Re-negotiating package due to changes?

[AgualusasL0ver]

This isn't something I am looking to do imminently, but just thinking through the various possibilities.

I work as an Exec Assistant. My new role was advertised and is a 1:1 role working with someone very senior, second only to the global CEO. In the end I was offered the role of working with the CEO until the other person came on board at which point we would get an additional person and both roles 1:1.

I have been covering both, whilst we do this - looking at various options where I could end up working with either of them, which is fine, they are quite different roles but both have their pros and cons.

Anyway, I made a joke suggesting I do both since they offer different things and I wasn't sure what I wanted to give up (plus more likely to be their decision than mine anyway). I was told that was impossible, both of their roles are two big for one person, which I agreed was true and it is. A few days later they asked if I wanted to give it a go and see, so I am trying.

But, it is impossible to stay on top of anything or add any real value. One of the roles has scope for so much more involvement and I am getting involved but at the expense of my evenings and I am unable to be proactive because I am always catching up. I've always had to put in extra hours, that is the nature of the role, but there is usually an outcome to that - e.g. an event I have worked on or similar.

I feel like:

1. The role is not remunerated well enough for the two most senior people in the organisation, especially given they were willing and intending to employ a second assistant. A significant pay rise would be welcome, though won't necessarily solve the actual problem. I would expect £20-25k and to be honest at this level in a global company it is slightly underpaid even as a standard 1;1. They were after all going to pay for x2 of me!
2. Asking for some admin support, I was thinking of pitching as an entry level opportunity, perhaps a secondment for our more junior staff, I know some of the team on reception would be keen or it could be a yearly contract that we offer for someone wanting to gain corporate experience. I know the other EAs in the team could use a little support too, but this would predominantly be for my team.
3. Or just saying I cannot make it work and asking for them to revert to 1:1 and being flexible around where that ends up.

For context, all 3 of us are new so there is a real element of working out what works best and they are very open to dialogue and chatting and trying different things. I would not plan to bring up some of this until about May/June when we have been doing it for nearly 5-6 months so that I have proper evidence to back me up and not that 'it is just busy'.

It wasn't a very good joke, if they took it seriously and asked you to do it!

I’d use this as an opportunity to recruit your own assistant / junior. Then you keep the kudos but split the work. Maybe you’ll end up with a team of juniors.

Oh and yes a pay rise is more than reasonable

Haha, no and to be fair she didnt laugh when I said it, but actually said it was out of the question and that she was worried I would burn out.

I think a Junior is a really good idea, I just dont get to or get to so many things late e.g. the dreaded expenses etc, but I would also be invested in helping that person develop. I have run teams before so would actually really like this option.

If you are having to use your evenings consistently to keep on top of the work, then you need to go back and tell them that they were right, the hybrid job is to big for one person. You need an assistant, not a pay rise. Always working evenings is not sustainable.

Assistant is a great idea, adds more seniority/opportunity for you, the optics of your attitude are more “go getter” and less “I want to work less” and is still cheaper for them overall (although I still think you should get a pay bump). Could you pitch your role as more of a Business Manager/EA role?

It’s a bit of a different dynamic. Usually, I would consider what I do more along the business management lines. Half of this job is pure logistics because there is a Chief of Staff and some others who pick up a lot of what I normally would, but the nature of the person means it’s still very very full on. The other half is way more interesting and lots of scope to be involved which I am, but I’m being very reactive at the moment as just too busy with the simple stuff.

You've clearly thought this through really sensibly love. Waiting until May or June to have proper evidence is smart, it shows you've given it a fair go and aren't just reacting to a busy patch. When you do raise it, I'd lead with option two, the admin support pitch, because it solves the problem without you having to give anything up and frames you as someone bringing solutions not complaints. The entry level secondment angle is clever too as it benefits the wider business. If that gets knocked back, then move to the pay conversation since they were literally budgeting for two salaries. Keep a log now of everything you're juggling so you've got concrete examples ready. You sound very capable and they clearly rate you, so don't undersell yourself when the time comes.

Thanks @sarahd89 I do genuinely want a good solution all round and whilst money is nice, it doesnt really solve the actual problem which is available hours in the day.