Executive assistants

Overview

Executive assistants coordinate administrative procedures, public relations activities and research and analysis functions for members of legislative assemblies, ministers, deputy ministers, corporate officials and executives, committees and boards of directors. They are employed by governments, corporations and associations.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Establish and coordinate administrative policies and procedures for officials, committees and boards of directors

  • Analyze incoming and outgoing memoranda, submissions and reports and prepare and co-ordinate the preparation and submission of summary briefs and reports to executives, committees and boards of directors

  • Prepare agendas and make arrangements for committee, board and other meetings

  • Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors

  • Meet with individuals, special interest groups and others on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors to discuss issues and assess and recommend various courses of action

  • Liaise with departmental and corporate officials and with other organizations and associations on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors.

Job titles

  • committee clerk
  • constituency aid
  • constituency assistant
  • corporate secretary
  • executive assistant
  • legislative assistant

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$42,108

Median

$65,071

High

$100,276

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

1,233

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a related discipline or the completion of a college diploma in administration is usually required.

  • Experience in a related administrative occupation is usually required.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Executive assistants in B.C.

  • Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) Designation - Executive Assistants

Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) Designation - Executive Assistants

To work as an administrative professional in B.C., you may choose to earn the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional designation. The designation is earned by completing the Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) program, for which you must be a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).

Employment as an executive assistant may additionally require related work experience.

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Work Experience

Work experience required

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

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