Lead Executive Assistant - Business Partner to CEO (CEO as COO)

Lead Executive Assistant - Business Partner to CEO (CEO as COO)

Francom Group

Francom is a privately held organisation actively expanding its commercial and philanthropic interests throughout APAC and ANZ. The business has a strong history of creating enduring value and is experiencing rapid growth due to a substantial pipeline of prospects. Francom operates in a dynamic, fast-paced commercial setting, characterised by practical decision-making, strong leadership unity, and people-focused practices that foster sustained growth. The organisation also embodies a family-office ethos, marked by thoughtful leadership, profound trust, high employee engagement, and a culture rooted in integrity, discretion, and meaningful impact. Our endeavours are purpose-driven and aligned with our values, aiming to achieve outcomes that benefit individuals, communities, and the planet.

This is a unique opportunity to function as a Lead Executive Assistant and a trusted business partner to the CEO, who also serves in the capacity of CEO as COO. This position is central to executive decision-making. It combines commercial insight, governance discipline, and philanthropic awareness, reflecting the standards and tempo of high-performance environments such as venture capital, private equity, and investment banking. You will facilitate clarity, drive momentum, and ensure disciplined execution across the organisation, guaranteeing that executive priorities are met without disruption. Furthermore, you will lead and develop a team of Executive Assistants and support staff, establishing service standards and operational excellence within the executive support function.

Your New Role

As the Lead Executive Assistant, you will provide strategic, executive, and operational support to the CEO, while acting as a vital connection point across the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). You will anticipate needs, manage complexity, and bring structure to competing priorities within a fast-paced, purpose-led environment. This role requires exceptional judgment, confidence in operating at Board and C-suite levels, and absolute discretion. Flexibility, confidence, and comfort with travel are essential for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Partnership & Strategic Support
• Manage complex calendars, inboxes, and workflows.
• Prioritise strategically and optimise time.
• Prepare Board papers, ELT papers, reports, presentations, and correspondence.
• Monitor, report on, and follow up on ELT/SLT OKRs.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Anticipate business rhythms and pressure points.
• Handle confidential and family-office matters with absolute discretion.

• Governance, Board & Reporting
• Coordinate governance cadences, leadership meetings, and reporting cycles.
• Manage Board and Committee meetings from beginning to end.
• Maintain governance records, ASIC administration, and company registers.
• Manage Board portals and information flow.
• Produce accurate, polished documentation under time constraints.

• Commercial, Operational & Project Support
• Support project and development reporting across APAC/ANZ.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities and milestone tracking.
• Maintain visibility across commercial, philanthropic, and operational priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement in executive systems and processes.

• Team Leadership & Oversight
• Lead, mentor, and develop Executive Assistants and support staff.
• Establish service standards and best-practice workflows.
• Balance workloads to ensure consistent executive coverage.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing support culture.

• Stakeholder & Relationship Management
• Cultivate strong relationships with investors, partners, clients, and internal teams.
• Communicate confidently and professionally at CEO, ELT, and Board levels.
• Represent the organisation with warmth, authority, and commercial maturity.
• Navigate sensitive environments with emotional intelligence and sound judgment.

Executive Partnership & Travel (Essential)

This role involves regular domestic and international travel with the CEO, and travel is a core requirement of the position. You will travel as the CEO’s trusted executive partner, offering continuity, confidence, and operational precision before, during, and after engagements. Travel is purposeful, facilitating close partnership, informed decision-making, and high-quality execution on the ground. This role is ideal for an experienced executive professional who values proximity to leadership, enjoys variety, and is comfortable operating at pace while travelling.

• Travel Responsibilities
• Accompany the CEO on frequent interstate and international travel across APAC and ANZ.
• Seamlessly manage schedules, logistics, and priorities while travelling.
• Ensure meetings, stakeholder engagements, and commitments proceed smoothly on the ground.
• Remain calm, adaptable, and detail-focused as schedules evolve.
• Prepare thoroughly before travel and follow through post-engagement.
• Maintain discretion, professionalism, and executive presence at all times.

About You

• 5+ years of experience supporting senior executives (CEO / CEO as COO).

Company: Francom Group Location: Parramatta Work Type: Full-time Remote/On-site: Onsite