Executive Assistant to CEO
Africa Nazarene University
Quick Take
You will serve as the right hand to Africa Nazarene University's Vice Chancellor, managing their calendar, travel, correspondence, and board meeting coordination on a daily basis.
A diploma or degree in Secretarial Studies or Business Administration, at least 5 years of executive support experience, and exceptional communication skills are the core requirements.
This role offers a competitive salary of up to KES 90,000, the prestige of supporting a university's top leadership, and the stability of working within an established Christian academic institution.
Job Description
Africa Nazarene University (ANU), based in Ongata Rongai, is looking to bring on board a seasoned and highly organised Executive Assistant to provide dedicated administrative support to the Office of the Vice Chancellor. This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment and is comfortable working at the heart of university leadership.
The successful candidate will serve as a critical link between the Vice Chancellor and both internal departments and external partners, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations within the VC's office. Discretion, initiative, and strong communication skills are absolutely essential for this role.
- Oversee and manage the Vice Chancellor's daily calendar, travel arrangements, and official correspondence to ensure smooth scheduling and timely communication
- Organise and coordinate board meetings, including preparing accurate minutes and tracking follow-up actions to ensure timely resolution
- Act as the primary point of contact between the Vice Chancellor's office and various internal departments as well as external stakeholders
- Handle and safeguard confidential university records and sensitive documentation with the utmost discretion and professionalism
- A Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, or a closely related field
- A minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience providing executive-level administrative support
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft professional correspondence and engage confidently with senior stakeholders
- Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with keen attention to detail
- High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
This position is best suited for an experienced administrative professional who has previously supported senior executives or C-suite leadership. You are someone who is proactive, dependable, and able to anticipate the needs of leadership without being prompted. If you have a track record of managing complex schedules, facilitating high-level meetings, and handling sensitive information with professionalism, and you are looking to contribute to a reputable academic institution in Kenya, this role is for you. Candidates with experience in a university, NGO, or comparable institutional setting will have an added advantage.
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for the Executive Assistant to CEO position at Africa Nazarene University. Please prepare and submit your application in line with ANU's official recruitment guidelines. Ensure your application clearly demonstrates how your qualifications and experience align with the requirements outlined above. The position is based at the university's campus in Ongata Rongai.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in an executive support or personal assistant role
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English
- Proven ability to manage complex calendars, travel arrangements, and executive correspondence
- Experience preparing board meeting minutes and tracking action items
Nice to Have
- Prior experience working in a university, NGO, or faith-based institution
- Proficiency with productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace
- Experience managing confidential and sensitive information at C-suite or VP level
- Knowledge of governance and board administration processes
Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →
Salary Context
Competitive to above-market salary for an Executive Assistant role in Ongata Rongai
Executive Assistants supporting C-suite or VC-level executives in Nairobi and its satellite towns typically earn between KES 50,000 and KES 80,000 per month; the upper band of KES 90,000 offered here is above average and reflects the seniority and confidentiality demands of this role. Pay in this field is influenced by the employer's size and sector, the candidate's years of experience, and the complexity of the executive's portfolio.
About Africa Nazarene University
Africa Nazarene University (ANU) is a private, faith-based university located in Ongata Rongai, on the outskirts of Nairobi, founded and supported by the Church of the Nazarene. ANU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across business, education, theology, and the sciences, serving thousands of students from across Kenya and the wider East African region. Working at ANU means contributing to a values-driven academic environment that balances professional excellence with a strong sense of community and purpose.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Can you walk us through how you currently manage a senior executive's calendar when multiple urgent priorities conflict on the same day?
- 2
Describe a time you prepared board meeting minutes and ensured all action items were followed up and closed. What system did you use?
- 3
How do you handle sensitive or confidential information, and can you give an example where discretion was critical in a previous role?
- 4
The Vice Chancellor interacts with diverse stakeholders — government officials, donors, faculty, and students. How do you tailor communication on their behalf for different audiences?
- 5
What tools or techniques do you use to stay organised and ensure nothing falls through the cracks when supporting a very busy executive?
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to highlight specific achievements in executive support — e.g. 'Managed the CEO's calendar across 3 time zones' or 'Coordinated 12 board meetings annually' — rather than listing generic duties.
Emphasise any experience in academic, faith-based, or non-profit institutions, as ANU will value cultural alignment with their mission alongside professional competence.
Include a brief, polished cover letter that demonstrates your written communication skills directly — this role hinges on communication, and a well-crafted cover letter is itself evidence you can do the job.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- The salary range of KES 60,000–90,000 is clearly stated and competitive for this level of role in the Nairobi metro area.
- Supporting a Vice Chancellor at a university offers genuine exposure to high-level governance, institutional strategy, and a wide network of academic and civic stakeholders.
- Africa Nazarene University is an established institution with a long track record in Kenya, offering job stability compared to a startup or small private firm.
- The role has a clear and senior scope — board meetings, VC-level correspondence, confidential records — which signals real responsibility and professional growth opportunity.
Watch Out
- The job title says 'Executive Assistant to CEO' but the description refers to the Vice Chancellor — this inconsistency may indicate a rushed posting and could mean role scope or reporting lines are not fully defined.
- There is no mention of benefits, leave entitlement, or contract type beyond 'full-time', which limits a candidate's ability to fully evaluate the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life
Your week typically begins with reviewing and adjusting the Vice Chancellor's calendar — confirming meetings with the Ministry of Education, donor calls, or faculty senate sessions, and briefing the VC on the day's priorities. Mid-week, you might be drafting correspondence to partner institutions, collating board papers ahead of a governance meeting, or following up with department heads on outstanding action items from the last session. By Friday, you are filing confidential documents, preparing a travel itinerary for an upcoming conference, and filtering incoming emails to ensure urgent matters reach the VC without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Executive Assistant to CEO role at Africa Nazarene University?
You need at least a Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Secretarial Studies, Business Administration, or a related field, plus a minimum of 5 years of executive support experience.
Is the Executive Assistant role at Africa Nazarene University a remote or on-site position?
This is an on-site, full-time role based at ANU's campus in Ongata Rongai — given the nature of supporting the Vice Chancellor in person, remote work is very unlikely.
How much does an Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor earn at Africa Nazarene University?
The posted salary range is KES 60,000 to KES 90,000 per month, which is competitive and above average for executive assistant roles in the Nairobi satellite town area.
What are the career growth opportunities for an Executive Assistant at a university like ANU?
This role can naturally lead to a Chief of Staff, Head of Administration, or senior governance role within the university, and the broad stakeholder exposure builds a strong professional network across academia, government, and the private sector.
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