Executive Assistant at Microsoft

We are looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant to join African Development Center supporting the Managing Director.  This position offers executive-level interfaces at Microsoft as well as frequent external contact with all levels of stakeholders, partners and industry executives. 

This role supports a busy Microsoft executive and will assist in leading and administering the African Development Center and Engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have experience providing high efficiency, proactive support with the ability to adjust direction in response to shifting priorities. Must have strong attention to detail, the ability to self-direct, organizational and project management skills, demonstrated initiative, a strong work ethic and the ability to communicate effectively with others. Must also uphold the highest level of integrity and business professionalism and deal with highly sensitive data with absolute confidentiality. 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Managing a complex calendar with attention to accuracy, timeliness and ensuring the schedule aligns with MD’s priorities and commitments. Must have ability to analyze and respond appropriately to emerging trends & priorities to ensure that the executive is engaged only in essential meetings and events. 
• Planning and executing meetings, events, off sites, morale activities, and partnerships both inside Microsoft and external with partners.  Work with key partners on the team in planning meetings and logistics. Take ownership & support of logistics for these events and ensure that budgets and activities around this area are managed as effectively as possible.  
• Representing the executive professionally; effectively communicating on his behalf with others including those within the company; those in the external community; and this includes coordinating internal and external speaking engagements. 
• Planning and coordinating a high number of domestic and international travel plans end-to-end including the proactive anticipation of any and all logistics and itineraries. Meet travel requirements of the executive including on-the-ground door-to-door logistics. 
• Preparing and reconciling expense reports to ensure timely processing.  Will also handle expense approvals for executive’s direct reports.  

• Providing group level support for the Chief of Staff office. Support and provide guidance to the team regarding corporate policies, space planning, and procurement.  
• Working closely with others on the executive’s immediate team and other operations staff to coordinate organization-wide governance, communications, meetings, etc. 
• Manage building space and private conference rooms from the MD and above level.
• Other responsibilities that may be either owned directly or supervised by the EA may include proactively plan and manage logistics for African Development Center events in close collaboration with operations teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years supporting Senior Executives. 
• Minimum of 2 years of recent  experience in an Executive Business Administrator role. 
• Have excellent interpersonal, organizational, planning and time management skills. An ability to work independently, deal with ambiguity, and solve routine problems proactively and effectively. The aptitude for adapting to changing circumstances. 
• Exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, integrity and professionalism in all interactions.  Possess a high level of self-awareness and intrinsic appreciation for the value that admins provide. 
• An aptitude to work independently without significant oversight or instruction to achieve results with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Work successfully in a team environment, building effective working relationships inside and outside of the group, accommodating work styles and perspectives of diverse individuals. 
• Proven track record of excellent judgment, problem resolution, teamwork, negotiation, budgeting and analytical skills, decision-making skills, and the ability to work under pressure required. 
• Have a strong sense of urgency. 

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.