Executive Assistant

Mba Inc; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advisory firm in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support the CEO. The role involves managing the CEO's engagements, coordinating governance activities, and assisting in sustainability efforts. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of EA experience, strong communication skills, and a background in Governance, Risk, Compliance, or Sustainability. A commitment to confidentiality and integrity is essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an EA, PA, or Chief of Staff.
• Exposure to GRC or ESG environments.
• Experience coordinating Board / Exco activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimise the CEO’s calendar and engagements.
• Coordinate and support Board and Committee meetings.
• Track and monitor the progress of strategic initiatives.
• Assist in preparing sustainability and ESG reports.
• Manage CEO office-related budgets and travel logistics.

Skills

Executive support mastery

Governance literacy

Communication excellence

Risk awareness

Technology proficiency

Confidentiality & discretion

Education

Diploma / Degree in Business Administration

Training in corporate governance or sustainability

Tools

MS Office Suite

Board portals

Virtual collaboration platforms

Job description

Overview

Summary: Division – MBA Advisory – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Sustainability.

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer.

Location: Johannesburg (with occasional travel as required).

MBA Advisory is a multidisciplinary advisory practice specialising in Governance, Risk, Compliance and Sustainability. We support clients in enhancing transparency, accountability and resilience. As the Executive Assistant to the CEO, you will gain unique exposure to the intersection of executive leadership and professional advisory, playing a key role in the firm’s growth journey while developing your expertise in the GRCS advisory space.

Position Info

Purpose of the Role

The Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO provides strategic, administrative and operational support to the CEO of MBA Advisory. The role is designed for a professional who can seamlessly combine executive assistance with an understanding of the Governance, Risk, Compliance and Sustainability (GRCS) landscape. The EA will ensure that the CEO’s time, decisions and stakeholder engagements are optimised to advance MBA Advisory’s mission of delivering high-quality advisory services that strengthen organisational integrity, accountability and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• 1. Executive & Advisory Support
  • Manage and optimise the CEO’s calendar, travel and engagements to ensure focus on strategic GRCS priorities.
  • Prepare, draft and review correspondence, thought leadership pieces, Board packs, proposals, and reports aligned to advisory services.
  • Conduct research and compile briefing notes on emerging governance, compliance and sustainability issues relevant to client work.
  • Anticipate the CEO’s needs in relation to client-facing assignments, regulatory meetings and advisory board engagements.
• 2. Governance & Stakeholder Coordination
  • Coordinate and support Board, Audit Committee, Risk Committee and Sustainability Committee meetings, including agenda setting, minutes and action trackers.
  • Act as a confidential liaison between the CEO and regulators, clients, professional bodies and industry stakeholders.
  • Ensure alignment between the CEO’s priorities and MBA Advisory’s governance, risk, compliance and sustainability commitments.
• 3. Risk & Compliance Tracking
  • Track and monitor the progress of strategic initiatives and client projects in governance, risk management and compliance.
  • Flag regulatory deadlines, sustainability disclosures, and governance obligations for CEO attention.
  • Support the CEO in preparing for compliance audits, sustainability reviews and stakeholder assurance processes.
• 4. Sustainability & ESG Support
  • Assist in preparing sustainability / ESG reports, dashboards and presentations for clients, regulators, and stakeholders.
  • Coordinate with internal teams on sustainability-driven projects, ensuring milestones are achieved and reported.
  • Support the CEO’s engagements in ESG forums, sustainability roundtables, and thought leadership initiatives.
• 5. Operational & Event Management
  • Manage CEO office-related budgets, travel and event logistics with a focus on sustainability practices (e.g., cost-effective, environmentally responsible solutions).
  • Coordinate client workshops, training sessions, and industry conferences relating to governance, risk, compliance and sustainability.
  • Handle confidential information with professionalism and integrity.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Diploma / Degree in Business Administration or related discipline.
• Additional training in corporate governance, compliance or sustainability will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an EA, PA, or Chief of Staff in a professional service, advisory or consulting firm.
• Exposure to GRC or ESG environments (e.g., corporate governance, compliance, sustainability reporting, risk management).
• Experience coordinating Board / Exco activities and producing executive-level documentation.

Skills & Competencies

• Executive support mastery : Calendar, travel and high-level correspondence.
• Governance literacy : Understanding of PFMA, MFMA, King IV, Companies Act, and ESG frameworks.
• Communication excellence : Drafting board reports, compliance updates, and sustainability presentations.
• Risk awareness : Ability to identify and escalate risks in projects or deadlines.
• Technology proficiency : MS Office Suite, board portals, virtual collaboration platforms.
• Confidentiality & discretion : Trusted to handle sensitive information.

Personal Attributes

• Professional, polished and client focused.
• Proactive, solutions-driven, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Integrity-driven with a commitment to governance and sustainability principles.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and results-focused.

Application Process

If you meet the requirements and are unable to apply via Placement Partner, kindly submit the following to

• Detailed CV
• Certified copy of Identity Document
• Certified copies of qualifications

Confidentiality

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Appointment & Remuneration

Permanent appointment, subject to a probationary period

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and skills, and is subject to negotiation.