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Original poster

Executive assistant jobs

38 replies

Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:22

Hi all, I'm looking for advice on EA jobs.

I'm currently a Sales and Bid Manager and looking for a change. I have a degree in Event Management and have been in my current role for 3.5 years. I enjoy it, but sort of fell into sales after uni and want a change where I don't have to line manage anymore, but also don't want to take a massive financial hit. I'd be looking in London/ Sussex and would like a hybrid role. Is this likely with my background? I'd be looking at £55-£60k salary banding, is this realistic?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Motnight · 30/05/2023 19:28

That sounds like an extremely optimistic salary for what I assume would be an entry level executive assistant role to me.

BillyNoM8s · 30/05/2023 19:36

Have you done EA work before? That salary range is going to be wanting experience either supporting multiple directors or at an exec/corporate management/CEO level.

I have over 15 years' experience and still have to fight for these roles.

Employers are often very shortsighted. You're only deemed capable of being an EA if you've been an EA, and if you're an EA you're not worthy of being given a shot at something you're quite capable of. I'd think twice to be honest.

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:39

Motnight · 30/05/2023 19:28

That sounds like an extremely optimistic salary for what I assume would be an entry level executive assistant role to me.

Fair enough. I basically can't afford a pay cut, and Google said it was the norm for London, which is why I wondered if that was realistic w/out experience

OP posts:
BillyNoM8s · 30/05/2023 19:42

A lot of employers pay well below "the norm". And if they offer hybrid or remote they often cut it further. I was offered a fully remote EA role with KPMG and I managed to "push them up" to £32k... Hmm Big 4, my arse. Ridiculous salary.

fyn · 30/05/2023 19:42

I was earning that at 25 as an EA, 3 years after graduating. The thing I had was working for UHNW individuals in different roles that crossed over easily. Having the names on the CV is what got me the job really!

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:42

BillyNoM8s · 30/05/2023 19:36

Have you done EA work before? That salary range is going to be wanting experience either supporting multiple directors or at an exec/corporate management/CEO level.

I have over 15 years' experience and still have to fight for these roles.

Employers are often very shortsighted. You're only deemed capable of being an EA if you've been an EA, and if you're an EA you're not worthy of being given a shot at something you're quite capable of. I'd think twice to be honest.

No I haven't. I've always liked the idea of it, because I think it suits my skillset. If I'm totally honest I'd actually love to go into Project Management, but I have a young child (under 2) and I can't afford to take time out to study. I feel at a bit of a loss because I no longer love what I do, and need a complete change, but also feel like because I've been doing this since I left uni, I have no clue what else I could do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:43

BillyNoM8s · 30/05/2023 19:42

A lot of employers pay well below "the norm". And if they offer hybrid or remote they often cut it further. I was offered a fully remote EA role with KPMG and I managed to "push them up" to £32k... Hmm Big 4, my arse. Ridiculous salary.

Wow that's shocking!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:45

fyn · 30/05/2023 19:42

I was earning that at 25 as an EA, 3 years after graduating. The thing I had was working for UHNW individuals in different roles that crossed over easily. Having the names on the CV is what got me the job really!

That's interesting. Do you enjoy it? How did you start working for UHNW individuals?

OP posts:
Tudorfish · 30/05/2023 19:46

UHNW?

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:47

Tudorfish · 30/05/2023 19:46

UHNW?

Ultra high net worth

OP posts:
Whattodo112222 · 30/05/2023 19:49

That kinda salary in the city you'd be looking at 10 years experience minimum. I'm a EA of 12 years. 10 years spent in legal, finance and headhunting. My final salary in the city was £46k. I took a 10k paycut as I couldn't work in the city any longer. I now work for the NHS as a band 6 senior EA and I'm on 36k.. that's with 12 years experience.

You would not find a job paying what you want with zero EA experience. You just won't.

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:50

Whattodo112222 · 30/05/2023 19:49

That kinda salary in the city you'd be looking at 10 years experience minimum. I'm a EA of 12 years. 10 years spent in legal, finance and headhunting. My final salary in the city was £46k. I took a 10k paycut as I couldn't work in the city any longer. I now work for the NHS as a band 6 senior EA and I'm on 36k.. that's with 12 years experience.

You would not find a job paying what you want with zero EA experience. You just won't.

Ok thanks, good to hear others experience

OP posts:
fyn · 30/05/2023 19:54

@Ontheflipside_ I did enjoy it, I don’t do it at the moment. I married a soldier and have two little children so it doesn’t work with the moving around!

I started at 18 with an apprenticeship on our local country estate, the owner was a billionaire so had that on my CV before uni. Then went onto working live in (my own house in the grounds) until I had children, not quite a billionaire but close! It’s demanding and definitely not for everyone but I enjoyed it!

Look at private household firms if you are interested, your event management may help!

https://www.bainandgray.com/jobs/ea-and-office-manager-sustainable-lifestyle-brand-hybrid

Greycoats Lumley are another good one!

EA and Office Manager – Sustainable Lifestyle Brand (Hybrid)

This is an incredible role working for a fast paced and rapidly growing FMCG and Active Lifestyle Brand. An evolved start up and incredible company, voted in the top places to work. Brilliant benefits, fantastic team, lots of room for growth, job satis...

https://www.bainandgray.com/jobs/ea-and-office-manager-sustainable-lifestyle-brand-hybrid

mobear · 30/05/2023 19:59

I had about 6 years experience before I got to £60k (in London), not as an EA but a Legal PA. American and niche law firms will pay between £40-£60k max, other City law firms maybe £30-£40k. You don’t need any legal qualifications, law firms just tend to pay better.

