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Senior-level support staff professionals looking to progress into a new role can look to a business assistant job. This right-hand position typically involves working alongside a director or senior executive, helping to manage day-to-day operations and oversee business activity.
While the responsibilities will vary with the requirements of the principal, as well as the wider needs of the company, a business assistant can expect to manage key projects, provide business insights and take on tasks as delegated by their principal. They may also perform general assistant duties such as diary and travel management, as well as line manage other administrative staff.
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A business assistant job is often a senior position within an organisation. It can provide a great pathway to senior leadership and result in exposure to a range of business activities, as well as allow for the development of management skills. Someone in a permanent business assistant role can expect to develop high-level knowledge of their industry, contribute to important company decisions and share their knowledge with junior members of the team, making for a challenging but rewarding career choice.
A successful business assistant will be highly organised, possess exceptional communication skills and be one step ahead at all times. They will take a proactive approach to every task, managing their principal’s time and workload efficiently and effectively. The demanding nature of a business assistant job means it is fast-paced, requiring flexibility and an ability to think quickly and logically. Even a temporary business assistant is expected to pick things up quickly, resulting in a seamless support process for the principal.
As with any administrative position, a business assistant should also possess strong problem-solving skills, be able to work autonomously and as part of a team and broach every task with a positive attitude. Discretion is of the utmost importance.
The pathway to a business assistant job is varied, but generally starts with a PA position or team assistant position. From there, you may move to provide 1:1 support and eventually progress into an EA position. After developing and building your skills in this environment for a number of years and possibly for a number of different principals, your next step may be into a business assistant job.
In professional or financial services, a business assistant can expect to earn between £50,000-£100,000, while in creative and not-for-profit industries, an average salary is between £40,000-£60,000.
Finally, in a family office, a business assistant can expect a salary of £45,000-£80,000.
It’s worth remembering that the salary of a business assistant will depend on a number of factors – the scope of the role, the company, industry and the experience of the candidate.