clear actions with an owner and deadline.Maintain an up-to-date action and decision tracker.Follow up proactively with managers and team members.Chase outstanding actions before deadlines are missed.Escalate delays, blockers and incomplete work to the CEO.Provide concise daily and weekly updates on priorities and outstanding actions.Meetings and CommunicationPrepare agendas, briefing notes and meeting documents.Attend key meetings where required and record decisions and action points.Circulate actions promptly and monitor them through to completion.Coordinate communication between the CEO, internal departments and external stakeholders.Work closely with the CEO through Microsoft Teams throughout the working day.Business and Commercial SupportDevelop a strong understanding of the company’s operations and commercial priorities.Coordinate tasks and projects across retail, e-commerce, distribution, finance, marketing and operations.Gather reports, figures and departmental updates required for decision-making.Prepare concise reports, presentations and briefing documents.Recognise when delays could have a financial, operational or reputational impact.External Stakeholders and TravelCoordinate meetings and follow-ups with suppliers, brand partners, retailers, consultants and other external stakeholders.Organise UK, UAE and international travel, including flights, hotels, transport, visas and itineraries.Attend occasional meetings, appointments or business activities in Dubai when required.Undertake occasional international travel where necessary.Personal Administrative SupportProvide limited personal administrative support to the CEO where necessary, including appointments, travel arrangements, reservations and other reasonable administrative matters.Handle all personal and business information with complete discretion.Business responsibilities will remain the primary focus of the role.Authority and AccountabilityThe Executive Assistant will have the CEO’s authority to request information, progress updates and completion dates relating to CEO-assigned actions.Managers and team members will be expected to respond promptly. However, responsibility for delivering the work will remain with the relevant manager or team member.What We Are Looking ForPrevious experience as an Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, Operations Coordinator or in a similar role.Experience supporting a CEO, Founder or Managing Director.Exceptionally organised, proactive and detail-oriented.Strong at following up and holding people accountable.Confident communicating with senior managers and external stakeholders.Commercially aware and able to prioritise effectively.Excellent written and verbal English.Highly proficient with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365.Able to manage multiple deadlines without constant supervision.Discreet and trustworthy with confidential information.Comfortable working at pace in a growing, founder-led business.Location and Working RequirementsThe successful candidate must be based in Dubai when employment begins.Must have, or be able to obtain, the appropriate right to work in the UAE.Must have a reliable internet connection and a private, professional workspace.Must be able to work hours that provide sufficient overlap with the CEO and the company’s UK-based departments. This may require working later in the day in Dubai.Must be available and responsive throughout the agreed working day.Occasional in-person attendance in Dubai and international travel may be required.Key Measures of SuccessCEO actions are accurately captured and followed through.Tasks have clear owners and deadlines.Outstanding actions are chased before they become overdue.Delays and blockers are escalated promptly.Meetings, travel and commitments are well organised.The CEO has clear visibility of priorities and outstanding work.The CEO spends less time chasing people for updates.Important actions are not forgotten or left incomplete.The Right PersonThis role is ideal for someone who enjoys making things happen.When the CEO says, “We need to get this done,” you should immediately think:Who is responsible?What is required?What is the deadline?Has it been completed?If not, what needs to happen next?You will become an important extension of the CEO’s office, ensuring that decisions are converted into clear actions, accountability and completed outcomes.