However, have you considered BD Executive roles in law/professional services? I think with your background you’re more likely to achieve your desired salary in the short term and there is more scope in the long term to earn well beyond that.

EA/ Legal PA mostly caps out at £60k except for the occasional exceptional role or unless you move into private PA work for UHNW individuals which is extremely demanding (ie on call 24/7).

Private equity also pays well but it’s not an area I’ve worked in. Those roles all tend to be based around Mayfair. You’d still be looking at an initial drop though with no experience.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 30/05/2023 20:03

Check out the site secsinthecity (dot co dot uk). They have good London jobs.

frankly (I have worked for UHNWI) I think a corporate EA job is better with a small child. You will be expected to be on call a lot working for a UHNW and some jobs require international travel. Plusexperience with property, art, travel bookings, events, knowledge of certain lifestyle etc..

I know a couple of EAs on six figures (over 200k plus bonus) working for UHNWI but they have over 20 years of experience and are on call 24/7.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 30/05/2023 20:04

And yes you will definitely be called 24/7 and expected to drop whatever you are doing to sort out a flight from Tokyo for example.

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 30/05/2023 20:07

Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:22

Hi all, I'm looking for advice on EA jobs.

I'm currently a Sales and Bid Manager and looking for a change. I have a degree in Event Management and have been in my current role for 3.5 years. I enjoy it, but sort of fell into sales after uni and want a change where I don't have to line manage anymore, but also don't want to take a massive financial hit. I'd be looking in London/ Sussex and would like a hybrid role. Is this likely with my background? I'd be looking at £55-£60k salary banding, is this realistic?

Thanks in advance

I think you wont get that if you have 0 experience as an EA … your skills set could probably work for BD exec/co ordinator i suppose, law firms would pay well

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 20:08

fyn · 30/05/2023 19:54

@Ontheflipside_ I did enjoy it, I don’t do it at the moment. I married a soldier and have two little children so it doesn’t work with the moving around!

I started at 18 with an apprenticeship on our local country estate, the owner was a billionaire so had that on my CV before uni. Then went onto working live in (my own house in the grounds) until I had children, not quite a billionaire but close! It’s demanding and definitely not for everyone but I enjoyed it!

Look at private household firms if you are interested, your event management may help!

https://www.bainandgray.com/jobs/ea-and-office-manager-sustainable-lifestyle-brand-hybrid

Greycoats Lumley are another good one!

Ah I married an ex soldier 😉

Thanks so much for sharing that! Looks great 😃

OP posts:
hellesbells · 30/05/2023 20:11

Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 19:22

Hi all, I'm looking for advice on EA jobs.

I'm currently a Sales and Bid Manager and looking for a change. I have a degree in Event Management and have been in my current role for 3.5 years. I enjoy it, but sort of fell into sales after uni and want a change where I don't have to line manage anymore, but also don't want to take a massive financial hit. I'd be looking in London/ Sussex and would like a hybrid role. Is this likely with my background? I'd be looking at £55-£60k salary banding, is this realistic?

Thanks in advance

You will only achieve that sort of salary in the City of London, banking, private equity, and your definitely won't achieve it at entry level

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 20:11

mobear · 30/05/2023 19:59

I had about 6 years experience before I got to £60k (in London), not as an EA but a Legal PA. American and niche law firms will pay between £40-£60k max, other City law firms maybe £30-£40k. You don’t need any legal qualifications, law firms just tend to pay better.

However, have you considered BD Executive roles in law/professional services? I think with your background you’re more likely to achieve your desired salary in the short term and there is more scope in the long term to earn well beyond that.

EA/ Legal PA mostly caps out at £60k except for the occasional exceptional role or unless you move into private PA work for UHNW individuals which is extremely demanding (ie on call 24/7).

Private equity also pays well but it’s not an area I’ve worked in. Those roles all tend to be based around Mayfair. You’d still be looking at an initial drop though with no experience.

Thanks for replying. I haven't considered BD roles. It would depend what it looked like, otherwise it would feel like a regression as I currently manage a team of BDE's. I'd definitely consider key accounts in that industry. I'll take a look, thank you

OP posts:
howdoesyourgardengrowinmay · 30/05/2023 20:13

You can get a degree in Event Management??

Original poster
Ontheflipside_ · 30/05/2023 20:14

howdoesyourgardengrowinmay · 30/05/2023 20:13

You can get a degree in Event Management??

Yeah 😅

OP posts:
mobear · 30/05/2023 20:23

@Ontheflipside_ I guess the upside is if you don’t like line managing that you could earn £50-60k+ as a BD Executive in a law firm without having to line manage. Bigger law firms also have Bid Managers, so that might be another thing to look into.

bostonchamps · 30/05/2023 20:27

I'm an EA with 10 years experience in a niche part of finance in London, on 57k but our bonuses are huge. This years was 39%. So it's doable.

But.

I also play a big part in recruiting other EAs. We're looking for experience. Anyone can say they can juggle six diaries and multi leg travel and visa and expenses and etc etc, but proof is in the pudding. We recruit non-experienced team assistants (from various sectors, and various ages), with a starting salary of 25k + bonuses and bens.

Yetisrus · 30/05/2023 20:35

Why EA work? It's not a job for everyone and not a job everyone can do. You have to work with big egos and massive divas. My directors are all brilliant but they're also a lot of work. There's a lot of pandering to them, making them feel special.

I love my job but it's bloody hard work and definitely not, not stressful.