Executive Assistant

Edge Executive Search Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to a Group Head for Africa Services. Responsibilities include managing complex schedules, coordinating international travel, and preparing essential materials while ensuring effective stakeholder communication. The ideal candidate exhibits strong organizational skills, discretion, and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant supporting C-suite or Group Head level.
• Expert calendar, travel, and meeting administration across multiple time zones.
• Strong communication skills to draft, edit, and proofread documents.

Responsibilities

• Own complex diary management and prioritize across regions.
• Plan and coordinate travel, visas, and itineraries.
• Prepare briefings, board packs, and meeting materials.

Skills

Calendar management

Travel coordination

Document production

Verbal communication

Written communication

Sensitivity with information

Organizational skills

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Executive Assistant — Africa Services

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Type: Permanent

Two steps ahead.

You turn complexity into calm.

About the Role

As Executive Assistant, you’ll provide high-level support to a Group Head responsible for Africa Services, coordinating a fast-moving agenda across multiple countries and time zones. You’ll act as the first point of contact, safeguarding priorities, preparing the leader for decisions, and ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

This role blends classic EA excellence—diary, travel, and meeting orchestration—with project coordination, document preparation, and stakeholder follow-through. Expect a pace that’s high, expectations that are clear, and a leader who values judgment, discretion, and proactive problem-solving.

What You’ll Do

• Own complex diary management, prioritising across regions and shifting demands.
• Plan and coordinate multi-leg African and international travel, visas, and itineraries.
• Prepare briefings, board packs, and meeting materials; capture actions and drive follow-ups.
• Track priorities, deadlines, and risks; flag issues early and propose solutions.
• Coordinate leadership meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Manage confidential correspondence, contracts, and approvals with meticulous version control.
• Process expenses and budgets; support vendor onboarding and procurement workflows.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to progress decisions and deliverables.
• Support ad hoc projects, research, and analytics to inform executive decisions.

What You Bring

• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant supporting C-suite or Group Head level.
• Expert calendar, travel, and meeting administration across multiple time zones.
• Strong document production (PowerPoint / Word) and spreadsheet confidence (Excel).
• Crisp written and verbal communication; able to draft, edit, and proofread.
• High discretion, integrity, and comfort handling sensitive information.
• Strong organisation, urgency, and follow-through; calm under pressure.
• Advantageous: exposure to Africa markets, board support, and procurement workflows.

What Success Looks Like

• The Group Head’s time is protected and focused on the highest-value priorities.
• Meetings run on-time with clear agendas, decision records, and closed actions.
• Travel, logistics, and compliance are seamless—even when plans change late.
• Stakeholders experience responsive, professional, and solution-oriented engagement.
• Documents are accurate, on-brand, and board-ready the first time.
• You anticipate needs, remove friction, and keep critical work moving forward.

Rewards & Realities

You’ll have visibility at the top table, meaningful impact, and broad exposure across Africa. The flip side: rapid context-switching, occasional out-of-hours coordination, and high expectations for accuracy and pace.