Executive Assistant / Travel Co-ordinator

Executive Assistant / Travel Co-ordinator Location: Dubai, UAE Employment Type: Full-time Working Pattern: Dubai office and remote Industry: Finance Start Date: ASAP An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Executive Assistant / Travel Co-ordinator to join an established support team in Dubai. This is a hands-on role combining high-level EA support with extensive global travel coordination. The Principal travels frequently between Dubai, London and New York, with additional travel across the US and Asia. The volume and complexity of travel has grown to the point where a dedicated person is needed to take ownership of this area, working alongside two existing assistants. The successful candidate will be highly organised, proactive and comfortable working at pace. They will take responsibility for coordinating travel from start to finish, while also providing broader day-to-day EA support, with travel always front of mind. This is a role for someone who enjoys being the person who knows exactly what is happening, what needs to happen next, and what could potentially go wrong before it does. The Role The successful candidate will take ownership of the Principal's domestic and international travel arrangements, coordinating complex itineraries across multiple time zones while also providing broader executive and personal support. Working alongside two existing assistants, you will become the key point of contact for travel planning and logistics, ensuring every detail is carefully considered and that the Principal and family are supported seamlessly from departure through to arrival. The role requires excellent judgement, strong travel knowledge and the ability to remain calm and solutions-focused when plans change at short notice. Key Responsibilities Travel Management • Take full ownership of domestic and international travel arrangements for the Principal and family. • Coordinate complex global itineraries across multiple time zones. • Arrange commercial and private flights, accommodation, ground transportation and other travel requirements. • Book and coordinate hotels, villas, private residences and other accommodation as required. • Manage restaurant reservations and other arrangements connected to travel. • Liaise with travel agents, operators, hotels, airlines, private aviation providers and other suppliers. • Research and present suitable travel options, using sound judgement around convenience, timing and preferences. • Manage changes, cancellations and last-minute requests calmly and efficiently. • Ensure all itineraries, confirmations and travel information are accurate, up to date and easily accessible. • Anticipate potential issues and proactively put solutions in place. Executive Assistant Support • Provide day-to-day PA/EA support to the Principal within a busy business environment. • Manage calendars, appointments, meetings and scheduling. • Coordinate diaries across different locations and time zones. • Assist with meeting preparation, correspondence and general administration. • Coordinate logistics around business meetings, events and commitments. • Liaise with colleagues, family members, suppliers and external contacts on the Principal's behalf. • Support personal and family arrangements where required. • Maintain a high level of discretion when handling confidential business and personal information. • Work closely with the Principal's existing assistants to ensure the wider support function operates smoothly. About You The ideal candidate will have strong, proven EA/PA experience, ideally supporting a senior executive or Principal in a demanding business environment. You will have extensive experience coordinating complex domestic and international travel and a strong understanding of travel planning, including flights, accommodation, ground transport and associated logistics. You will be highly organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple trips and changing itineraries simultaneously. Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure are essential. You will be someone who anticipates needs rather than simply responding to requests, with sound judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach to unexpected situations. Essential Experience • Strong, proven EA/PA experience, ideally supporting a senior executive or Principal. • Experience within a corporate, finance, investment or similarly fast-paced professional environment. • Extensive experience coordinating complex domestic and international travel. • Excellent knowledge of travel planning, including flights, accommodation, ground transport and associated logistics. • Experience managing multiple trips and changing itineraries simultaneously. • Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills. • Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure. • Excellent communication skills and confidence dealing with senior individuals and external suppliers. • Strong judgement and problem-solving skills. • High levels of discretion and confidentiality. • Ability to work independently while also being a collaborative member of an established support team. • Flexibility around working hours when required by international travel and different time zones. Desirable Experience Previous experience within a luxury travel agency, corporate travel environment, private aviation or travel management company would be beneficial, but is not essential. What matters most is strong EA experience combined with a genuine depth of travel knowledge and the ability to manage complex arrangements independently. Key Attributes • Highly organised and detail-oriented. • Fast, accurate and resilient. • Naturally proactive, with the ability to anticipate requirements. • Calm and practical when dealing with last-minute changes. • Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement. • Excellent communicator. • Discreet and highly trustworthy. • Comfortable working at pace and managing competing priorities. • Able to take ownership and work independently. • Collaborative and comfortable working as part of an established support team. Working With the Existing Team The Travel Co-ordinator will work closely with the Principal's two existing assistants. The purpose of the role is to take ownership of the significant travel requirement, while providing wider EA support as needed. This is a collaborative environment, and the successful candidate should be comfortable working as part of a team while also being trusted to manage their own area of responsibility independently. Why This Role This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant