Executive Assistant / Executive Business Partner to CEO

Join the CEO Office and play a pivotal role in turning priorities into progress.

We are seeking an Executive Assistant / Executive Business Partner who brings together executive support, business intelligence, strategic thinking and strong execution.

This is not a conventional PA or secretarial role.

The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership, supporting executive priorities while contributing tobusiness analysis, strategic projects, management reporting, stakeholder management and cross-functional execution.

We are looking for someone who isproactive, intellectually curious, highly organized, commercially aware and comfortable operating in a fast-paced business environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the CEO to manage and drive multiple business priorities and initiatives.
• Track key decisions, action items, owners and deadlines, ensuring timely follow-through.
• Prepare executive presentations, management reports, business summaries, dashboards and decision briefs.
• Conduct research on markets, companies, competitors, customers and potential business opportunities.
• Support the CEO on strategic and cross-functional projects.
• Analyse business information and provide clear, structured insights to support management discussions.
• Coordinate with senior leadership and functional teams to drive execution of key priorities.
• Support preparation for management meetings, business reviews and strategic discussions.
• Follow up with stakeholders to ensure agreed actions are completed within timelines.
• Communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, consultants, international partners and senior stakeholders.
• Identify potential issues, gaps and priorities proactively and bring them to the CEO's attention.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive business information.
• Leverage AI, technology and digital productivity tools to improve research, reporting and executive effectiveness.
• Independently manage priorities with minimal supervision while remaining closely aligned with the CEO's objectives.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• 5–10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Previous experience working closely with a CEO, Managing Director, Founder, Chairman or C-Suite executive.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong business and commercial understanding.
• Exceptional sense of urgency and proactive follow-through.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand complex business discussions and translate them into actionable outcomes.
• Strong experience in preparing presentations, reports, executive summaries and management information.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Comfortable working with AI and digital productivity tools.
• High level of confidentiality, discretion and professional maturity.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Relevant Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be particularly relevant:

CEO Office | Executive Business Partner | Strategy & Operations | Business Analysis | Strategic Projects | Project Management | Commercial Operations | Management Consulting | Business Intelligence | Management Reporting | Executive Support

Industry Exposure

Experience in engineering, industrial, manufacturing, energy, oil & gas, marine, ports, logistics, infrastructure, trading or diversified business groups will be an advantage.

UAE/GCC Business Experience Is Strongly Preferred.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Management, International Business or a related discipline.

MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate Is Someone Who

• Anticipates rather than waits.
• Researches rather than simply forwards information.
• Prioritizes rather than merely organizes.
• Follows through rather than simply reminds.
• Understands the business context behind management decisions.
  
  

You should be comfortable moving beyond traditional executive support and contributing to business discussions, analysis, strategic projects and execution.

Career Potential

This role offers the opportunity to develop along the following path:

Executive Assistant → Executive Business Partner → Strategic CEO Office / Chief of Staff

We are therefore looking for someone with high learning agility, intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness and leadership potential, who is interested in building a long-term career alongside the CEO Office.