Executive Assistant

Job Title Executive Assistant to the CEO & Founder Reports To CEO & Founder Location DIFC Headquarters, Dubai, UAE (primary); international travel as required Direct Reports N/A About j. awan & partners At j. awan & partners, we believe in "challenging the status quo every day", delivering seamless excellence to our customers across the world. We challenge the status quo by making tailor-made solutions to meet the specific requirements of our clients' business interests and delivering our solutions to their needs with effective simplicity. We understand that time is precious and, as such, our tailor-made solutions are simple to understand, simple to embed, and simple to use. We are a fast-growing international Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Consultancy headquartered in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), with offices across the UAE, KSA, UK & Ireland, Singapore, Portugal, Pakistan, Qatar, and South Africa. We also have our own technology company, azakaw, creating bespoke, cutting-edge RegTech solutions. We provide Regulatory Governance, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Recruitment, and Technology services to a large number of clients including global, regional, and local financial services institutions, governments, and other industry partners. The CEO & Founder leads the Group across all entities and jurisdictions, operating at the intersection of international regulatory consulting, technology, and rapid global expansion. The Executive Assistant to the CEO is the engine that keeps that leadership running at full capacity — a trusted, senior, and irreplaceable member of the executive office. About this Role This is not a standard administrative role. The Executive Assistant to the CEO & Founder of j. awan & partners operates at the heart of a fast-moving international business, providing comprehensive and proactive support to one of the most active senior executives in the GRC and RegTech space. The role demands exceptional judgement, discretion, and organisational capability, combined with the warmth, cultural intelligence, and personal commitment to serve as a seamless extension of the CEO in every interaction. The EA manages the CEO's professional world in its entirety — diary, communications, travel, meeting preparation, stakeholder liaison, and board-level coordination — while also providing trusted personal and family support where needed. The role-holder must be equally comfortable drafting a board briefing note and coordinating a family travel itinerary, managing a global schedule across eight time zones and anticipating what the CEO needs before they need to ask. The ideal candidate brings prior experience supporting a founder-level or C-suite executive in a high-growth international environment, combines a proactive mindset with meticulous attention to detail, and understands that the measure of an exceptional EA is the degree to which the person they support can operate at their absolute best. Mission / Purpose of the Role The Executive Assistant to the CEO & Founder exists to maximise the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the CEO. Every hour saved through better organisation, every meeting run on time and well-prepared, every communication handled with professionalism, and every logistical detail managed without friction is a direct contribution to the firm's performance. The role-holder is the primary gatekeeper, coordinator, and trusted confidant of the CEO, responsible for ensuring that the CEO's time is protected, their commitments are honoured, their communications are handled with accuracy and discretion, and their personal and family requirements are managed seamlessly alongside professional obligations. The EA operates across three dimensions simultaneously: executive support (professional schedule, communications, and board coordination), operational liaison (connecting the CEO with the Group's teams, clients, and partners), and personal support (family logistics, travel, and private administrative matters). The role-holder handles all three with equal professionalism, confidentiality, and care. 12–18 Month Mission Outcomes ("What Success Looks Like") These are the specific, measurable outcomes the Executive Assistant will be evaluated against during the first 12–18 months: 1. The CEO operates at full capacity with zero avoidable friction in their professional schedule, communications, or logistics. No missed meetings, appointments, or commitments attributable to scheduling or logistical failures. The CEO's time is consistently protected from avoidable interruptions. All meetings begin on time with the CEO fully briefed. Response rate to priority communications within agreed SLA at all times. 2. All CEO communications are managed with accuracy, professionalism, and appropriate prioritisation. Inbox managed with zero important correspondence missed or delayed. Draft communications produced to the CEO's tone and standard within agreed turnaround times. Internal and external stakeholders consistently experience prompt, professional, and considered responses. The CEO's brand is protected and enhanced in every interaction. 3. All domestic and international travel is organised flawlessly, with the CEO and their family experiencing seamless, stress-free journeys. Zero travel disruptions attributable to poor planning or booking errors. All visa, health, and documentation requirements met in advance. Contingency plans in place for all critical trips. Travel preferences consistently applied without the need to be reminded. 4. The CEO is fully prepared for every meeting, board session, client engagement, and public appearance. Briefing packs prepared and delivered in advance of every significant meeting. Research notes, agenda items, and relevant documents available before the CEO needs to ask. No meeting attended underprepared. Presentations, speeches, and materials drafted to a high standard and on time. 5. All UAE government, visa, residency, and documentation requirements for the CEO and family are managed proactively and compliantly. Zero lapses in visa, residency, or document validity. All renewals initiated and completed well in advance of expiry. Medical insurance and health requirements current at all times. Government obligations met without exception. 6. The CEO's personal and family administrative requirements are handled with the highest level of discretion, care, and reliability. Personal and family matters handled seamlessly with zero lapses or breaches of confidentiality. The CEO expresses confidence in the EA's handling of personal matters. Family travel, school, medical, and household coordination managed proactively and without prompting. 7. The EA operates as a trusted, highly regarded member of the executive office, building productive relationships across the Group and with external stakeholders. Positive feedback from the CEO, ExCo members, and external stakeholders on the professionalism and effectiveness of the executive office. The

The posting describes the role and desired profile but does not include a distinct list titled 'Requirements', 'Qualifications', or 'Minimum qualifications'. It mentions experience supporting a founder-level or C-suite executive in a high-growth international environment as ideal, but this is embedded in the role description rather than a labeled requirements section. Therefore, null.

The Executive Assistant to the CEO & Founder manages the CEO's professional world — diary, communications, travel, meeting preparation, stakeholder liaison, and board-level coordination — while also providing personal and family support. The role covers executive support, operational liaison, and personal support across three dimensions with confidentiality and high discretion. It includes ensuring meetings start on time, preparing briefing packs, managing inbox, coordinating travel, and safeguarding the CEO's time and commitments.