Senior Executive Assistant

Handshake Handshake · Enterprise · San Francisco, CA · General & Administrative

This role is for a Senior Executive Assistant supporting three C-level executives at Handshake. The primary responsibilities include complex calendar management, meeting coordination, travel booking, expense reporting, and supporting special projects. The role also involves acting as a strategic partner to executives, planning team events, and coordinating interviews with the recruiting team. A key aspect is leveraging technology and AI-powered tools to improve efficiency and streamline workflows. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of EA experience in a fast-paced tech environment, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to exercise judgment and discretion.

What you'd actually do

  1. Complex calendar management and internal and external meeting coordination across three C-level executives, balancing competing priorities and maximizing executive effectiveness.
  2. Schedule internal and external meetings; follow up with guests to confirm attendance and help compile and prepare meeting materials.
  3. Assist with booking travel, including airline and hotel, and ground transportation arrangements, and prepare detailed itineraries for executives.
  4. Manage expenses and expense reporting for executive leaders.
  5. Act as a strategic partner to executives by anticipating needs, proactively solving problems, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline operations.

Skills

Required

  • 5+ years of Executive Assistant experience supporting senior executives, preferably within a high-growth technology company or similarly fast-paced environment.
  • Proven experience supporting multiple senior leaders simultaneously with exceptional attention to detail and prioritization skills.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management abilities with a strong bias toward action.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive situations with discretion.
  • High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization.
  • Resourceful, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.
  • Experience planning complex travel, offsites, team events, and executive meetings.
  • Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, Workday, and modern productivity platforms.

Nice to have

  • Experience leveraging AI and automation tools to improve efficiency and streamline administrative workflows is a plus.
  • Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to collaborate, share best practices, and support fellow members of the Executive Assistant team.
  • Passion for problem-solving, continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional support.

What the JD emphasized

  • Leverage technology, AI-powered tools, and process improvements to increase efficiency, automate routine tasks, and enhance executive support workflows.
  • Experience leveraging AI and automation tools to improve efficiency and streamline administrative workflows is a plus.