Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Role overview

Arada Capital is seeking an Executive Assistant & Office Manager to serve as a close partner to the CEO and help set up, organize, and run the firm’s Abu Dhabi office in ADGM. This position sits at the center of executive coordination, office administration, governance support, and stakeholder management for a newly launched investment management business.

The right person will be highly organized, calm under pressure, discreet, and comfortable working in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment. The role calls for strong judgment, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to juggle competing priorities while staying ahead of what the CEO and wider business need.

Executive support

• Deliver full-spectrum administrative and coordination support to the CEO.
• Run a busy and changing calendar by prioritizing meetings, travel, and commitments effectively.
• Arrange internal and external meetings, including agendas, briefing notes, presentation materials, and action follow-up.
• Handle incoming communication for the CEO, such as email, calls, correspondence, and meeting requests.
• Draft reports, presentations, board papers, and executive communications.
• Monitor critical deadlines, priorities, and strategic workstreams to help ensure timely delivery.
• Serve as the point of coordination between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders.

Office management

• Take ownership of the everyday functioning of the ADGM office.
• Oversee reception and related front-desk responsibilities.
• Manage office supplies, facilities, equipment, and vendor coordination.
• Maintain working relationships with building management, service providers, and external suppliers.
• Ensure the office reflects the standards expected of a regulated investment management firm.
• Assist with office budget tracking and expense monitoring.
• Support onboarding for new joiners and visiting guests.

Board, committee, and governance support

• Coordinate meetings for the Board, Investment Committee, and senior leadership.
• Prepare meeting packs, agendas, minutes, and action trackers.
• Keep governance records organized and maintain filing systems.
• Assist with corporate documentation and regulatory submissions when needed.
• Support coordination with the ADGM Registration Authority and other service providers.

Travel and events

• Organize complex travel for the CEO and other senior leaders, both within the region and internationally.
• Manage visas, accommodation, transport, itineraries, and meeting schedules.
• Plan investor meetings, conferences, roadshows, and company events.
• Ensure smooth logistics for visiting investors, board members, and other stakeholders.

Stakeholder coordination

• Develop effective working relationships with investors, board members, advisors, government bodies, regulators, banks, and professional advisers.
• Represent Arada Capital and the CEO in a polished and professional manner.
• Coordinate communications and follow-through with key stakeholders.
• Handle sensitive business matters with complete confidentiality.

Administrative and operational support

• Create and improve office processes, systems, and administrative routines.
• Maintain filing, records management, and document control practices.
• Support procurement, supplier onboarding, invoice handling, and expense administration.
• Assist with HR administration, employee records, and office policy support.
• Provide broader assistance to the leadership team as the business expands.

Experience and qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring 5 to 10 years of experience supporting C-suite leaders, founders, or senior management teams. Background in asset management, private equity, investment banking, financial services, professional services, or family office settings is preferred. Strong organization and time management skills are essential, along with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools such as PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Excel. The role also requires comfort using AI tools and a genuine interest in automation and AI-enabled improvement. Excellent English communication skills and the ability to manage confidential and commercially sensitive information are required.

Preferred background

Experience in ADGM, DIFC, or another regulated financial services environment would be an advantage. Prior exposure to board or investment committee governance, corporate secretarial work, or regulatory administration is also beneficial. Arabic language ability is helpful but not mandatory.

Key competencies

The successful applicant will present themselves with executive-level professionalism and confidence when dealing with senior leaders, investors, board members, and government representatives. They should be highly detail-oriented, organized, service-minded, trustworthy, and capable of anticipating issues before they arise. A proactive, ownership-driven mindset is important, as the business is still evolving and the role may extend beyond a traditional executive assistant remit.

Success expectations

Over the first 12 months, the person in this role is expected to create an effective CEO office function, manage executive schedules and travel smoothly, establish professional administration and governance processes, support the launch and growth of Arada Capital’s Abu Dhabi operations, strengthen key relationships, and help build a well-run office environment that supports operational excellence.

Additional information

This is an early-stage hire within a newly established investment management business. The position requires discretion, adaptability, ownership, and comfort working in a setting where systems and structures are still being built.