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A career as a private PA is unlike any other. As the right-hand support to a senior executive or UHNWI, you are responsible for ensuring every element of their personal life runs smoothly, with tasks ranging from running errands to organising large-scale events or holidays.
No personal private assistant job is the same, with the exact responsibilities dependent on the requirements and lifestyles of the principal you are supporting. For example, you may provide assistance to a UHNWI who travels every second week, or you may look after the needs of a CEO and their family who live in central London. Generally though, there are a number of common responsibilities that you can expect as a private PA in London or elsewhere.
Many private PA jobs involve a balance of both private and business support. This split in responsibility can range from 80/20 private / business support to an even split of each.
Whether you are looking to support a couple, a family, a family office or an UHNWI, Tiger Private can help.
If you are on the hunt for a private personal assistant job, check out our latest vacancies below, or find our full listing on our jobs page.
Tiger Private specialises in placing exceptional candidates in private PA jobs in London and further afield. Whether you are an experienced PA looking for the next step in your career or a corporate PA seeking a change, our consultants can help you find your next dream job.
While there is bound to be variation in every private PA job, the position is centred around providing administrative and lifestyle assistance to a private individual or family. This means overseeing the general management of their personal life, including day-to-day support, household management, running errands, overseeing projects, managing properties, organising diaries and booking travel arrangements as needed. Other tasks may include gift buying, wardrobe management, caring for pets, visa applications, financial budget management, and assisting with business. It may also include financial management of budgets.
In cases where a private PA provides corporate support to their Principal, the most common additional duties include communicating with key executives, organising events, conducting research and diary management.
As with most senior support roles, a private PA job requires exceptional organisational and communication skills, as you need to stay one step ahead of your Principal at all times. You must work well to deadlines, adapting to changing arrangements at short notice and finding innovative solutions to immediate problems. As you are supporting an individual’s private life, flexibility is paramount in any private PA role.
A personal assistant in a private household will often be greeting UHNW guests, so must maintain a high degree of professionalism and understand the importance of discretion. This also applies to a travelling private PA, or someone working within a family office environment.
Those looking for a private PA job must be punctual, reliable and comfortable working independently – you may not have a team on which to rely, so will need to use your initiative to ensure tasks are completed. That said, taking on a private personal assistant job in London or elsewhere requires high-level collaboration skills, as you may be required to liaise with a business EA or manage household staff.
Depending on the nature of the Principal’s needs, a private PA may need an additional corporate skillset. In these situations, it is generally required to have strong secretarial and people management skills. Experience with managing finances and Microsoft Office are other common requirements.
What does a private PA do?
A private PA handles the running of a HNWI’s everyday life, whether they be a successful businessperson or a celebrity. The role will vary greatly depending on the needs of each Principal, but responsibilities generally include running personal errands, organising travel and managing their employer’s diary. A private PA is likely to liaise closely with their employer’s family and household staff.
A private PA’s job will usually involve the running of a household, from managing bills and private staff to coordinating with contractors, accountants and lawyers. Private PAs can be required to travel regularly with their employer and work unusual hours, making it a very demanding role.
How can I become a private personal assistant?
An employer of a private PA will almost always want to see relevant experience before hiring. The most common pathway to gain this experience is as a corporate PA.
Corporate environments allow for growth from an entry-level position administrative role. Many PAs use this time to become experts at organisation, communication and coordination.
At the more senior level, 1:1 support becomes more common for PAs or EAs in businesses, and a level of personal support for your employer is often required. Gaining this experience in 1:1 support is the final key to transition into a private PA’s role.
How much does a PA earn?
According to our latest salary survey, a corporate PA’s salary ranges from £40,000 to £65,000 in the UK, while a private PA’s salary ranges from £50,000 to £80,000.
How much is a personal assistant UK?
Data from our latest salary survey shows that PAs earn from £40,000 to £65,000 in a corporate environment.