Becoming an executive assistant: duties, skills and career prospects

Updated on 2026-10-31

What does the job involve?

The executive assistant is the right hand of a manager or a management team. They organise the diary, prepare meetings, filter and process information, and act as the link between management and its contacts, both inside and outside the company.

It is a job built on trust and versatility: you handle dashboards as well as projects and events, often in both French and English. It suits people who are organised, discreet and enjoy having an overview of the business.

Day-to-day duties

In practice, the main duties are:

  • Organising and following up the management team's activities: diaries, travel, meetings
  • Designing management dashboards and presenting business figures
  • Streamlining the department's administrative processes
  • Acting as the spoken link with internal and external contacts, in French and English
  • Monitoring information and sharing the key points
  • Preparing, coordinating and following up a project or organising an event
  • Carrying out a communication initiative, in French and English

Skills and qualities sought

  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities
  • Discretion and respect for confidentiality
  • Confident written and spoken French and English (B1 level minimum)
  • Command of office and collaboration tools
  • Initiative, tact and good interpersonal skills

Where can you work?

Executive assistants can work in every sector:

  • SMEs, mid-sized companies and large groups, at head office or with an operational department
  • Government departments, local authorities and public bodies
  • Associations, foundations and international organisations
  • Consulting, law and advisory firms

Career progression and further studies

The Executive Assistant professional qualification is at level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education. With experience, you can support an executive committee, coordinate a department or specialise (projects, communication). To go further, several study options are open to you:

  • BTS Support à l'Action Managériale – SAM (Higher National Diploma in Management Support)
  • BUT Gestion des Entreprises et des Administrations – GEA (Bachelor of Technology in Business and Public Administration Management)
  • Licence professionnelle (Professional Bachelor's degree) in executive assistance

Salary

There is no single salary for this job: pay depends on your experience, the size of the company, the region and the applicable collective agreement. For reliable, up-to-date benchmarks, check the France Travail job sheet (ROME M1604).

Train with Assistant Academy

Assistant Academy prepares you for the Executive Assistant professional qualification (level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education), a certification recognised by the French State. The programme lasts 400 hours and can be followed remotely, in enhanced remote mode or on site at our premises in Gennevilliers. The course is eligible for CPF funding (France's personal training account).

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