Executive Personal Assistant

Ernst & Young Global Limited; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global professional services firm seeks an Executive Personal Assistant in Gauteng, Johannesburg. The role involves managing diaries, client relationships, travel arrangements, and ensuring high-quality administrative support. The ideal candidate has experience in corporate environments, strong organisational skills, and the ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

• Experience in a corporate professional services environment is preferred.
• The confidence to engage with senior/high profile contacts.
• Attention to detail and ownership for high-quality work.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse teams.
• Strong organisational skills with a conflicting workload.

Responsibilities

• Act as an ambassador and first point of contact for allocated Partners.
• Provide comprehensive diary management.
• Proactively plan travels including visa assistance.
• Manage communications and delegate actions appropriately.
• Project manage internal events and compliance with budgets.

Skills

Experience in a corporate professional services environment

Strong organisational skills

Attention to detail

Confidence with senior clients

Ability to build relationships

Tools

Microsoft Office packages

Job description

Job title : Executive Personal Assistant

Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg

Deadline : October 23, 2025

Overview

Key responsibilities and requirements for the Executive Personal Assistant role.

Responsibilities

Relationship management

• Act as an ambassador and first point of contact for allocated Partners
• Develop and maintain internal and external networks, building knowledge of key client handling teams and issues in order to effectively identify and communicate priorities.
• Build strong relationships with clients and their PAs identifying opportunities to enhance EY’s reputation.

Diary and meeting management

• Provide comprehensive diary management in consultation with your Partners.
• Proactively monitor meeting attendance, taking ownership to ensure enquiries and issues are appropriately delegated and resolved effectively.
• Facilitate all logistical arrangements and ensure all documentation is prepared in advance of meetings – with oversight from a Manager / Advance Intermediate PA / Partner

Travel management

• Proactive itinerary planning, researching and considering reasonable alternative cost effective travel, to include assistance with visas.
• Maximise cost reduction opportunities, utilising preferred travel provider in line with travel and expenses policy.

Communication management

• Manage communications, monitor emails, post and calls taking appropriate action, escalating or delegating accordingly.

Events management

• Project manage events that only require internal bookings of rooms, catering and attendance management.
• Ensuring compliance with policies and approved budgets.
• Work with facilities to confirm logistical arrangements and attend events as required, proactively ensuring relevant documentation is available at the event as approved by the Partner / Manager.
• Manage budget in consultation with the Partner / Manager.

Time and expense management

• Prepare and submit timesheets.
• Collate and process expenses and invoices ensuring compliance with policy and approval process.
• Reconcile credit card / bank statements with receipts as appropriate.

General administrative and project support

• Delegate meetings, events, travel, accommodation and ad hoc tasks
• Maintain client contact and relationship databases.
• Provide ad hoc project support.
• Loading external training CPD hours
• Mercury S2P support
• Stationery maintenance
• Meet and greet visitors to EY offices.
• Provide cover for colleagues during absences as appropriate.

Experience and skills required

• Experience in a corporate professional services environment is preferred.
• The confidence to engage with senior / high profile contacts and clients and their teams.
• Attention to detail and ownership for the delivery of high-quality work.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse teams both locally and globally.
• Ability to work as part of a team, ensuring seamless service to the firm and clients.
• Confident approach to administration and agile to different Partner expectations
• The ability to plan ahead and anticipate potential problems.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise a busy and often conflicting workload.
• A flexible and professional approach, remaining calm under pressure.
• Knowledge of time zones and best means of travel between multinational locations.
• Broad knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
• Administrative / Management jobs