2 min read
Executive Assistants, could you do more?
And no, I’m not talking workload. I’m talking about increasing the strategic value of your work. Gone are the days when...
At Lily Shippen, we understand that a Personal Assistant (PA) is the cornerstone of effective business support. Whether you’re a fast-paced executive or a creative professional, the right PA can transform your workflow, ensuring that every task is handled with precision, discretion, and care.
Below is a comprehensive job description template for a Personal Assistant, suitable for businesses across London, Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds, or remote positions.
Job Title: Personal Assistant (PA)
Location: [Specify Location – e.g. London, Manchester, Remote, etc.]
Reports to: [Specify, e.g. Executive, Senior Manager, Director]
Salary: [Include range or competitive, based on market]
Type: [Full-time, Part-time, Temporary]
A Personal Assistant is responsible for providing high-level administrative support to executives or senior managers, enabling them to focus on strategic priorities. The role demands excellent organisation, proactive thinking, and an ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
The ideal candidate will be confident, discreet, and resourceful, with a flair for problem-solving. As a PA, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the daily operations of the business run smoothly and efficiently.
Diary Management: Proactively manage complex diaries, including scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements.
Travel Coordination: Plan and organise both domestic and international travel, including flights, accommodation, and detailed itineraries.
Correspondence: Handle all communication, including emails, phone calls, and post, ensuring a prompt response or escalation where necessary.
Meeting Preparation: Prepare agendas, presentations, and documents for meetings. Take minutes and follow up on action points.
Administrative Support: Provide general administrative support, including filing, document management, and maintaining office supplies.
Event Coordination: Organise internal and external events, from small meetings to large conferences.
Research & Reporting: Conduct research on behalf of the executive and produce clear, concise reports.
Confidentiality: Handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality at all times.
Personal Support: Where required, offer personal support such as managing personal appointments, payments, and other tasks.
Proven Experience: Previous experience as a Personal Assistant or in a similar role, ideally supporting senior management or executives.
Organisational Skills: Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
Tech-Savvy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the ability to quickly learn new software or systems.
Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills.
Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to changing priorities and requirements, with a positive and professional attitude.
Degree or relevant qualification (desirable but not essential).
Additional PA training or certifications (advantageous).
At Lily Shippen, we know that a great Personal Assistant is more than just a support role. A skilled PA is an enabler—someone who takes ownership of administrative tasks and helps executives to maximise their time and productivity. From streamlining operations to anticipating needs before they arise, a Personal Assistant is a critical asset for any business.
A role as a PA offers excellent career development opportunities, with many individuals progressing into Executive Assistant, Office Manager, or Chief of Staff roles. It’s a role that provides deep insights into business operations, helping you build a broad skill set that can lead to more senior positions over time.
At Lily Shippen, we not only place you in the right role but also support your long-term career growth. For those looking to take their career to the next level, our sister company eavolve (www.eavolve.co.uk) offers tailored coaching and consultancy services, designed to help you navigate your professional journey with confidence and clarity.
At Lily Shippen, we pride ourselves on placing exceptional Personal Assistants into roles where they can thrive. Our tailored approach ensures that both businesses and candidates are matched perfectly, ensuring long-term success for both. If you are looking to recruit a high-calibre Personal Assistant or if you're a PA seeking your next role in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cheshire, or remotely, get in touch with us today.
Hiring a Personal Assistant can have a multitude of benefits for you and your wider business. Personal Assistants are a fantastic way of getting the most out of your day, ensuring that you utilise your time as effectively as possible and can focus on growing your business, whilst they adeptly manage the everyday demands of seamlessly running an office.
We know that as a busy executive or overworked entrepreneur, with a seemingly never-ending "to-do" list, your time is precious. In fact, we'd argue that time is your most valuable asset. We constantly hear business owners say that there aren't enough hours in the day or that they wish they had another pair of hands. Hiring a Personal Assistant is the perfect solution to this problem; the right PA hire will be indispensable to you and your wider company, maximising your time and productivity and ensuring you prioritise the tasks that motivate you and enhance your business.
Every moment you can free up to focus on the growth and development of your business counts. A successful PA is a true extension of you and, over time, will be able to anticipate your needs and have everything in place, without you having to think about the minutiae.
Hiring the right Personal Assistant can transform the way your business operates. A great PA brings organisation, efficiency, and peace of mind to an executive’s busy schedule, allowing them to focus on what truly matters. Whether you’re hiring for a fast-paced role in London, an executive assistant in Manchester, or looking for a remote PA, Lily Shippen’s job description templates are designed to ensure that you attract the very best talent.
Looking to recruit the best Personal Assistants in the UK? Contact Lily Shippen today.
The biggest benefits of hiring a PA include:
To add strategic input and help to grow your business
To build relationships
To give you time back in your day
To keep you organised
To solve business problems
To act as a decision-maker
To strengthen your culture and brand
To boost your productivity
To enable you to have work/life balance
Personal Assistant salaries can range depending on location, responsibilities and the level of experience that you are looking for. In London, PA salaries range from £35,000 to £45,000, on average, for permanent roles, with contract rates of £17 - £22 per hour. Whereas, in Manchester, permanent PA roles typically attract salaries of circa £28,000 - £32,000, with contract rates coming in at £14 - £16 per hour. This is a similar story across the UK, with permanent PA positions in the regions averaging at £27,000 - £32,000, or £14 - £16 per hour for temporary contracts.
The role of a Personal Assistant and Executive has evolved so much in the last decade. Technology has aided this evolution, as PAs and EAs can be far more strategic with technology replacing the typically more administrative parts of their role.
It is worth noting that job titles differ across industries and organisations, and someone who is carrying out an Executive Assistant role could have the job title of Personal Assistant.
A Personal Assistant (PA) is someone who supports their executive(s) with duties to ensure their personal life and/or business life runs smoother. These duties range from managing diaries to coordinating meetings, booking travel and more.
An Executive Assistant (EA) is typically someone who supports their executive in a more proactive way. An Executive Assistant should be an extension of their boss, and will often make important decisions on their behalf.
You can read more about the role of an Executive Assistant (EA) here.
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