Executive Assistant

Job Description

The role

Clifford Chance is seeking a full-time Executive Assistant in the New York office. The Executive Assistant (EA) will provide strategic, proactive, and highly trusted support to a Global Practice Head(s)/Senior Partners, enabling senior leadership to operate with maximum effectiveness. This role goes beyond traditional administrative support and functions as a business partner, responsible for anticipating needs, driving follow‑through, and ensuring disciplined execution across leadership, client, and business development activities. The EA plays a critical role in enhancing global leadership impact and strengthening client service by acting as an extension of the Global Practice Head(s) and/or Senior Partner. This position will report to the Regional Secretarial Manager.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Support

• Proactively and expertly manage principal's workload to enable them to meet client and global managerial expectations
• Serve as a trusted partner to the Global Practice Head(s), proactively managing priorities, workflows, and follow‑through
• Anticipate issues and surface risks or conflicts early, proposing solutions where appropriate
• Flagging key correspondence or messages which require response and/or follow-up
• Act as a gatekeeper for time, inbox and commitments to ensure leadership focuses on high-value activities
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Stakeholder & Client Interface

• Act as a key point of coordination between the Global Practice Head(s) and internal stakeholders across regions
• Support consistent, high‑quality client engagement through preparedness, responsiveness, and follow‑through
• Represent the Practice Head(s) professionally with internal and external stakeholders when directed

Operational Oversight & Risk Management

• Monitor key deadlines, governance requirements, and sensitive communications
• Meet with the principals at their preferred cadence to review upcoming meetings, engagements or points of decision from a range of stakeholders
• Ensure timely progression from work performed to billing and collection, supporting improved AR velocity and reduced time to collect
• Reduce execution risk by ensuring nothing “falls through the cracks” across global and cross‑regional activity
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in all interactions

Business Development & Revenue Enablement

• Support business development activity by coordinating client meetings, events, and follow‑ups
• Track opportunities, action items, and commitments to ensure momentum and conversion
• Engage with clients and client contacts directly to facilitate meetings or delivery of services
• Liaise with Business Development, Finance, and Practice Management to support pricing, pitches, billing readiness, and client communications
• Contribute to increased matter openings, new client intake, and healthy pipeline (WIP) growth through disciplined execution

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $135,000 - $145,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.
 

Qualifications

Your experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred
• 10+ years of Executive Assistant experience in a law firm or professional services environment
• Demonstrated ability to support senior leaders operating at scale
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of business and sales operations
• Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and general accounting procedures
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and judgment skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft products and AI tools
• High degree of discretion, professionalism, and emotional intelligence
• Compliance with the firm's policy requiring office presence at least three days per week
• Must be independently and legally authorized to work in the United States
   

Additional Information

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

Company Description

Who we are

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.