Personal Assistant

Discreet Recruitment; Maryland; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Discreet Recruitment is seeking a highly organized Personal Assistant to support a private principal in both personal and executive matters. The role involves managing calendars, coordinating travel, and handling confidential communications in a fast-paced, discreet environment.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in executive support, possess excellent discretion, and thrive in a dynamic setting where priorities can shift.

Qualifications

• Experience as Personal Assistant or equivalent executive support role.
• Proven ability to manage busy calendars and travel itineraries.
• Demonstrates discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Strong written and verbal communication with senior contacts.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day personal and executive support to the principal
• Manage a busy and ever-changing calendar across personal and professional commitments
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, reservations, family logistics and personal commitments
• Support with domestic and international travel planning, including itineraries, transport, accommodation and contingency planning
• Liaise with household staff, vendors, service providers and external contacts
• Assist with errands, purchases, gifting, research projects and ad hoc requests
• Prepare briefing notes, reminders, agendas and relevant background information when required
• Draft correspondence and support with communication where appropriate
• Track follow-ups, deadlines, priorities and action items
• Support with events, celebrations, family occasions and private arrangements
• Anticipate needs, solve problems quickly and ensure details are handled to a high standard
• Maintain absolute confidentiality across all personal, family and business matters

Skills

Calendar management

Travel planning

Discretion

Executive support

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Multitasking

Job description

Personal Assistant to Private Principal

About the Role

We are supporting a private client with the search for an experienced Personal Assistant to provide high-level support across both personal and executive matters.

This is a fast-paced, discreet and highly trusted role supporting a private principal with a busy schedule spanning business commitments, personal logistics, family matters, travel and day-to-day lifestyle support.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, polished, proactive and comfortable operating in a role where priorities can change quickly. This is not a remote position, so candidates must be based in the Washington, DC area or genuinely open to relocating.

The role would suit someone who has previously supported a senior executive, entrepreneur, family office principal, private household, public figure or high-profile individual, and who understands the importance of discretion, judgement, responsiveness and follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day personal and executive support to the principal
• Manage a busy and ever-changing calendar across personal and professional commitments
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, reservations, family logistics and personal commitments
• Support with domestic and international travel planning, including itineraries, transport, accommodation and contingency planning
• Liaise with household staff, vendors, service providers and external contacts
• Assist with errands, purchases, gifting, research projects and ad hoc requests
• Prepare briefing notes, reminders, agendas and relevant background information when required
• Draft correspondence and support with communication where appropriate
• Track follow-ups, deadlines, priorities and action items
• Support with events, celebrations, family occasions and private arrangements
• Anticipate needs, solve problems quickly and ensure details are handled to a high standard
• Maintain absolute confidentiality across all personal, family and business matters

The ideal candidate will be:

• Experienced in a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, Private PA, Chief of Staff, family office, private household or high-level support role
• Highly discreet, professional and emotionally intelligent
• Exceptionally organised, detail-focused and able to manage multiple moving parts
• Calm under pressure and confident working in a fast-moving environment
• Polished and comfortable communicating with senior-level contacts, private staff, vendors and external partners
• Proactive, solutions-led and able to anticipate what is needed before being asked
• Flexible and responsive, with an understanding that this is not a traditional 9–5 role
• Comfortable working across both personal and professional matters
• Strong in written and verbal communication
• Technically confident with calendars, email, documents, spreadsheets and digital communication tools
• A confident driver with reliable transportation
• Open to occasional domestic and international travel

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $90,000–$120,000, depending on experience and overall fit.

Benefits include healthcare, paid time off, company-provided device/s, business expense reimbursement and performance-based bonus potential.