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 CEO's 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 company's Ä°zmir 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 company's 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 CEO's 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 CEO's directives.
  


• Coordinate with corporate functions (HR, Finance, Legal) on matters requiring the CEO's 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 CEO's 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 CEO's 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.
  


• Bachelor's 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.