The Executive Assistant: The Unsung Power Behind Senior Leadership
How Inclusive Recruitment Practices Are Shaping the Future of Executive Hiring
April 29, 2025
Vision, strategy, decision-making...the pressures of the C-suite are well known. In a fast-paced working world, executive leadership positions are often seen to take the brunt of changes and challenging decisions. However, behind every high-performing CEO, director, or board-level executive, there is often a figure whose impact, though less visible, is no less vital. The executive assistant.
Although we specialise in placing senior executives in the boardroom, our experts understand how essential the positions of leadership support are to the overall success of a candidate. The executive assistant is a key part of the C-suite and appreciating the dynamics between senior staff and their assistance is vital.
In today’s workplace, the executive assistant is far more than a diary manager or gatekeeper; they are often a strategic partner in leadership success.
Why Executive Assistants Matter at the Top
The executive assistant (EA) must wear many hats. They are, in part, an operations manager, project coordinator, chief of staff, and additionally will often act as an ear for the executive they are supporting.
The executive assistant essentially controls the most valuable asset of all; time. The time of a senior leader is measure in value and outcomes, and it falls to the EA to manage that time for the best success.
- Prioritising strategic over reactive work
- Managing internal and external communications
- Maintaining productivity amidst high pressure
- Acting as a proxy in certain decision-making situations
As experts in placing talent in C-Suite roles, we regularly hear clients comment that their success and focus is directly linked with the efficacy of their supporting team – specifically, their assistant.
An exceptional executive assistant will be the beating heart of smooth operations, be adept at prioritising and can read a room on both social and business politics levels.
EAs as Strategic Partners, Not Support Staff
The modern executive assistant is recognised for their firm contribution to the productivity of the executive and thus, the overarching success of an organisation. Their input goes far beyond basic administration, and the best companies now champion their EA’s in the following ways:
- Include EAs in leadership meetings
- Entrust them with confidential projects
- Consult them for internal insights
- Invest in their professional development
An empowered EA is an effective EA and everyone benefits when the contributions of individuals are recognised, and hierarchies and structures are adjusted accordingly.
Hiring and Structuring Executive Support at Scale
For businesses scaling rapidly or undergoing transformation, getting the executive support structure right is critical. In some cases, a senior EA might work with multiple stakeholders — for example, a COO and CFO — while in others, high-touch personal support for one leader is the right model. At board level, some organisations are now introducing ‘chief of staff’ roles that build upon the traditional EA position with greater autonomy and strategic responsibility.
Here are a few principles for getting executive support right:
- Match style, not just skills – Personality fit, discretion, and chemistry are often more important than technical proficiency.
- Structure the role intentionally – Define the EA’s influence, access, and responsibilities clearly from the outset.
- Pay competitively – High-performing EAs at the top level command high salaries, and rightly so.
- Build trust early – An EA is often the first and last line of defence for an executive’s time and reputation. That trust needs to be earned and protected.
What Senior Executives Look For in an EA
At Eagle Headhunters, we’ve spoken to hundreds of C-suite leaders about what they value most in executive assistants. Common threads include:
- Discretion: Absolute confidentiality is non-negotiable.
- Proactivity: The best EAs don’t wait for instructions, they pre-empt.
- Emotional intelligence: Diplomacy, tact, and self-awareness go a long way.
- Organisational savvy: Knowing when and how to escalate, who to involve, and how to read the office culture.
- Technological confidence: From calendar tools to project management systems, a digitally fluent EA is a major asset.
Finding a rhythm with an executive assistant can take time, however once they’ve hit their stride, it is a powerful partnership that will have monumental impact on the success of an organisation. As headhunters, this is why understanding cultural fit and social dynamics is imperative when searching for executive level talent.
A Critical Lever for Leadership Success
Sometimes an executive needs more than just strategic visition. Sometimes they need someone by their side, working in partnership with them. We have placed countless executives in their perfect role and recognising the pivotal role of executive assistants is just one of the ways we can find the right fit.
The executive assistant is not merely a support function, but an indispensable contributor to executive success.