The Executive Assistant (EA) is the strategic sparring partner of a director or manager. An indispensable linchpin within the company. The EA is the first point of contact for the manager and replaces the manager in case of absence. She is highly educated, with solid experience and a clear sense of maturity. Examples of tasks include: calendar management, relationship management, organizing international travel, and project management. Salaries start from €30,000 and can rise to €120,000 or more per year. This depends on experience.
All information in this article is based on the experience of Bas Gofers: Owner of ONTAPE. With over 10 years of experience, Bas Gofers has successfully placed 500+ Executive Assistants. Are you a company looking for an experienced Executive Assistant, or an Executive Assistant looking for a new challenge? Get in touch.
What is an Executive Assistant?
Executive Assistant meaning: An Executive Assistant (EA) is the personal assistant to Executives such as CEOs, CFOs, and other members of an organization’s senior leadership. Also sometimes referred to as a CEO Assistant. Their main task is to free up time for top management so they can focus on the highest priorities.
What exactly does an Executive Assistant do?
The Executive Assistant is the first point of contact for the Executive and steps in when they are unavailable. An EA is highly educated, proactive, and works independently. The EA collaborates closely with the Executive and maintains constant contact with other departments across the company. Projects are often initiated and executed independently, in collaboration with teams such as marketing, sales, and logistics.
Examples of Executive Assistant responsibilities:
- Strategic support: An EA often provides strategic support to senior leadership. This can include contributing to strategic initiatives, preparing policy documents, and conducting research to support decision-making.
- Calendar management and planning: An EA is typically responsible for scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel for high-level executives, while taking strategic priorities into account.
- Stakeholder management: An EA may be involved in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
- Project coordination: EAs can play a role in coordinating complex projects and initiatives, often requiring collaboration across multiple teams and departments.
- Analytical tasks: EAs may also be responsible for gathering and analyzing data to support business decisions.
Curious which Executive Assistants we currently have available? Get in touch.
Executive Assistant Salary 2025
How much does an Executive Assistant earn in 2025? The salary of an Executive Assistant primarily depends on experience. Experience levels are generally categorized as Junior, Mid-level, and Senior. Other factors that influence salary include the size of the company and the specific responsibilities that come with the role.
What does an Executive Assistant in training earn?
As an Executive Assistant Intern, you’ll usually receive a monthly allowance instead of a fixed salary. Internship durations and compensation vary, but a reasonable internship allowance ranges from €300 to €800 per month. As a Trainee Executive Assistant, you can generally expect slightly higher compensation than an intern. Traineeships typically last between 6 months and 2 years, with compensation ranging from €1,000 to €2,000 per month.
What does a Senior Executive Assistant earn?
- A Junior Executive Assistant earns approximately €30,000 to €45,000 per year.
- A Mid-level Executive Assistant earns between €45,000 and €60,000 per year.
- A Senior Executive Assistant earns between €60,000 and €120,000 or more per year.
Whether a Senior EA earns more than €120,000 annually depends largely on the company’s size. At multinationals or top-tier companies with complex structures and demanding roles, Senior Executive Assistants can expect salaries at the higher end of €120,000 or beyond.
Please note that these are general estimates and actual salaries may vary depending on specific circumstances. In addition to base salary, Senior Executive Assistants may also benefit from secondary employment conditions such as bonuses, paid vacation, pension schemes, and other perks. You can find average Executive Assistant salary benchmarks on platforms like Jooble or Glassdoor. Would you like a precise salary range tailored to your vacancy as an employer? Or do you want to know what salary you can reasonably ask for as an Executive Assistant, based on your experience? Get in touch.
Curious about the vacancies we currently have available? Take a look!
How to Become an Executive Assistant
There are several steps you can take to become a successful Executive Assistant. We’ve listed the five most important ones:
- Executive Assistant education: Many Executive Assistants hold a degree in secretarial studies, office management, or business administration. These programs help develop the foundational skills required for the role and are often sufficient. If you’re looking for a specialized Executive Assistant course, you can consider institutes like the Secretary Management Institute.
- Develop your skills: Executive Assistants need a broad range of skills, including excellent organizational, communication, and multitasking abilities. They should also be proficient with office software, scheduling tools, and communication technologies. Building these skills is essential.
- Gain work experience: Relevant work experience is crucial when applying for Executive Assistant positions. You can start with internships, administrative roles, or junior support positions to gain experience in office environments.
- Networking: Build connections in the business world and the secretarial community. Networking can help you connect with potential employers and discover new opportunities in the Executive Assistant field.
- Specialization and further training: As you gain more experience, you may choose to specialize in certain industries, such as finance, healthcare, or technology. Additional training and certification in specific tools or software packages can also boost your value.
What’s the difference between an Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, and Management Assistant?
The main difference lies in the scope of their responsibilities. An Executive Assistant typically supports senior-level management such as the CEO, business leaders, and executive teams. A Personal Assistant, on the other hand, often works for individuals such as entrepreneurs or public figures. A Management Assistant usually supports mid-level management and works at a different organizational layer compared to an Executive Assistant.
Executive Assistant Vacancies
ONTAPE specializes in recruiting Executive Assistants. We have a network of over 6,000 Assistants, allowing us to respond quickly when urgency is high. We often place multiple Executive Assistants per client and operate nationwide across the Netherlands.
We currently have several Executive Assistant vacancies available, along with other roles such as Office Managers, Personal Assistants, Management Assistants, and Executive Secretaries.
Do you have questions about our vacancies? Get in touch.
