The Evolving Executive Assistant: Free Guide from Lily Shippen
The Executive Assistant role has been transformed. No longer confined to traditional administrative tasks, today’s EAs are strategic operators, trusted advisors and key contributors to business performance. As expectations shift, so too must the skill sets and mindsets behind the role.
At Lily Shippen, we speak to Executive Assistants and hiring managers every day. This guide has been created to help you understand the evolution of the role and what it means for employers and EAs alike.
Ready to understand how the Executive Assistant role is changing?
Why the Executive Assistant Role is Changing
The modern workplace is more dynamic, tech-led and leadership-driven than ever before. As a result, Executive Assistants are stepping into broader, more influential positions. Today’s EAs are often involved in:
- Strategic planning and leadership support
- Project and operations management
- Stakeholder communications
- Board and investor coordination
- Technology and systems integration
- Business continuity and risk awareness
To thrive, EAs need strong commercial acumen, emotional intelligence and the ability to anticipate needs before they arise.
Looking to build a future-ready EA team?
What You’ll Learn in the Guide
This free guide explores how the Executive Assistant role is evolving and why it matters. Packed with insights from our expert consultants, it covers:
- The top trends shaping EA responsibilities
- Skills in demand and how they’ve changed
- How to position yourself as a strategic EA
- What businesses are looking for when hiring
- Tips for building high-performing business support teams
Need help shaping your EA job brief?
Explore our job description templates
Who This Guide Is For
This guide has been designed for:
- Senior leaders and founders hiring Executive Assistants
- HR professionals and talent teams defining EA role scope
- Executive Assistants looking to progress their careers
- Personal Assistants seeking to transition into EA positions
- Office Managers or Chiefs of Staff with EA oversight responsibilities
Download Your Free Copy
Stay ahead of the curve. Understand the trends, skills and expectations defining the modern Executive Assistant. Whether you’re building a career or a team, this guide will help you do it with confidence.
Hiring an Executive Assistant?
Discover how we recruit high-performing EAs for businesses across the UK.
Hiring for other roles too?
We also place PAs, Office Managers and Chiefs of Staff.
Looking for a complete overview of the Executive Assistant role?
Explore our in-depth page about Executive Assistant Recruitment covering responsibilities, key skills, salary expectations and how to hire successfully.
Executive Assistant Recruitment:
FAQs About the Evolving EA Role
Business complexity, digital transformation and leaner executive teams have driven the evolution of the EA role. Many are now expected to manage projects, act as strategic partners and support senior leaders beyond traditional admin functions.
Today’s top-performing EAs are commercially aware, highly organised and tech-savvy. They must be proactive, emotionally intelligent and able to manage upwards while navigating complex business environments.
Yes. The guide is valuable for Personal Assistants, especially those looking to step into Executive Assistant roles or broaden their remit. The insights apply across both titles, which are often used interchangeably depending on the business.
Yes. Lily Shippen is a specialist EA recruitment agency working with clients across the UK. Whether you’re hiring for a permanent, temporary, remote or board-level role, we can help.
The only suite of courses designed especially for EA & PA professionals.
Our courses are designed by our team of experienced EA & PA recruiters, along with a selection of ex-high level EA professionals, plus a selection of specialists in emerging subject areas to bring an additional expertise and an external perspective.
Free Mentoring Programme
Free support. Real results.
A free, 12-week mentoring programme for Executive and Personal Assistants, created by Lily Shippen and eavolve. Structured support, expert guidance, and tangible results.
Who are your
mentors?
Carefully selected, experienced, trusted EA/PA professionals, providing support, guidance, and wisdom to help their mentees reach their full potential, in their personal and professional lives.
Who are your
mentees?
EA/PA professionals seeking guidance and support from a more experienced person, with the goal of enhancing and strengthening their personal and professional lives.
