Executive assistant jobs in the UAE

About the role: Executive assistant

Executive assistants and personal assistants support senior leaders by managing their schedules, communications, travel and priorities, and often act as a gatekeeper between the executive and the rest of the organisation. In the UAE, they work for chief executives and directors of corporate groups, government entities, family offices and regional headquarters.

The role goes well beyond diary management: preparing board papers, following up on actions, coordinating events and handling confidential information are part of the job. Regional headquarters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often look for assistants able to manage complex international travel and several time zones, while government and family business roles may require Arabic.

Employers value experience supporting executives at a comparable level, polished communication and absolute discretion. Personal assistant roles for private individuals or families can involve household and lifestyle management, so read the job description carefully.

Main responsibilities

• Manage a complex calendar and priorities
• Organise travel, visas and itineraries
• Prepare presentations, briefs and board packs
• Track actions and deadlines on behalf of the executive
• Handle confidential correspondence

Skills employers look for

• Experience at senior executive level
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Arabic for many government and local roles
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
• Judgement, tact and discretion