Executive Assistant (freelance, to a founder)

I'm recruiting on behalf of a founder I work with. It's a small, purpose-led business that's growing steadily, and the founder needs time and attention protected so more of it goes to clients and the work itself. That's what this role should make possible.

The role in a line: Managing a founder's inbox and diary, so their time and attention go where they matter most.

Where it starts

  • The inbox, day-to-day. Sending holding emails, following up, making sure the people already working with the business hear back first.

  • The diary, and what goes into it. Scheduling meetings, protecting focus time, and looking ahead at the week. Travel, prep time and deadlines should be in there before they're needed, not on the day.

  • Keeping track of what's been promised. When the founder says "I'll send that over", you make sure it happens.

  • And some light admin alongside that. Organising catering for a workshop, booking travel, making a reservation, that sort of thing.

Staying in step

A short, regular touchpoint with the founder, so they know what needs them and what's already handled. That might be a quick message at the end of the day, or a check-in once a week. We'll shape it together once you've started.

Where it could grow

Once you're settled, and if it feels right for both sides, there's room to take on more.

  • Managing a task list

  • Bookkeeping

  • Turning meeting notes into clear next steps

  • Keeping the CRM up to date and building contact lists

It grows with the relationship, and with what you'd enjoy taking on.

How you'll work

Things move fast around the founder, and a lot pulls at their attention at once. Your job is to bring some calm into that, but by learning how they actually work and building around it.

They trust their diary. If you put it in there, they'll do it, and that's what makes them feel on top of things rather than carrying it all in their head. Their inbox will always pull at their focus; that's not going to change, but you can be the reason it doesn't have to.

You won't be advising on the business or how it's run. The job is to keep the inbox, diary and follow-through running smoothly, so the founder can do the thinking.

I'll help you design the early ways of working and get them properly embedded. After that, you'll be working directly with the founder day-to-day. I'm on hand to refine things, clarify, or step in if they're not around, but the relationship that matters here is between the two of you.

Who I'm looking for

Someone proactive and good with detail, quick to respond and comfortable with regular admin. Someone who spots what's coming before it becomes urgent, and knows when to handle something and when to flag it. They understand what a founder needs to really feel capacity, and they're confident enough to protect that time, even from the founder, while building the way of working together.

Practicalities

Freelance, around half a day (3.5 hrs) a week to start. Mostly remote, ideally based in Sussex for potential in-person meetings. £25-40/hr, depending on experience.

Starting mid-October on a two-month trial, so we can both see how it's working before the festive break.

We have closed applications.

Thank you to everyone who applied. We've had lots of great applications from some brilliant people, so I've closed the form so I can work through them, and will get back to everyone.

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