Executive Assistant (Director Level) (Job Code:6167)

Job Title: Executive Assistant (Director Level)
Location: China (Manufacturing Base)
Reports to: Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Department: Executive Office

About the Role

We are a global manufacturing group with a substantial operational footprint. Our primary manufacturing base in China employs over 3,000 people, supported by regional operating centers across Asia, Europe, and the USA.

We are seeking a highly competent, polished, and strategically minded Executive Assistant to support our European CEO at the Director level. This is a high-visibility role that goes beyond traditional administrative support. The ideal candidate will act as a gatekeeper, a strategic partner, and a bridge between the CEO and the company’s diverse internal and external stakeholders. You will manage the interface between a Western executive leadership style and the local Chinese business environment, with a strong emphasis on government relations and high-level diplomacy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic & Government Relations Support

• Government & External Affairs: Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO and various levels of Chinese government agencies, local authorities, and industrial parks. Schedule and prepare briefing documents for meetings with government officials.

• Representation: Accompany the CEO to key meetings, industry forums, and official events, acting as a cultural and linguistic interpreter to ensure clear and effective communication.

• Crisis Management Support: Assist in monitoring the external political and regulatory landscape, providing the CEO with timely updates and risk assessments.

2. Executive & Global Schedule Management

• Complex Calendar Management: Proactively manage a dynamic and complex global calendar, coordinating across multiple time zones (Asia, Europe, USA) to prioritize the CEO’s time effectively.

• Global Travel Logistics: Orchestrate end-to-end international travel arrangements, including visas, complex itineraries, and accommodations, ensuring seamless transitions between the manufacturing site and global offices.

• Board & Committee Preparation: Prepare agendas, coordinate papers, and manage logistics for Board meetings and senior leadership team meetings.

3. Personal & Asset Management Support

• Asset Coordination: Assist in the management and administration of the CEO’s personal and corporate assets (both domestic and international) as required, coordinating with property managers, legal advisors, and financial consultants.

• Personal & Family Support: Handle ad-hoc personal matters for the CEO with the utmost discretion and confidentiality, allowing him to focus on business leadership.

4. Communication & Cross-Cultural Liaison

• Executive Communication: Draft, review, and translate high-level correspondence, presentations, and reports in both English and Mandarin.

• Information Bridge: Act as the “information hub” for the CEO, filtering critical information from the Chinese manufacturing site and global operating centers.

• Project Follow-up: Track key deliverables from various departments (Operations, Sales, Finance) on behalf of the CEO, ensuring accountability and timely execution of strategic initiatives.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, preferably supporting C-suite executives in a multinational corporation (MNC) within the manufacturing or industrial sector.

• Language Proficiency:

  • English: Full professional proficiency (written and verbal) is mandatory. Must be able to negotiate, persuade, and translate complex business concepts seamlessly.

  • Mandarin: Native proficiency.

• Cultural Intelligence: Deep understanding of Western business culture and communication styles, combined with a firm grasp of Chinese business etiquette, government protocols, and “guanxi” dynamics. Must be able to anticipate and bridge cultural gaps instinctively.

• Key Competencies:

  • Reactive & Agile: Ability to think on your feet and adapt to rapidly changing priorities in a fast-paced, global environment.

  • Diplomatic & Polished: Comfortable interacting with government officials, board members, and senior executives with poise and confidence.

  • Discretion & Integrity: Highest level of confidentiality regarding sensitive company information and personal matters.

  • Proactive & Organized: Strong project management skills with a “doer” mentality who can anticipate needs before they are expressed.

  • Tech Savvy: Proficient in MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) and virtual collaboration tools (Zoom, Teams).

Personal Attributes

• Open-minded and personable with a natural ability to build trust quickly.

• Calm and composed under pressure, demonstrating sound judgment.

• Resourceful and independent; requires minimal direction and takes full ownership of tasks.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work side-by-side with a visionary European CEO in a leading global manufacturing group.

• A dynamic role that offers exposure to high-level strategy, operations, and international affairs.

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and Director-level responsibilities.