Senior Executive Assistant to Founder / CEO

Senior Executive Assistant to Founder / CEO
Costa Mesa, California

The founder and CEO of a successful, privately held business seeks an accomplished Senior Executive Assistant to serve as his principal administrative partner. Based in a beautifully appointed office, this position combines executive support, oversight of administrative colleagues working across locations, and coordination of business, philanthropic, and personal priorities.

The opening comes as the CEO’s long-term assistant prepares to transition into another role within the company. This is an opportunity for a career Executive Assistant who values a lasting partnership, takes ownership, and brings proven practices to a well-established executive office. The Monday–Friday schedule offers the opportunity for work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex calendar and competing priorities, ensuring the CEO is prepared for meetings, decisions, and engagements.
• Prepare polished correspondence, executive briefings, presentations, and meeting materials.
• Track decisions and commitments, manage special projects, and ensure timely follow-through.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of other administrative staff, establishing clear responsibilities and consistent standards.
• Coordinate with executives, board members, professional advisors, and household staff.
• Arrange domestic and international travel, including private aviation, ground transportation, and detailed itineraries. Anticipate travel needs and implement changes expeditiously when circumstances change.
• Improve office systems and workflows; oversee administrative expenses, vendors, and records.
• Support board meetings, partner meetings and annual planning cycles.

Qualifications

• Proven longevity supporting a CEO, founder, or senior executive, with a record of trusted, long-term partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience leading an administrative team and managing projects independently.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, sound judgment, and discretion.
• A resourceful approach, a strong sense of urgency, and the ability to anticipate needs and manage competing priorities.
• Confidence working with senior executives and professional advisors.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills and a bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Experience supporting a high-net-worth principal, coordinating private aviation, and supporting board activities is strongly preferred.

Schedule: Fully onsite in Costa Mesa, Monday–Friday, during standard business hours.

Compensation: Base salary targeted at $175,000, commensurate with experience, plus a significant bonus opportunity, benefits, and paid time off. If your salary requirements are higher, please include a brief paragraph explaining how your experience and qualifications support your request.

For candidates joining before year-end, a sign-on bonus or buyout of a forfeited year-end bonus may be considered. A start after the first of the year can also be accommodated.

Interview Timeline: In-person interviews are planned for the week of November 16, with a target hiring decision by November 30.

All inquiries will be held in confidence.

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Our Story:

Mahler Private Staffing works with America’s leading families to find experienced private domestic staffing professionals for their homes and family offices. We take a personalized approach and work to get to know our candidates as well as we know our clients, so we can make lasting, long-term placements.

Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, we regret that we are unable to provide individual responses. Rest assured that selected candidates will be personally contacted for further consideration. We would like to emphasize that there are no fees associated with the application process for applicants.