
Grant Thornton
Executive Assistant to CEO
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
Job expiry date: 01/01/2026
Job overview
Date posted
17/11/2025
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Salary only
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Experienced
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/01/2026
Job description
The Executive Assistant to CEO at Grant Thornton UAE is a pivotal role within the Internal Client Services function, responsible for managing the CEOās time, priorities, and stakeholder interactions with precision and discretion. Based in Dubai, this role supports a global professional services firm of over 76,000 professionals across 150+ countries. The Executive Assistant acts as a trusted advisor, enabling the CEO to focus on strategic priorities while ensuring smooth daily operations, board governance, and stakeholder communication. Key functions include complex calendar and travel management across multiple time zones, preparing briefing materials, coordinating high-level meetings, and overseeing Board and Committee governance compliance. The role demands a high level of professionalism, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage sensitive information confidentially. Responsibilities span governance oversight, stakeholder engagement, operational and project support, and cross-functional coordination. The Executive Assistant will collaborate closely with senior leadership, global offices, and internal teams to facilitate seamless communication, ensure compliance with governance standards, and drive operational efficiency for the CEOās office. The ideal candidate will have deep experience supporting C-suite executives within multinational or professional services environments, exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and productivity tools. Knowledge of UAE visa and immigration procedures is preferred, along with resilience, discretion, and cultural adaptability in a fast-paced global setting.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, managing time, priorities, and strategic commitments
- Coordinate extensive calendar management across multiple time zones and anticipate scheduling conflicts
- Prepare briefing materials, agendas, and follow-up documentation for all CEO meetings and engagements
- Oversee end-to-end management of Board and Committee meetings, including agenda setting, document collation, and minute-taking
- Maintain governance frameworks and ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards
- Coordinate global travel logistics including flights, visas, accommodation, ground transport, and contingency planning
- Troubleshoot last-minute travel changes and ensure seamless execution of itineraries
- Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism
- Build and sustain strong relationships across local and international offices to ensure information flow and collaboration
- Support CEO-driven projects through research, analysis, and tracking execution of strategic initiatives
- Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvements to enhance operational performance
- Monitor deadlines and ensure the timely completion of CEO deliverables and commitments
- Assist with preparation of presentations, reports, and communications for internal and external audiences
- Represent the CEOās office in meetings and communications with discretion and authority
- Coordinate submission of governance and reporting documentation with senior leadership teams
Experience & skills
- Minimum of 10 yearsā experience providing executive-level support to C-suite leaders, preferably CEOs
- Proven experience managing Board and Committee governance processes
- Prior background in a global professional services or consulting firm strongly preferred
- Exceptional organizational, multitasking, and prioritization skills under tight deadlines
- Strong business acumen and ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong cultural awareness and adaptability
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and productivity software tools
- Knowledge of UAE visa and immigration processes is preferred
- Demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills across diverse teams and geographies
- Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex travel arrangements and logistics
- Experience in preparing high-quality reports, presentations, and strategic documents
- Strong attention to detail with proactive problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to manage global schedules, coordinate governance frameworks, and ensure regulatory compliance