Principal Executive Assistant

Role Overview

Salesforce is looking for an experienced Executive Assistant to support a senior C-suite leader in Washington, DC. In this high-visibility role, you will act as a trusted partner who helps shape the executive’s day-to-day effectiveness, protects their time, and keeps priorities moving in a global, fast-paced environment. The position calls for strong judgment, excellent organization, polished communication, and the ability to work confidently across a complex, matrixed organization.

This role sits within Corporate Functions and is intended for someone who can balance business needs, executive preferences, and confidential matters while helping the leader stay focused on strategic outcomes. The company emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and values-driven performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Handle a wide range of administrative work, including calendar ownership, expense processing, drafting correspondence, travel coordination, and office event planning, while using technology to improve speed and efficiency.
• Create and maintain a practical personal operating system that aligns key deadlines with business priorities so work is organized and sequenced effectively.
• Manage the executive’s calendar and priorities proactively to make the best use of time and energy.
• Organize meetings and help support participation in conferences, industry events, and speaking engagements.
• Tailor meeting and calendar support based on a strong understanding of the executive’s working style, priorities, and preferences.
• Prepare agendas and materials, apply strong meeting discipline, and help shape the tone and flow of executive and administrative meetings.
• Work closely with colleagues across teams and with senior leaders inside and outside the company.
• Arrange travel and bookings in a way that supports objectives, respects preferences, follows policy, and accounts for visas, costs, and required documentation.
• Step in to support personal errands and commitments when needed.
• Track internal projects and follow them through to completion, resolving issues quickly and handling multiple priorities in a demanding leadership setting.
• Help coordinate management meetings, off-sites, and staff meetings.
• Investigate, prioritize, and follow up on issues raised by the executive, and keep the leadership team informed when appropriate.
• Serve as an early warning point for concerns or changes in the environment that may matter to the executive.
• Take a hands-on approach to critical tasks, including drafting materials and other written deliverables.
• Build strong internal relationships and collaborate effectively across a large, matrixed organization, including maintaining close ties with other executive assistants.
• Protect confidential information with a high degree of trust and discretion.
• Lead admin-team initiatives such as projects, process improvements, and learning efforts that have broader organizational impact, while mentoring newer admins and helping onboard new hires.
• Carry out additional administrative and project-related responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

• You must be based in the listed location and able to work from the office three days per week.
• At least 10 years of relevant administrative experience, preferably in a global software company.
• Background supporting senior executives in a global, matrixed organization.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with a practical mindset for improving processes.
• Ability to build relationships and develop a broad internal network across a global company.
• Clear, professional communication with stakeholders, along with strong follow-through and attention to detail.
• Ability to filter large amounts of information into the key points, decisions, and actions the executive needs most.
• Confident, diplomatic communication style with the judgment to identify gaps and ask for context when needed.
• Sound decision-making skills on behalf of the executive, including knowing when to respond directly and when to defer.
• Ability to anticipate executive preferences and apply good judgment in day-to-day support.
• Strict confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive material.
• Intermediate project coordination experience, including moving projects forward in ambiguous settings with changing timelines.
• Experience working with senior management in a fast-moving, innovative environment.
• Experience as part of a large administrative team.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace, especially Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Drive, and Google Meet; familiarity with Slack, Salesforce, Tableau, Concur, and Coupa is a plus.
• Customer-first mindset, strong bias for action, and excellent attention to detail.
• Professional presence and the ability to keep confidences.
• Experience working closely with an executive’s Chief of Staff or an equivalent partner is desirable.
• Willingness to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and adapt to change.
• Curiosity about the company’s global culture and operations.
• Interest in technology and innovation, with comfort using new tools and encouraging others to adopt them.

Additional Information

For the best candidate experience, Salesforce asks applicants not to submit more than three applications within a 12-month period to avoid duplicate efforts.

The company’s Executive Assistants support top leaders worldwide and are expected to act as strategic partners who help executives and their teams stay productive and aligned with company goals. Salesforce also notes that its AI tools may assist recruiters in reviewing resumes and qualifications, but human decision-makers remain responsible for hiring decisions.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruitment process, you can request one through the company’s accommodations process.

Salesforce is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit, competence, and qualifications. The company states that it does not discriminate on protected characteristics and that this policy applies across hiring, compensation, promotion, training, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other employment actions.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base pay range for this role is $117,200 to $176,700 per year. In selected cities within the San Francisco and New York City metro areas, the base salary range is $141,200 to $194,200 per year. Base pay is only one part of total compensation and does not include bonus, incentive pay, equity, or benefits where applicable.

Depending on the role, employees may also be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Salesforce offers a benefits package that includes time off programs, medical, dental, and vision coverage, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, a 401(k), and an employee stock purchase program.

Hiring Considerations

In the United States, compensation is determined by location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salesforce also notes that qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in line with applicable fair chance hiring laws.