Executive Assistant to the Senior Principal (Founder)

Paragon Structural Engineering, LTD.; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical coverage (employee + family)

Dental and vision coverage (company‑PA

Life and disability benefits

Paid maternity and bonding leave

Wellness reimbursements

Continuing education assistance

32 paid days off annually

Job summary

Paragon Structural Engineering, LTD. seeks an exceptional Executive Assistant to partner with the Senior Principal and leadership team. This role is highly involved, owning priorities, schedules, travel, and professional activities to keep the business moving forward.

You will coordinate with engineers, project operations, clients, attorneys, and other professionals, providing proactive planning and discreet, forward-thinking support in a growing engineering firm.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience.
• 5+ years as an Executive Assistant supporting C-suite or senior leadership.
• Experience managing complex calendars, travel, and changing priorities.
• Experience in professional services, engineering, architecture, or consulting is a plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Own and actively manage a complex executive calendar and priorities.
• Coordinate project activities, client commitments, travel, conferences, and professional activities.
• Work with leadership, Project Operations, clients, attorneys, and other professionals.
• Balance billable leadership, admin, and business development activities while protecting executive time.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Discretion

Proactive planning

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

QuickBooks Online

Adobe Acrobat

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

Paragon is looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant to work directly with our Senior Principal (Founder) and serve as a key partner to our leadership team.

This is not a traditional administrative role. We are looking for someone who wants to be highly involved in a growing engineering and consulting firm, take real ownership of executive priorities, and become a trusted partner in keeping the business moving forward.

You will work at the center of the firm, coordinating executive schedules, client and project commitments, business development activities, travel, conferences, litigation schedules, and professional activities. You will have visibility across the organization and work closely with leadership, engineers, Project Operations, clients, attorneys, and other professionals.

The right person is proactive, exceptionally organized, confident, discreet, and several steps ahead. You recognize what needs attention, exercise sound judgment in prioritizing it, and take ownership of getting it done.

Why This Role

• Direct Impact: Work closely with Paragon’s Senior Principal (Founder) and leadership team and play an important role in how the firm operates.
• Real Ownership: Take responsibility for priorities and outcomes, not simply assigned tasks.
• Variety: Work across engineering projects, litigation, business development, professional organizations, conferences, and firm operations.
• Professional Exposure: Interact regularly with engineers, executives, attorneys, clients, and other industry professionals.
• Opportunity to Grow: Develop a deep understanding of Paragon and expand your role as you become an increasingly valuable partner to leadership.

What You’ll Own

• Executive Calendar & Priorities: Own and actively manage a complex executive calendar, coordinating project activities, client commitments, internal meetings, business development, travel, conferences, professional activities, and personal appointments. Identify conflicts, protect critical commitments and working time, and ensure the calendar reflects leadership and business priorities.
• Proactive Planning: Look ahead, anticipate scheduling and coordination needs, identify potential conflicts or issues, and help keep commitments and priorities on track.
• Project Coordination: Develop a working understanding of Paragon’s project management systems, processes, terminology, and scheduling requirements. Work closely with Project Managers, Project Coordinators, and Project Operations to coordinate investigations, technical reviews, client meetings, and other project activities.
• Executive Time Management: Understand the distinction between billable project work and leadership, administrative, business development, and professional activities. Help maintain the appropriate balance while maximizing the effective use of executive time.
• Litigation & Legal Coordination: Develop familiarity with litigation‑related project activities and their scheduling significance. Coordinate with leadership, Project Operations, clients, attorneys, employees, and other parties regarding depositions, mediations, arbitrations, trials, and other legal proceedings and commitments.
• Travel, Meetings & Events: Coordinate business travel, conferences, registrations, meetings, and other executive commitments from planning through execution.
• Executive n: Prepare correspondence and documents; maintain professional licenses, memberships, committee participation, CVs, and other professional records; coordinate personal appointments and other executive administrative needs as requested; and manage other responsibilities requiring accuracy, judgment, and discretion.
• Cross-Training & Backup Support: Cross-train with other Project Operations and administrative staff to provide backup project, litigation, and administrative support as business needs require.

What You Bring

Experience & Education

• 10+ years of professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant supporting C-suite executives or equivalent senior leadership.
• Experience managing complex calendars, travel, changing priorities, and multiple concurrent commitments.
• Experience in professional services, engineering, architecture, legal, or consulting environments is a plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.

Technology

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Experience with QuickBooks Online or similar financial/accounting software is a plus.
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat and Bluebeam Revu is a plus.

How You Work

• You think ahead rather than simply react. You take ownership and follow through without requiring constant direction. You know how to distinguish what is urgent from what is important and when something needs executive attention.
• You are exceptionally organized and detail‑oriented, communicate professionally and confidently, and remain composed and adaptable when priorities change. You exercise sound judgment and handle confidential executive, personnel, client, and legal matters with discretion.
• Most importantly, you enjoy solving problems, creating order from complexity, and making the people and organization around you more effective.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Paragon offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 32 paid days off annually, including 20 paid time‑off days, 10 paid holidays, and 2 volunteer days
• 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4% of eligible earnings, with no vesting period
• Medical coverage, 70% company-paid for employees and their families
• Dental and vision coverage, 100% company-paid for employees and their families
• Company‑paid life and disability benefits
• Paid maternity and bonding leave
• Wellness and monthly night‑out reimbursements
• Continuing education assistance
• Additional employee benefits and perks

About Paragon

Paragon is a growing engineering and consulting firm providing structural engineering, forensic investigation, and related professional services. Our work brings together technical expertise, problem solving, client service, and collaboration across a wide range of projects and complex matters.

This position offers the opportunity to work closely with firm leadership and become an integral part of Paragon’s continued growth.

Paragon is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.