Executive Assistant to the CEO

Operatic Agency; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Operatic Agency in Hamilton, ON is seeking an Executive Assistant to the CEO to become a strategic partner and trusted advisor. You will operate across strategy, clients, operations, finance, new business and leadership, ensuring the CEO has the context needed to make informed decisions and driving leverage through structured processes.

You’ll absorb information from every part of the agency, filter signals from noise, and create leverage by solving issues before they escalate.

Qualifications

• A diploma or degree in Business, Marketing or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in an agency, startup or similarly fast-paced business environment.
• Strong judgment and the confidence to make decisions independently while knowing when to elevate.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and influence people at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• A high level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Workspace, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Sheets and Meet.

Responsibilities

• Become the Agency's Central Source of Context and provide concise briefings to the CEO.
• Turn information into better decisions by filtering signals from noise.
• Create clarity and keep work moving, even in ambiguity.
• Protect the CEO's focus by managing priorities, meetings and logistics.
• Support the growth of the business across clients, marketing, operations and new business.
• Represent the CEO in client and leadership interactions with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain absolute trust and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Discretion

Problem solving

Education

Diploma/degree in Business or Marketing

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Operations Full Time Hamilton, ON $70,000 - $85,000 CAD per year

Operatic Agency isn’t just another creative digital agency—we're a powerhouse of research, strategy, storytelling, and technology that fuels business growth. Named one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies for six years, we bring brands closer to their audiences with bold ideas and cutting-edge executions.

If you’re passionate about transforming ideas into impactful narratives, thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and are eager to make a difference, we want you on our team!

About the Role:

Most Executive Assistant roles are designed to keep an executive organized.

This role is designed to help build a great business.

As Executive Assistant to the CEO at Operatic, you'll become a strategic partner to the CEO and one of the most informed people in the business. You'll have a front-row seat to how a high-growth agency operates – working across strategy, clients, operations, finance, new business and leadership.

You'll absorb information from every part of the agency, separate signals from noise, identify what matters most and help ensure the right work keeps moving.

This role goes far beyond managing a calendar.

Your role is to create leverage. Every hour you save, every challenge you solve before it escalates and every decision you help improve creates leverage for the entire business.

If you're ambitious, thrive in complexity and aspire to become a business leader—not simply support one—this role offers an exceptional opportunity to accelerate your career.

What You’ll do:

Success in this role comes down to seven core principles.

1. Become the Agency's Central Source of Context

Build a deep understanding of Operatic's clients, projects, people, priorities and risks so the CEO always has the context needed to make informed decisions.

2. Turn Information Into Better Decisions

Separate signal from noise, identify what matters, prepare concise briefings and bring recommendations rather than raw problems.

3. Create Clarity and Keep Work Moving

Step into ambiguous situations, create structure, follow through on actions and remove obstacles before they become bigger.

4. Protect the CEO's Focus

Manage priorities, meetings, follow-ups and logistics so the CEO remains focused on the highest-value work.

5. Support the Growth of the Business

Contribute across clients, marketing, operations and new business while helping leadership connect information and opportunities across the agency.

6. Represent the CEO

Work confidently with clients, partners and senior leaders, knowing when to elevate, redirect or resolve issues. Communicate consistently and professionally while protecting the CEO from unnecessary noise and distractions.

7. Maintain Absolute Trust and Confidentiality

Handle confidential client, employee, company and personal information with sound judgment and absolute discretion. Maintain the trust of the CEO, leadership team and clients by exercising integrity and professionalism in every interaction.

The Ideal Candidate:

We’re looking for someone who can handle complexity, exercise sound judgment, build strong relationships and help senior leaders make better decisions. Ideally, you have:

• A diploma or degree in Business, Marketing or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in an agency, startup or similarly fast-paced business environment.
• A proven ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex work and adapt quickly as priorities change.
• Strong judgment and the confidence to make decisions independently while knowing when to elevate.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and influence people at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• A high level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Workspace, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Sheets and Meet.
• Curiosity, initiative and a genuine desire to learn and grow.

A traditional Executive Assistant background is not required. Strong candidates may come from roles such as Executive Assistant, Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager or Executive Coordinator. What matters most is your ability to absorb information quickly, think critically, communicate clearly and move important work forward with minimal direction.

Nice To Have:

• Experience supporting a CEO, founder or senior executive.
• A solid understanding of marketing and agency operations, including strategy, creative, media, digital, client service and project management.

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Naturally want to understand how a business works and what is happening across it.
• Take initiative instead of waiting to be told what to do.
• Can quickly bring structure and clarity to ambiguous situations.
• Stay calm under pressure and adapt well as priorities change.
• Notice what is missing and solve problems before they become bigger challenges.
• Are ambitious enough to want more responsibility, while humble enough to do whatever the business needs.
• Take pride in being dependable, well-informed and difficult to surprise.

This Role Isn't for You If...

This role is demanding, fast-moving and often unpredictable. It won’t be the right fit if you:

• Prefer clearly defined responsibilities and predictable routines.
• Need detailed instructions before taking action.
• Are uncomfortable following up with senior leaders or asking direct questions.
• Want a traditional administrative role that stays separate from clients, projects and business decisions.
• Struggle when priorities shift quickly, or several important issues compete for your attention.
• Take direct feedback personally rather than using it to improve your work.

Working With the CEO

The CEO thinks quickly, moves quickly and expects people around him to do the same.

He’s deeply involved in client strategy, operations, people and growth, often thinking across multiple parts of the business simultaneously. As a result, priorities can shift quickly as new information emerges or opportunities develop.

The person who succeeds in this role doesn't simply react; they stay one step ahead. They learn how the CEO thinks, anticipate what he needs and bring clarity when information is incomplete.

Ownership is non-negotiable. Initiative is valued. Rather than escalating every problem, you'll dive into the issue, develop options, recommend a path forward and be prepared to discuss the trade-offs.

You should be comfortable walking into the CEO's office and saying:

"Here’s what changed. Here’s why it matters. Here are the options. Here’s what I recommend."

Direct feedback is part of how we work. It is intended to improve the work, not criticize the person. The ability to receive feedback objectively, adapt quickly and continue moving forward is essential to succeeding in this role.

Above all else, this role is built on trust. The CEO needs someone who can operate with sound judgment, exercise discretion, and confidently make decisions on his behalf when appropriate.

Why This Role Is Different

Working this closely with the CEO provides a level of exposure that few roles offer.

You'll see how decisions are made across clients, strategy, operations, finance, marketing, people and growth while working alongside the agency's leadership team.

You'll develop business judgment, commercial thinking and executive context at a pace that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

If your ambition is to become a business or marketing leader, it's difficult to imagine a role that will accelerate your growth faster than this one.

Work Model and Schedule:

This role is based primarily in our Hamilton office, with four days in the office and Fridays worked remotely. While the role may occasionally require up to two evening work blocks in a given week, that flexibility works both ways. When business needs allow, you'll have the flexibility to adjust your schedule, including lighter Friday afternoons.

Why Operatic Agency:

You'll join a team that believes in:

• Building exceptional work.
• Giving people room to grow.
• Holding high standards while supporting one another.
• Creating meaningful careers—not just jobs.

We also offer:

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits:
• Medical insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Diverse clientele
• Vibrant location & hybrid work

Operatic Agency values inclusion and access for all applicants and employees. Should you require accommodation to participate in the application and interview process, please let us know. Only those selected for next steps will be contacted.