1430.01 Executive Assistant to CEO

Job Description

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Position Overview

Our client the Turkey operation of an international manufacturing group is seeking a highly capable discreet and proactive Executive Assistant to support its newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO is a Japanese national (expatriate) who communicates primarily in English and does not speak Turkish.

This is a dual-mandate role combining high-level executive support with hands-on business and personal coordination. The Executive Assistant will act as the CEOs right hand and primary point of contact managing the office bridging language and cultural gaps supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring the timely execution of action plans. The role suits a confident service-oriented professional who is equally comfortable handling sensitive corporate matters and the practical realities of an expatriate executive settling into a new country.

Reports To

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Turkey
  

Location & Working Model

• On-site at the companys İzmir Turkey office with flexibility to support the CEO outside standard hours when business needs require.
  
• Occasional travel within Turkey and where needed internationally to accompany or support the CEO.
  

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

• Act as the primary point of contact between executive management and internal/external stakeholders facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
  
• Manage executive-level communications in a fast-paced environment ensuring messages are clear timely and appropriately tailored to each audience.
  
• Support the CEO in preparing internal communications to the companys leadership team.
  

Strategic & Business Decision Support

• Assist in the development and execution of strategic initiatives providing insights and support for executive decision-making.
  
• Conduct research and analyze industry trends to inform executive strategies and actions.
  
• Gather organize and summarize information into concise analyses comparisons and options for the CEOs review.
  
• Support the CEO in tracking action plans monitoring progress deadlines and commitments and proactively flagging risks and required actions.
  
• Liaise with department heads and external partners to follow up on initiatives and ensure timely execution of the CEOs directives.
  
• Coordinate with corporate functions (HR Finance Legal) on matters requiring the CEOs attention.
  
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Language & Cultural Bridge

• Serve as the primary interpreter and translator between the CEO and Turkish-speaking stakeholders (internal teams clients suppliers authorities).
  
• Translate documents correspondence and official paperwork between Turkish English and where possible Japanese.
  
• Facilitate smooth communication and cultural understanding between the Japanese
  
• CEO and the local organization.
  

Executive & Office Support

• Manage the CEOs calendar scheduling and prioritization of meetings ensuring optimal use of time.
  
• Organize and prepare meetings: agendas briefing notes background research and follow-up action tracking.
  
• Screen and manage incoming communications (email calls correspondence) responding or routing on the CEOs behalf.
  
• Coordinate domestic and international travel: flights accommodation visas transfers and detailed itineraries.
  
• Prepare format and proofread business documents presentations and reports in English.
  
• Maintain confidential files and handle sensitive information with absolute discretion.
  

Personal & Relocation Assistance

• Assist the CEO with personal and lifestyle matters related to living in Turkey (housing services appointments local administration).
  
• Help navigate Turkish bureaucracy and official procedures (residence/work permit support banking utilities healthcare logistics).
  
• Provide general day-to-day support to ensure the CEO can focus on business priorities.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• English: excellent fluent professional business-level written and spoken command (mandatory).
  
• Japanese: good to advanced able to communicate and translate comfortably (strongly preferred / key differentiator).
  
• Turkish: native or fluent to act as a bridge with local stakeholders and authorities.
  
• Bachelors degree preferably in Business International Relations Translation or a related field.
  
• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant Personal Assistant or similar role supporting senior management ideally in an international or multicultural environment.
  
• Experience in managing executive-level communications in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Strong organizational planning and multitasking skills with high attention to detail.
  
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint) and common digital productivity tools.
  

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Proven ability to lead and inspire with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  
• Innovative thinker enthusiastic about developing and implementing creative solutions.
  
• Absolute discretion integrity and reliability when handling confidential matters.
  
• Proactive anticipatory mindset solves problems before they escalate.
  
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with Japanese management culture.
  
• Calm and composed under pressure with strong judgment and a service-oriented attitude.
  

What We Offer

• A central high-visibility role working directly with the senior leadership of an international company.
  
• A dynamic multicultural environment bridging Japanese Turkish and global business practices.
  
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and the seniority of the role.