Executive Assistant

SUMMARY:
Division: MBA Advisory – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Sustainability.
Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer.
Location: Johannesburg (with occasional travel as required).

MBA Advisory is a multidisciplinary advisory practice specialising in Governance, Risk, Compliance and Sustainability. We support clients in enhancing transparency, accountability and resilience. As the Executive Assistant to the CEO, you will gain unique exposure to the intersection of executive leadership and professional advisory, playing a key role in the firm’s growth journey while developing your expertise in the GRCS advisory space.

POSITION INFO:
Purpose of the Role

The Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO provides strategic, administrative and operational support to the CEO of MBA Advisory. The role is designed for a professional who can seamlessly combine executive assistance with an understanding of the Governance, Risk, Compliance and Sustainability (GRCS) landscape. The EA will ensure that the CEO’s time, decisions and stakeholder engagements are optimised to advance MBA Advisory’s mission of delivering high-quality advisory services that strengthen organisational integrity, accountability and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive & Advisory Support

• Manage and optimise the CEO’s calendar, travel and engagements to ensure focus on strategic GRCS priorities.
• Prepare, draft and review correspondence, thought leadership pieces, Board packs, proposals, and reports aligned to advisory services.
• Conduct research and compile briefing notes on emerging governance, compliance and sustainability issues relevant to client work.
• Anticipate the CEO’s needs in relation to client-facing assignments, regulatory meetings and advisory board engagements.

• Coordinate and support Board, Audit Committee, Risk Committee and Sustainability Committee meetings, including agenda setting, minutes and action trackers.
• Act as a confidential liaison between the CEO and regulators, clients, professional bodies and industry stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between the CEO’s priorities and MBA Advisory’s governance, risk, compliance and sustainability commitments.

• Track and monitor the progress of strategic initiatives and client projects in governance, risk management and compliance.
• Flag regulatory deadlines, sustainability disclosures, and governance obligations for CEO attention.
• Support the CEO in preparing for compliance audits, sustainability reviews and stakeholder assurance processes.

• Assist in preparing sustainability/ESG reports, dashboards and presentations for clients, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal teams on sustainability-driven projects, ensuring milestones are achieved and reported.
• Support the CEO’s engagements in ESG forums, sustainability roundtables, and thought leadership initiatives.

• Manage CEO office-related budgets, travel and event logistics with a focus on sustainability practices (e.g., cost-effective, environmentally responsible solutions).
• Coordinate client workshops, training sessions, and industry conferences relating to governance, risk, compliance and sustainability.
• Handle confidential information with professionalism and integrity.

• Diploma/Degree in Business Administration or related discipline.
• Additional training in corporate governance, compliance or sustainability will be advantageous.

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience as an EA, PA, or Chief of Staff in a professional service, advisory or consulting firm.
• Exposure to GRC or ESG environments (e.g., corporate governance, compliance, sustainability reporting, risk management).
• Experience coordinating Board/Exco activities and producing executive-level documentation.

• Executive support mastery: Calendar, travel and high-level correspondence.
• Governance literacy: Understanding of PFMA, MFMA, King IV, Companies Act, and ESG frameworks.
• Communication excellence: Drafting board reports, compliance updates, and sustainability presentations.
• Risk awareness: Ability to identify and escalate risks in projects or deadlines.
• Technology proficiency: MS Office Suite, board portals, virtual collaboration platforms.
• Confidentiality & discretion: Trusted to handle sensitive information.

• Professional, polished and client focused.
• Proactive, solutions-driven, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Integrity-driven with a commitment to governance and sustainability principles.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and results-focused.