The Assistant to the CEO exists to protect CEO bandwidth, improve decision quality, and enforce clear ownership across the organization.
This role is not general administrative support. It is a decision-gatekeeping and follow-through role that ensures the CEO is involved only when her judgment is required. The Assistant owns what reaches the CEO, how it reaches her, and whether it is ready.
Non-negotiable: The Assistant to the CEO is the gatekeeper of the CEO’s time and attention. Work is routed to the CEO only when it falls within the CEO Execution Lanes and meets the “ready to approve” standard.
CORE OWNERSHIP AREAS
1. CEO Bandwidth Protection
• Act as the primary gatekeeper for anything routed to the CEO
• Prevent review creep, unnecessary approvals, and reactive escalation
• Keep the CEO’s calendar, inbox, and task list limited to CEO Execution Lanes only
• Remove, reroute, or resolve work that does not require CEO judgment
2. CEO Execution Lanes
- Product Development – new offers, IP, frameworks, pricing/packaging, positioning
- Client Strategy – high-level direction, channel/ICP shifts, budget allocation
- Client in Red Zone – churn risk, escalations, reputation risk
- Sales – meetings, pipeline time, pricing, closing, approved partnerships
- Decision-Ready Intake & Communication
- Ensure all items brought to the CEO are decision-ready
- Convert messy inputs into clear, concise decision briefs
- Intercept “CEO didn’t explain this clearly” moments by identifying what information is missing
- Ask precise clarifying questions instead of escalating confusion
3. Ready for CEO Standard
- Outcome – What does “done” look like?
- Decision Boundaries – What key information must the CEO know to decide? (deadline, money, risk, scope)
- Ownership – Who is deciding? (CEO decides / owner decides / CEO informed only)
- Loop-In Point – When does the CEO need to be involved? (now, only if X, final only)
- If any element is missing, the Assistant fills the gap before bringing the item to the CEO
4. Closed-Loop Execution & Follow-Through
• Track CEO decisions and translate them into clear next steps
• Assign owners and due dates for all action items
• Ensure follow-through without requiring CEO involvement
• Close the loop by confirming completion and documenting outcomes
5. Executive Operations (Light)
• Own the administrative layer that prevents friction for the CEO (calendar, travel, docs, prep)
• Prepare meetings with clear agendas, desired decisions, owners, and next steps
• Ensure the CEO enters meetings prepared for decisions, not context gathering
• Maintain reliability across recurring executive workflows
• Project manage any special projects (pro bono, etc.) as required by CEO
Job Overview
Requirements
Education & Experience
Prior experience supporting senior leadership or executives
Experience in administrative, operations, or coordination roles
Skills & Expertise
Strong organizational and prioritization skills
High integrity and discretion
Clear communicator who asks precise questions
Clear written and verbal communication
Strong judgment and comfort in making triage decisions
High discretion with confidential information
Systems-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Strong attention to detail
Physical & Work Requirements
Ability to work four days per week (20-32 hours)
Ability to work at a computer and attend meetings for extended periods
Required Skills
Benefits & Perks
This position starts as a part time position (20-32 hours per week).