The executive assistant role has evolved well beyond traditional administrative support into genuine strategic partnership with senior leadership. This advanced course builds the skills that let experienced assistants operate as a true extension of the executives they support, handling ambiguity, competing priorities and high-stakes stakeholder relationships with confidence.
71%of executives say their assistant significantly affects their own personal productivity
3xhigher executive trust reported for assistants exercising independent strategic judgement
190+professionals trained by Matsh in this programme
Common challenges this course addresses:
- You are ready to move beyond basic administration but unsure how to develop genuine strategic support skills
- You manage stakeholder relationships on behalf of your executive without clear protocols for different situations
- You struggle to anticipate needs proactively rather than only responding to explicit requests
- You are uncertain how to represent your executive credibly in their absence
- You lack confidence managing genuinely competing priorities from multiple senior stakeholders at once
This course builds the advanced skills that let you operate as a genuine strategic partner, not just an administrator.
Who Should Attend
💼
Experienced Executive Assistants
Those ready to move from administrative to strategic support.
📋
Chief of Staff Professionals
Those in or moving toward broader strategic support roles.
🏢
Senior Office Managers
Those supporting multiple executives or a leadership team.
🌍
Board Support Staff
Those managing governance and board-level administrative needs.
👥
Aspiring Chiefs of Staff
Those building toward more senior strategic support careers.
🎯
Assistants Supporting Founders
Those in fast-moving, ambiguous environments requiring genuine judgement.
What You Will Leave With
Practical tools applicable immediately.
✓Strategic support framework, anticipating needs rather than only responding to requests
✓Stakeholder management protocols, managing relationships confidently on your executive's behalf
✓Board-level communication skills, professional presence in governance and senior settings
✓Decision support techniques, providing genuine input that improves executive decisions
✓Ambiguity management skills, operating confidently without complete instructions
✓A strategic development plan, concrete steps toward greater strategic responsibility
What Participants Report
From follow-up surveys 60 days after the programme
73%reported their executive delegated greater responsibility within six months
64%successfully navigated a significant stakeholder conflict using course frameworks
190+professionals trained across all cohorts
"I had been doing the administrative side of this role well for years but felt stuck. This course gave me the language and confidence to actually step into strategic support, and my executive noticed the change within weeks."
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Programme Outline
1
From Administrative Support to Strategic Partnership
Why this module matters: The shift from reactive administration to proactive strategic support is the defining transition of the advanced executive assistant role.
- Understanding the strategic dimension of the executive assistant role
- Anticipating needs proactively rather than waiting for explicit requests
- Building the trust that allows genuine delegation of judgement
2
Stakeholder Management and Representation
Why this module matters: Executive assistants at this level regularly represent their executive, and doing so credibly requires specific skill and confidence.
- Managing internal and external stakeholder relationships confidently
- Representing your executive credibly in their absence
- Navigating competing priorities from multiple senior stakeholders
3
Board-Level Communication and Governance Support
Why this module matters: Supporting governance processes and board-level interactions requires a different register of professionalism and precision.
- Professional communication and presence in board and governance settings
- Managing sensitive governance documentation and processes
- Supporting decision-making processes at the executive and board level
4
Decision Support and Personal Strategic Development
Why this module matters: Genuine strategic partnership includes offering input that improves decisions, and this final module builds both that capability and a personal development path.
- Providing meaningful input into executive decision-making appropriately
- Managing ambiguity and incomplete information with confidence
- Personal development plan for advancing toward greater strategic responsibility
Course At a Glance
| Duration | 3-5 Days |
| Format | In-person and online |
| What's Included | Workbook, practical toolkit, certificate of completion |
Common Questions
Is this course appropriate for those newer to the executive assistant role?
This course is designed for experienced assistants ready to move into more strategic responsibility. Those newer to the role may benefit more from the foundational Personal Assistant Training Course first.
Does the course address supporting more than one executive simultaneously?
Yes. A dedicated segment addresses managing competing priorities and stakeholder relationships when supporting multiple senior leaders at once.
Related Courses
Ready to Move From Administrative Support to Strategic Partnership?
Build the advanced skills that let you operate as a genuine extension of executive leadership.
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