Executive Assistant to the Chief HR Officer | 100%

We are recruiting on behalf of an internationally operating organization in the financial services sector. Our client employs a highly diverse global workforce across Europe, the Americas, and Asia and is known for its long-term, partnership-driven approach to business. For its Zurich-based headquarters, conveniently located a 5-minute train ride from Zurich main station, we are seeking an exceptional assistant to support the Chief Human Resources Officer.

The role is about managing information, time, communication, and overall flow to keep everything moving smoothly and prevent anything from falling through the cracks. You think ahead, anticipate what is coming, and spot what is needed before it becomes urgent. You bring structure to complex situations, filter out the noise, and create clarity. Working closely with an internationally experienced HR leader, you serve as a trusted bridge between people, priorities, and projects. From time to time, this includes being available outside regular office hours to support business across time zones or address time-sensitive matters.

Executive & Business Support

• Monitor and manage the CHRO’s inbox and open items, including responding independently where appropriate and prioritizing correspondence on their behalf.
• Support the preparation and follow-up for meetings, conferences, and business travel.
• Act as a liaison between the CHRO and key stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely follow-through.
• Proactively take on ad hoc and unplanned tasks, taking care of whatever comes up to support the CHRO’s effectiveness.
• Exercise sound judgment when managing priorities and navigating unexpected changes; follow up on sensitive matters addressed to the CHRO and determine the appropriate course of action, referral, or response.
• Work closely with HR colleagues worldwide and foster collaboration by organizing team meetings and bringing colleagues together in a productive, positive way.
• Act as an ambassador for the corporate culture, fostering an approachable, respectful atmosphere around the CHRO’s office where employees and stakeholders feel heard, respected, and supported.
• Contribute to project coordination and ongoing process improvements.
• Compile, prepare, edit, and format documents and presentations, and conduct basic research to support the drafting of materials as needed.
• Maintain well-structured digital files and records with strict confidentiality to support smooth day-to-day operations.

Calendar, Travel, and Meetings

• Take ownership of the CHRO’s dynamic calendar, coordinating meetings across multiple time zones and proactively resolving conflicts.
• Organize domestic and international travel, including logistics, flight schedules, and detailed itineraries.
• Plan and coordinate internal and external meetings, including agenda preparation.
• Support global HR initiatives by coordinating projects and events, preparing presentations, and tracking deliverables with a strong eye for both detail and impact.
• Track and process expenses and invoices accurately and on time.

The person we are looking for

This role places you at the center of what flows in and out of the CHRO’s office, making you a trusted gatekeeper and a professional ambassador for the HR function, both internally and externally. Knowing what to share, when to share it, and with whom is therefore key. Over time, this naturally evolves into a close working partnership with the CHRO. When that foundation is in place, it becomes a rewarding collaboration built on thoughtful day-to-day support. That is why this role is ideal for someone who is an executive assistant at heart.

Your experience and qualifications

• A commercial apprenticeship is required; a B.A. in business administration, executive assistance, or digital office management is preferred.
• A prerequisite for this role is solid corporate experience coupled with a strong background in working with international stakeholders.
• At least seven (7) years of experience supporting executives in a global organization, ensuring a thorough understanding of structures, workflows, and processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a natural ability to choose the right tone and always represent HR professionally. Business fluency in English is required, while fluency in German is highly desirable.
• High-level user of the MS Office Suite and collaboration tools, including MS Teams and SharePoint.

Working Style | Personal Characteristics

• An upbeat, positive personality, emotional maturity, a get-things-done mindset, and good situational awareness.
• Highly organized, responsive, and service-oriented, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Comfortable making decisions and managing stakeholders, serving as a natural bridge between people while keeping momentum and the bigger picture in view.
• Able to handle competing demands with sound judgment and a clear sense of priorities.
• Pragmatic and resilient, performing well under pressure in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Willing to go the extra mile with a calm, determined approach and a strong focus on building trust.
• Reliable and thorough, seeing tasks through to completion with care and attention to detail.
• A positive contributor to a collaborative team culture, while also being practical and self-directed when working independently.
• Discrete, with a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with a position of trust.

What Our Client Offers

You will be joining an entrepreneurial environment with minimal hierarchy and a strong bias for action. The culture is built on four core values: collaborative, progressive, empowering, and responsible. In everyday work, this shows in a team built on trust, respect, and open exchange, where different perspectives are welcomed and valued. Alongside a competitive, market-aligned compensation package, you can expect a modern office in Zurich just five minutes from the main station, occasional home office when your manager is traveling, and access to learning and development resources. If this feels like the right next step for you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please send one PDF containing your English CV, reference letters, and degree certificates, in chronological order, to apply@barnickelfellows.ch, quoting EPA-CHRO-26.

In a short cover email, please also share why you would like to meet us, your earliest possible start date, and your salary expectations.

Barnickel & Fellows | Talstrasse 58 | 8001 Zürich | +41 44 243 86 68 | www.barnickelfellows.ch