Executive PA / Assistant Courses

A personal assistant (PA), sometimes referred to as an exec PA, executive assistant, executive secretary or personal/private secretary, works closely with senior managers or directors to provide administrative support, usually on a one-to-one basis.  PAs help managers to make the best use of their time by dealing with secretarial and administrative tasks.  Salaries, particularly in London, can range from £25,000 to £50,000 in recognition of the importance of the role.

PAs typically need extensive knowledge of business, confidence, effective communication skills and first class computer and office skills such as touch typing and Microsoft Office.  Additional skills such as shorthand and audio transcription are also highly desirable.

Typical work activities include the following:

• screening telephone calls, enquiries and requests;

• meeting and greeting visitors at all levels of seniority;

• organising and maintaining diaries and making appointments;

• dealing with incoming email, faxes and post;

• taking dictation and minutes;

• carrying out background research and presenting findings;

• producing documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations;

• organising and attending meetings;

• liaising with clients, suppliers and other staff;

• deputising for the manager, making decisions and delegating work to others in the manager's absence;

• devising and maintaining office systems, including data management, filing, etc.;

• arranging travel and accommodation.

In addition to supporting managers, their team and departments, many PAs also have their own personal workload and responsibilities.  Some PAs do all the secretarial work themselves, while others take responsibility for recruiting and training junior staff and delegate some of their less demanding and confidential work to them.