Executive Assistant to the CEO

You don't just manage the CEO's calendar. You understand the business behind it. You know that a CEO's agenda is more than a list of appointments; it reflects priorities, relationships, commitments, and decisions. You know when to create space, step in, challenge, and quietly resolve something before it becomes an issue. You are equally comfortable managing the finer details of an executive's day and engaging with the bigger questions that occupy his attention. You connect people and information, bring clarity to complexity, and have an instinct for what matters.

Our client’s presence in Switzerland is shaped by an entrepreneurial culture, with direct access to decisionmakers and the agility to move things forward, backed by the strength and stability of an international group.

International Corporate Environment | Business Operations

Based in Zurich, you will work closely with the CEO and become an integral part of his professional world. This role suits someone who enjoys executive assistance, takes pride in doing it exceptionally well, and is equally enthusiastic about contributing to broader business matters, leadership coordination, and selected projects. Operating across countries, cultures, and time zones, the CEO has a demanding agenda. One moment, you may navigate competing priorities or prepare for an important meeting. Next, you may consolidate information, bring people together, or take ownership of a project. You should enjoy both sides of the role, as neither is secondary. Above all, this is an opportunity to build a close partnership with the CEO, grounded in trust, professional independence, and the pleasure of working together.

What Your Role Will Look Like

You will become someone the CEO can rely on to understand his priorities, anticipate what lies ahead, and identify where his time and attention are needed most. Managing his global agenda, travel arrangements, and daily commitments will remain essential. Equally important will be knowing what deserves his attention, what can wait, and what you can resolve independently. Beyond that, your responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring the CEO is prepared for all meetings with the right information and sufficient space to focus on leadership.
• Working closely with senior management and colleagues across the business to gather and consolidate information, prepare executive briefings and presentations, and turn complex topics into clear, useful material.
• Maintaining an overview of the CEO's commitments, ongoing initiatives, and potential risks, ensuring that important matters receive timely attention.
• Coordinating leadership meetings, forums, town halls, workshops, and international off-sites, from planning and preparation through to follow-up.
• Tracking agreed actions, responsibilities, and deadlines; working with stakeholders to ensure commitments are followed through; and identifying opportunities to improve established processes.
• Building rapport across functions and international teams, connecting people and business priorities, and keeping projects moving while knowing when to act independently and when to involve the CEO.
• Managing correspondence, expenses, and the many practical details that accompany a CEO's day with care.

The Experience You Bring

• A commercial education, ideally complemented by a bachelor’s degree in business administration and/or a CAS, such as Strategic Office Management.
• 10+ years of experience supporting C-suite executives in a role beyond traditional executive administration. While career paths aren't always linear, a history of stability remains a firm prerequisite.
• A background in an international corporate environment, with a strong understanding of organizational structures, executive governance, and processes, and exposure to financial services is a significant advantage.
• Proven experience managing complex executive agendas, events, and projects, collaborating with stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Exceptional communication skills, including preparing executive correspondence, presentations, briefings, and management materials.
• Native-level or C2 proficiency in English, written and spoken. German language skills would be an advantage.
• Excellent command of Microsoft 365 and modern collaboration platforms, digital tools, and AI-supported applications that enhance productivity.
• Flexibility to work across time zones, travel occasionally, and address urgent matters outside office hours.

And then there is your personality

Skills and experience alone won't be enough. We are looking for someone who understands the fundamentals of executive support, has fully embraced the evolution of the EA profession, can demonstrate how they have put modern ways of working into practice, and brings the personality that makes working with them a pleasure.

• You have a broad perspective, pay attention to details, and often anticipate needs before they arise.
• You enjoy making things happen, take ownership, and are confident in your abilities—ready to get involved.
• You communicate confidently and adapt naturally to diverse personalities, cultures, and situations.
• You understand the importance of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• You know when to offer a different perspective and when a decision simply needs to be made or followed.
• You are open to change and interested in finding better ways to do things.
• You don't lose your cool when plans shift or things get hectic. You simply adjust and find a way forward.

You will join an international organization with flat hierarchies and a culture that values collaboration and initiative. Based in modern Zurich offices, the position offers flexibility to work from home, mainly when the CEO is traveling. Regular office presence remains important to stay connected to the business and its people. A competitive compensation package, company benefits, and an attractive pension scheme complete the offering. If this sounds like an opportunity that might tempt you to explore something new, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV, reference letters, and educational certificates in chronological order as a single PDF to apply@barnickelfellows.ch, quoting reference «EA-BP-CEO», along with a brief email stating your salary expectations and availability.

Selected candidates will be invited to an initial video interview, followed by an online assessment. This position is for experienced EAs with a proven track record of supporting executives at a publicly listed company. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Switzerland, hold a valid Swiss work permit, or be a Swiss, EU, or EFTA citizen.

Barnickel & Fellows | Talstrasse 58 | 8001 Zürich | +41 44 243 86 68 | www.barnickelfellows.ch