At Love Success, we specialise in matching skilled professionals with top PA jobs in London. Working as a personal assistant to a London executive can be a demanding yet incredibly rewarding career. Today, we hear from one of our candidates about their experience working as a PA to a senior executive in the heart of the city.
Shannon’s PA story
Working as a PA to a London executive is a lot like being the glue that holds everything together. My days are packed, and no two are ever the same, but that’s what makes it exciting! My boss is a CEO of a financial firm, and I’m responsible for managing their entire workday—from scheduling meetings to coordinating travel and everything in between.
Kicking off the day for a good start
My day usually begins well before I step into the office. I start by checking my emails and my boss’s calendar on my phone while commuting on the train, until I lose signal. This gives me a head start, so I can get a sense of any urgent tasks or schedule changes that may have come through overnight.
Once I’m in the office, the first thing I do is go over the day’s meetings and tasks. I organise everything in order of priority, ensuring all the details for each appointment are sorted, from documents to location logistics. Time management is crucial. My boss’s schedule is tightly packed, so it’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Juggling tasks is the bulk of my day
One of the biggest challenges of being a PA is juggling multiple tasks at once. My phone is constantly ringing, and I often get last-minute requests. It could be anything from booking a flight to organising a press release to put out. I have to stay on my toes and be ready for anything.
I’ve also learned how to anticipate my boss’s needs. For example, if I see that there’s a meeting running close to lunch, I’ll arrange for catering so that my boss doesn’t have to go without food. It’s small things like this that make all the difference.
A big part of my role is managing relationships. I’m often the first point of contact for my boss, whether it’s liaising with clients, partners, or internal staff. Building strong relationships with everyone helps me ensure that things get done quickly and efficiently.
Having a good working relationship with my boss is essential too. We’ve developed a system where I understand their preferences, so I can work with minimal direction. They trust me to handle things, which gives me more autonomy and makes my job even more rewarding.
Handling the pressure is important
There’s no doubt that working as a PA can be stressful at times. London executives often have high expectations, and the pace is fast. Deadlines are tight, and there’s no room for mistakes. But I’ve learned how to handle pressure by staying organised, keeping calm, and being adaptable. Having strong communication skills is also really important.
PA jobs in London with Love Success
We are always on the lookout for skilled PAs to fill roles in London. Register as a Love Success candidate.