Job Title: Executive Support to the CEO
Reports to: CEO
Location: Johannesburg
Type: Fixed-term contract (12 months, renewable)
About BASA
Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is a leading intermediary organisation at the intersection of business and the arts. We work to strengthen partnerships, unlock investment, and advance the sustainability and impact of the arts sector in South Africa.
We are seeking a highly capable, proactive, and detail-driven Executive Support professional to provide high-level administrative, coordination, and secretarial support to the CEO.
Why Join BASA?
This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of a national organisation shaping partnerships between business and the arts. You will contribute directly to enabling leadership effectiveness and organisational impact in a dynamic and purpose-driven environment.
Role Overview
The Executive Support to the CEO is a critical enabling role that ensures the effective functioning of the CEO’s office. The role provides seamless executive, secretarial, and administrative support, enabling the CEO to operate strategically and efficiently.
This is not a routine administrative post. It requires discretion, judgement, organisational excellence, and the ability to manage complex schedules, governance processes, stakeholder communication, and logistical coordination with precision and professionalism.
The incumbent will serve as a key coordination point between the CEO, Board, management team, and external stakeholders, ensuring follow-through, alignment, and operational discipline.
Key Responsibilities
- Executive & Administrative Support
- Strategically manage and optimise the CEO’s calendar, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities
- Coordinate internal and external meetings, ensuring all documentation, presentations, and logistics are prepared in advance
- Draft and refine high-quality reports, correspondence, and presentations
- Manage and filter incoming communications to the CEO’s office with discretion and sound judgement
- Maintain and structure the central executive calendar of organisational events
- Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements and itineraries
- Executive Coordination & Governance Support
(In collaboration with the Board Secretariat)
- Coordinate with the Board Secretariat to ensure CEO-related documentation, submissions, and timelines are met
- Support preparation and collation of documentation required from the CEO for Board and committee meetings
- Track CEO-related action items and ensure timely follow-through on decisions and commitments
- Maintain executive records, including CEO resolutions and decision tracking where required
- Facilitate communication between the CEO, Board members, and management team as appropriate
- Ensure executive-level meetings are professionally prepared, documented, and actioned
- Stakeholder Liaison & Workflow Management
- Act as coordination point between the CEO, senior leadership, and external stakeholders
- Ensure follow-ups on executive decisions are monitored and completed
- Anticipate scheduling conflicts and proactively resolve constraints
- Maintain disciplined tracking of executive priorities and commitments
- Operational Readiness
- Ensure meeting venues, equipment, materials, and documentation are prepared and in place
- Coordinate logistical requirements with relevant internal teams (including Finance and Operations)
- Maintain organised and accessible executive filing and documentation systems
Required Competencies
- Exceptional organisational discipline and attention to detail
- Strong executive communication and writing capability
- High discretion and professional maturity
- Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities
- Strong coordination and follow-through capability
- Understanding of governance processes and executive environments
- Calm, structured, and solutions-oriented under pressure
Experience & Qualifications
- Relevant qualification in Office Administration, Business Administration, or related field
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience supporting senior executives
- Experience working alongside Board Secretariats or governance structures advantageous
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office and digital collaboration tools.
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:
- A detailed CV
- Cover Letter
Send applications to: recruitment@basa.co.za
Subject Line: Executive Support to the CEO
Closing Date: Monday 16 March
