Exceptional Executive Assistant to the Founders

SMEENK’S! | Executive Search for World-Class Executive Business Partners, PAs & Chiefs of Staff; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 72,540; Full time

Job summary

A leading Executive Search firm in Amsterdam is looking for an Executive Assistant to support the founders of a European defense-tech platform. This role demands exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and a proactive approach in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include managing complex calendars, coordinating travel, and preparing for leadership meetings. The ideal candidate should thrive on responsibility and have a strong interest in European security and innovation. A full-time permanent position with competitive remuneration is offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience supporting senior leadership in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Ability to manage complex calendars and travel logistics.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex international calendars and priorities.
• Coordinate international travel logistics.
• Act as a trusted operational partner to the founders.
• Prepare and follow up on leadership and board meetings.
• Handle confidential correspondence with discretion.

Skills

Organizational skills

Discretion and integrity

Proactive mindset

Adaptability

Curiosity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

Google Workspace

Slack

Job description

This is an exceptional Executive Assistant role.

You will step into the inner circle of a small, elite leadership team at a defining moment in Europe’s technological and industrial evolution. Operating in the cockpit of decision-making, you will create structure, rhythm, and focus around the founders – contributing directly to momentum and playing a critical role in building the European backbone of a strategically important organization.

This role offers responsibility, pace, and purpose. It is suited exclusively to Executive Assistants who take pride in mastering their craft at the highest level, who operate with judgment and discretion, and who genuinely want to build rather than follow.

While the role may evolve over time, exceptional Executive Assistant fundamentals are non-negotiable from day one. If you are seeking a lifestyle role, predefined structures, or an immediate transition into a Chief of Staff position, this opportunity will not be the right fit.

If you recognize yourself in this exceptional EA signature, read on carefully and submit your application no later than January 26, 2026 at 10.00 CET.

We look forward to meeting you.

SMEENK'S Executive Partners

Assisting Excellent Leadership. Through Attention, Focus, and Quality.

Maartje C. Smeenk - The PA Strategist®

Executive Search | World-Class Executive Business Partners, Personal Assistants & Chiefs of Staff for CEOs, Presidents, Business Leaders, and Board Chairs.

Executive Assistant to the Founders – Confidential European Defense-Tech Platform, NL-Amsterdam (full-time)

The Organization

Our client is a next-generation European defense and technology platform operating at the intersection of security, industry, software, and advanced systems engineering. Founded by former senior executives from one of Silicon Valley’s most influential technology companies and backed by leading European and US investors, the organization is building critical hardware and software to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, resilience, and security. The company is in an active build phase. The organization is deliberately lean, international by design, and scaling with intent rather than volume. Amsterdam will serve as a lean European coordination hub, operating with a small, senior leadership team of approximately 10 professionals. The global headquarters will be located elsewhere in Europe.

Culture and Way of Working

Mission alignment is essential. The culture is mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and execution-focused within a builder’s environment:

• Priorities shift;
• Structure evolves continuously.

Leadership values energy, ownership, curiosity, integrity, and speed of execution. Team members are expected to operate autonomously, think ahead, and contribute directly to momentum.

The Promise

You will step into the inner circle of a small, elite leadership team at a defining moment in Europe’s technological and industrial evolution. Operating in the cockpit of decision-making, you will contribute directly to momentum and play a critical role in building the European backbone of a strategically important organization. This role offers responsibility, pace, and purpose, and is suited exclusively to professionals who genuinely want to build.

Highly competitive remuneration, aligned with seniority, experience, and strategic impact (reference benchmark: approximately €6,500 gross per month, with meaningful upside for the right profile).

Full-time position. Permanent contract.

The Role

This role is first and foremost an exceptional Executive Assistant position.

You will operate at the nerve center of the founders’ agenda, creating structure, rhythm, and operational clarity in a fast-moving, international environment. While the role may evolve over time, exceptional EA fundamentals are non-negotiable from day one.

This is a role for someone who thrives on pace, responsibility, and building from the inside.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Managing complex international calendars and priorities across Europe and the US;
• Coordinating frequent international travel and logistics;
• Acting as a trusted operational partner to the founders;
• Preparing, structuring, and following up on leadership, board, and investor meetings;
• Managing confidential correspondence and sensitive information with absolute discretion;
• Creating order, continuity, and exceptional discipline in daily execution;
• Supporting Amsterdam office coordination and leadership logistics;
• Anticipating needs, resolving issues proactively, and maintaining momentum.

The Ideal Candidate

You thrive where clarity does not yet exist – and take responsibility for creating it. You bring energy, ownership, and curiosity. You do not wait to be managed. You understand that trust is earned through execution. You are motivated by impact and mission, not by hierarchy or titles.

What Sets You Apart:

• Genuine interest in European security, resilience, and innovation;
• High energy and adaptability in startup or scale-up environments;
• Strong motivation to perform core EA work at an exceptional level;
• Comfort operating with distributed, international leadership teams;
• Ability to operate independently without constant reassurance;
• A growth mindset without entitlement to future titles or roles.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (Business Support, International Business, Hospitality Management, or equivalent);
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership in a fast-paced, high-trust environment, ideally as an Executive Assistant or comparable role;
• Fluency in English (additional European languages are a plus);
• Highly comfortable with modern collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Slack, etc.);
• Demonstrated experience managing complex calendars, priorities, and travel;
• Absolute discretion and integrity;
• Full-time availability (40 hours per week).

Personal Qualities

• Highly organized, proactive, and self-directed;
• Professional maturity and sound judgment;
• Strong business and political sensitivity;
• Analytical and accurate, with a keen eye for detail;
• Calm and resilient under pressure;
• Energetic, resourceful, and pragmatic;
• Loyal, trustworthy, and discreet;
• Positive energy, composure, and confidence;
• Naturally service-minded with a global mindset.

Dealbreakers

• Disinterest in or opposition to defense technology;
• Lack of curiosity about global or European affairs;
• Anti-US sentiment;
• Expectation of rigid work-life boundaries during an early build phase;
• Need for excessive reassurance, structure, or handholding.

The Application Process

The search for this position is exclusively entrusted to SMEENK’S Executive Partners, the Netherlands’ Executive Search Specialist for Excellent Leadership. SMEENK’S guarantees the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality.

Procedure

• Application deadline: January 26, 2026, 10:00 AM CET;
• Introductory interviews with SMEENK’S: w/c January 26, 2026 (Amsterdam/online);
• Client interviews: w/c January 26, 2026 (Amsterdam/online);
• Preferred start date: in consultation, as soon as possible;
• Employment type: Permanent, full-time (40 hours per week).

Final Note

This role is selective by design. It is intended for professionals who seek responsibility, pace, and purpose – and who understand the demands of operating at the core of a mission-driven, fast-scaling organization. Only candidates who recognize themselves in this signature – and are ready to commit at that level – are encouraged to submit their application no later than January 26, 2026 at 10:00 CET.

We look forward to meeting you!

SMEENK’S Executive Partners

Maartje C. Smeenk – The PA Strategist®

About SMEENK’S Executive Partners

SMEENK’S Executive Partners is the Netherlands’ Executive Search Specialist for Excellent Leadership.

When you hire a Next-Level Executive Business Partner, Personal Assistant or Chief of Staff, we work confidentially and selectively with leaders who choose the very best - without compromise.