Job descriptions and industry overviews

Personal assistant/secretary

gradireland editorial team

25 Jan 2023, 13:37

Undertakes administrative, clerical and managerial tasks on behalf of managers and company directors.

Blurred image of a person at a desk with a laptop, suggesting the role of a personal assistant or secretary.

Job description

Personal assistants (PAs) work closely with senior members of staff (usually senior managers or directors) helping them to manage their workload, organise their day and free up their time by providing administrative support, usually on a one-to-one basis. PAs normally have an in-depth knowledge of the organisation and perform a variety of tasks depending on the employing organisation.

Work activities

  • Screening phone calls and dealing with enquiries where appropriate
  • Making appointments and planning their manager’s diary
  • Organising and attending meetings; sometimes taking minutes and ensuring their manager is well-prepared for meetings
  • Replying to emails, faxes and post
  • Booking travel arrangements and accommodation when necessary
  • Assisting with projects their manager might be working on by researching or writing reports
  • Organising and maintaining office systems
  • Standing in for their manager in their absence.

gradireland editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the gradireland content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

undefined background image

We've got you

Get the latest jobs, internships, careers advice, courses and graduate events based on what's important to you. Start connecting directly with top employers today.
Join gradireland