When it comes to Chief of Staff vs. Executive Assistant, it is important to understand the difference between the two. That way, you can hire the right candidate for the right purpose. Otherwise, you may end up wasting precious time and resources.

A Chief of Staff is a leadership position requiring years of experience and management skills. They make important decisions working alongside senior Executives. In contrast, an Executive Assistant is a supporting role. They assist senior Executives by handling their daily administrative activities. Both roles work closely with the leadership of a company. However, their functions and duties vary.

This blog will clearly explain the differences between the two roles and also highlight the benefits of hiring a Virtual Assistant from Wishup.

What does an Executive Assistant do?

As the title suggests, an Executive Assistant supports the Executive they work under. This could be a senior Executive, Chief Operating Officer, or CEO.

This is what an Executive Assistant does on the job:

Managing the Executive's calendar and schedule

An Executive Assistant books meetings and appointments for their boss. They are responsible for keeping the Executive on track regarding their daily commitments.

Handling phone calls, emails, and correspondence

From answering calls to taking down messages, Executive Assistants communicate on behalf of their boss. This includes contacting another company or authority and passing important information or orders. Executive Assistants also clear out junk e-mails and respond to important ones.

Arranging travel and accommodations

If an Executive travels, their assistant books the airline ticket and makes the hotel reservation. They also prepare the itinerary along with other necessary arrangements.

Assisting with personal and professional tasks

Executive Assistants help their boss in researching for a project. During a meeting, they take down notes. They also assist the Executive in handling expense reports.

Acting as a liaison between the Executive and other staff members

As their spokesperson, an assistant must communicate the Executive’s orders and decisions to the staff. The staff cannot contact the Executive directly. Their queries must go through the Executive Assistant.

The primary responsibilities of an Executive Assistant