Consulting Executive Assistant Job Description for CEO
Writing an effective job description is the foundation of a successful executive assistant hire. A well-crafted description attracts candidates with the right experience, sets clear expectations from the outset, and reduces the risk of misalignment after hire.
For consulting firms, generic job descriptions produce generic candidates. The consulting environment has specific demands that should be reflected in how you describe the role. This guide provides a complete job description template and explains the reasoning behind each component.
Job Title Considerations
The title matters more than it might seem. Titles influence which candidates apply, how the role is perceived within the firm, and how the EA is treated by stakeholders.
Options commonly used in consulting and professional services:
- Executive Assistant to the CEO (most common, clearest)
- Senior Executive Assistant (signals a higher-caliber role with greater responsibility)
- Executive Assistant and Operations Manager (appropriate when operational scope is significant)
- Chief of Staff (reserved for roles with genuine strategic and organizational responsibility)
For most consulting firms hiring EA support for a CEO or managing partner, “Executive Assistant to the CEO” or “Senior Executive Assistant” is appropriate. Use “Chief of Staff” only if the role genuinely involves strategic coordination across the firm, not just personal executive support.
Complete Job Description Template
Position: Executive Assistant to the CEO Company: [Firm Name] Location: [City/Remote/Hybrid] Reports to: CEO / Managing Partner
About the Role
[Firm Name] is a [describe firm: boutique strategy consultancy / management consulting firm / professional services advisory] serving [describe clients: enterprise clients in financial services / growth-stage companies / public sector organizations]. We are seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to support our CEO directly, managing a complex calendar, client communications, travel logistics, and operational coordination across a fast-paced consulting environment.
This is a high-impact, high-trust role that will sit at the center of our firm’s leadership operations. The right candidate brings professional services experience, exceptional written communication, and the organizational capability to manage competing priorities with precision and composure.
Key Responsibilities
Calendar and Schedule Management
- Own the CEO’s calendar, managing scheduling across client meetings, internal leadership sessions, and business development activities
- Protect focused work time for strategic priorities and client deliverable development
- Coordinate scheduling across multiple time zones for domestic and international client engagements
- Manage recurring meeting cadences and ensure preparation requirements are met before each session
Client Communication Support
- Draft professional correspondence in the CEO’s voice for client and partner communications
- Manage email triage and inbox organization, ensuring priority items receive timely attention
- Follow up on outstanding client communications and coordinate responses on routine matters
- Maintain relationship tracking notes and communication logs for key client contacts
Travel and Logistics Coordination
- Research and book domestic and international travel including flights, hotels, and ground transportation
- Prepare comprehensive travel itineraries incorporating all logistical details
- Manage loyalty program accounts and travel preferences across carriers and hotel brands
- Handle in-trip disruptions and rebooking as needed
- Coordinate expense reporting and reimbursement processes
Meeting Preparation and Follow-Up
- Research and prepare briefing documents before client meetings, prospect conversations, and leadership reviews
- Create and distribute meeting agendas with appropriate pre-read materials
- Capture action items during meetings and track follow-through to completion
- Distribute meeting summaries to relevant stakeholders
Document and Information Management
- Maintain organized filing systems for client documentation, engagement materials, and firm records
- Manage version control on key documents and ensure accessibility of critical information
- Prepare and format presentations, proposals, and reports as needed
- Handle document retrieval requests with speed and accuracy
Operational and Administrative Support
- Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and renewals for office and professional services
- Coordinate firm events, leadership offsites, and external conference participation
- Support BD pipeline tracking and proposal coordination processes
- Handle professional memberships, subscriptions, and certification renewals
- Manage expense reporting and financial administration as delegated
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience as an executive assistant, with at least 2 years supporting C-suite leaders in a consulting, financial services, or professional services environment
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills appropriate for senior professional environments
- Demonstrated experience managing confidential information with discretion and professionalism
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) or Google Workspace
- Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce or equivalent) and project management platforms
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and professional presence when representing the CEO externally
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a management consulting, strategy advisory, or Big Four professional services firm
- Familiarity with consulting workflows including proposal development, engagement management, and client billing
- Experience supporting executives who travel frequently to client sites
- Proficiency with additional tools including Asana, Concur, Slack, and Zoom
- Understanding of business development processes and proposal coordination
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary: $[range] (commensurate with experience)
- Performance bonus eligibility
- Comprehensive health benefits
- 401(k) with employer match
- Professional development support
- [Additional firm-specific benefits]
Notes for Customizing This Template
Adjust the Experience Requirement
For a boutique consulting firm where the EA will carry significant operational responsibility, five-plus years of experience is appropriate. For a smaller practice or a role with narrower scope, three-plus years may be sufficient.
Be Honest About the Work Environment
Consulting firms operate at an intense pace. If the role will regularly require urgent responses outside of standard work hours, say so clearly. Candidates who are expecting a nine-to-five environment will struggle with the realities of consulting executive support. Transparency upfront saves both parties from a frustrating mismatch.
Tailor the Technology Requirements
Specify the exact tools your firm uses. A candidate who lists Microsoft 365 proficiency but arrives at a Google Workspace firm faces an adaptation curve. Specificity attracts the right candidates and accelerates onboarding.
Consider What “Confidentiality” Means for Your Firm
If your consulting work involves particularly sensitive client sectors, such as financial restructuring, M&A advisory, government consulting, or healthcare, note this explicitly. Candidates should understand the confidentiality environment they are entering.
What Makes a Consulting EA Job Description Stand Out
Describe the CEO’s Working Style Honestly
Candidates who are deciding whether to apply will make a better decision, and you will attract better fits, if you describe the executive’s working style clearly. Does the CEO prefer daily briefings or asynchronous updates? Are they heavily detail-oriented or big-picture focused? Do they travel 40 percent of the time?
This information helps self-selecting the right candidates and reducing mismatches.
Explain the Opportunity, Not Just the Tasks
Strong candidates have options. Describe why this role is compelling: the quality of the firm’s clients, the pace and diversity of the work, the opportunity to develop skills in a high-performance environment. Sell the opportunity alongside defining the requirements.
For guidance on what to look for as you evaluate applications against this description, see our article on consulting EA candidate qualities.
Reference Growth Potential
The best EAs are ambitious professionals who are building their careers. If your firm offers development opportunities, mentorship, or a pathway to expanded responsibility, say so. This differentiates you from firms that treat EA roles as purely transactional.
Screening Applications Against This Description
When reviewing applications, prioritize:
- Relevant industry background: consulting, professional services, financial advisory, or similar sectors
- Evidence of supporting C-suite executives specifically, not just senior managers
- Writing quality in the cover letter and any correspondence
- Tenure in prior roles (frequent short-term placements are a yellow flag)
- Specific tools experience matching your firm’s technology stack
According to Harvard Business Review, the hiring process for executive assistants should involve multiple evaluation stages including written exercises, scenario-based interviews, and thorough reference checks.
For guidance on next steps after posting, including where to source candidates and how to conduct the evaluation process, see our guide on hiring a consulting EA.
Conclusion
A well-written consulting executive assistant job description does more than list tasks. It communicates the nature of the environment, sets accurate expectations, and attracts candidates who are genuinely prepared for the demands of the role.
Investing time in getting this document right is the first step toward a hire that will transform how you operate as a consulting CEO.
Related Reading
For further context, explore Consulting Executive Assistant Monthly Cost and Consulting Executive Assistant Service Comparison.