Simera Professional Key (SPK)

Fiona D

South Africa

Personal Assistant to CEO - Independant Contractor

$ 3,700/month

10+ yrs exp

I’m an experienced Executive Personal Assistant with over 25 years of supporting CEOs, founders, and senior leaders on C-Suite level as well as Board Members in fast-paced, international environments. I’m known for staying calm and steady under pressure, while bringing a strong sense of organisation, discretion, and reliability to everything I do. My role goes beyond the day-to-day. I work closely with executives to support their priorities—helping to keep focus on what matters most, preparing b…

Skills

  • IT Management
  • Property Management
  • Expense Tracking
  • Accounting Software (QuickBooks, Xero)
  • International Trade
  • Administrative and Executive Support
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Accountability
  • Expense Management
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
  • Ability to establish rapport and maintain positive relationships
  • Executive Support
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
  • Calendar & Inbox Management
  • Patience & Stress Management
  • ERP Management
  • 8. Written & Verbal Communication
  • 10. Remote Collaboration (Slack, Zoom, Trello)
  • management
  • B2B Management
  • High-Level Travel and Expense Management
  • DNS Management
  • Ability to work remotely and independently
  • KPI Management
  • SLA Management
  • Cross-Border Executive Communication
  • HOA Management
  • Tme Management
  • UAT Management

Fiona D

South Africa

Personal Assistant to CEO - Independant Contractor

$ 3,700 /month

10+ yrs exp

I’m an experienced Executive Personal Assistant with over 25 years of supporting CEOs, founders, and senior leaders on C-Suite level as well as Board Members in fast-paced, international environments. I’m known for staying calm and steady under pressure, while bringing a strong sense of organisation, discretion, and reliability to everything I do. My role goes beyond the day-to-day. I work closely with executives to support their priorities—helping to keep focus on what matters most, preparing b…

Skills

  • IT Management
  • Property Management
  • Expense Tracking
  • Accounting Software (QuickBooks, Xero)
  • International Trade
  • Administrative and Executive Support
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Accountability
  • Expense Management
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
  • Ability to establish rapport and maintain positive relationships
  • Executive Support
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
  • Calendar & Inbox Management
  • Patience & Stress Management
  • ERP Management
  • 8. Written & Verbal Communication
  • 10. Remote Collaboration (Slack, Zoom, Trello)
  • management
  • B2B Management
  • High-Level Travel and Expense Management
  • DNS Management
  • Ability to work remotely and independently
  • KPI Management
  • SLA Management
  • Cross-Border Executive Communication
  • HOA Management
  • Tme Management
  • UAT Management

Personal Assistant to CEO - Independant Contractor

Schlageter Institute (Germany)
September 2024 - June 2026

Company based in Germany. Working 100% remotely from Pretoria, South Africa. Freelance/Independent Contractor. Client Communication: Act as primary liaison for all of the CEO’s clients, ensuring prompt, polished, and professional communication. Supplier Coordination: Source, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships across multiple industries to support the CEO’s varied personal and professional requirements. Scheduling & Calendar Management: Coordinate and maintain the CEO’s calendar, ensuring seamless planning of all meetings, appointments, and engagements. Property & Tenant Management: Oversee day to day management of the CEO’s properties in three different countries. Media Relations: Manage all incoming television interview requests, including schedule coordination, preparation of briefing materials, and follow up communication with media teams. Contact Database Management: Maintain and update the CEO’s comprehensive contact database, ensuring key relationships are accurately recorded, nurtured, and effectively managed. Global Travel Management: Plan and coordinate all aspects of the CEO’s international travel, including flights, accommodations, ground transport, visas, and detailed travel itineraries. Financial Administration: Track and manage payment deadlines, issue reminders, and process personal and business-related expenses in a timely and accurate manner. Document & Presentation Support: Prepare, edit, and proofread documents, presentations, and reports as needed. Task & Priority Management: Proactively manage priorities to ensure the CEO’s day runs efficiently, anticipating needs and resolving potential issues before they arise. Confidentiality: Handle all information and engagements with the highest level of discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Executive Assistant to CEOs, CFOs, COOs and MDs – Independent Contractor

Tolcon Group Pty Ltd
December 2020 - January 2024

Based in Pretoria, South Africa working hybridly as 100% Freelance/Independent Contractor. • Coordinate all domestic and international travel arrangements, including visa applications and Forex. • Organize, manage, and maintain diaries for C Suite executives. • Arrange and coordinate quarterly Board Meetings between Management and key Stakeholders. • Schedule internal monthly Unit and Steercom meetings. • Prepare minutes for Monthly Unit and Steercom meetings and distribute them upon approval. • Perform general administrative duties, including photocopying, faxing, mailing, and filing. • Review, process, and approve supply requisitions. • Prepare and reconcile expense and travel claims for senior staff members and C-suite. • Complete credit card reconciliations for Senior Management, including the CEO and CFO. • Establish and enforce standards and procedures for general office conduct. • Ensure compliance with all office policies, standards, and procedures. • Monitor telephone usage and distribute telephone accounts to office staff. • Prepare proposals, presentations, correspondence, and reports. • Coordinate Sub Consultancy Agreements, liaising with specialists and Legal to formalize contracts. • Manage business card requirements for staff and request new cards as needed. • Oversee onboarding of new employees, including workstation and system access setup. • Maintain divisional organograms. • Assist in resolving IT related issues and liaise with the IT Help Desk when necessary. • Arrange annual medical examinations for Executives. • Coordinate medical booking requirements for international travel, incl. vaccinations. • Oversee daily roster management for three office attendants and a driver. • Complete annual performance reviews for for three office attendants and a driver. • Manage building maintenance requirements and coordinate contractors for repairs and related services.

Executive PA to Group CEO

Outdoor Investment Holdings
December 2018 - January 2020

Coordinate all domestic and international travel arrangements, including visa applications and Forex. • Organize, manage, and maintain diaries for CEO. • Arrange and coordinate Board Meetings between Management and key Stakeholders. • Schedule internal monthly Unit and Steercom meetings. • Prepare minutes for Monthly Unit and Steercom meetings and distribute them upon approval. • Manage and maintain key client relationships. • Perform general administrative duties, including photocopying, faxing, mailing, and filing. • Assist with personal errands for CEO and his family. • Prepare and reconcile expense and travel claims for Senior Managers and CEO. • Complete credit card reconciliations for Senior Management, including the CEO and CFO. • Prepare proposals, presentations, correspondence, and reports. • Compile tender documentation. • Conduct research to source suppliers and service providers as required. • Assist in resolving IT related issues and liaise with the IT Help Desk when necessary.

Senior Administrative Assistant – Advisory (Environment & Planning)

Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd
February 2012 - January 2019

Responsibility as PA to UM • Diary management for UM (appointments, setting of reminders, etc.) • Managing of incoming and outgoing telephone calls for UM and conveying messages to UM • Printing of meeting documentation for meetings that UM attends • Typing requirements • Compilation of spreadsheets or PowerPoint slides • Where necessary arrange meeting venue/telecom dial in details • Catering arrangements where necessary • Processing of expense and kilometer claims for UM • Maintain Unit’s BST groups for e-Expense / km claims • Scheduling of Management Meetings for UM and his management team (monthly and weekly meetings) • Minute taking at meetings • Prepare agenda and minutes of meetings • Action items for UM / remind him of actions recorded at meeting • Collate information received from team secretaries in terms of expenses to be approved at the meeting • Obtain HC, Q&E and Staff Utilisation information for monthly management meeting document • Prepare management meeting document and hand out to TDs prior to meeting • Regularly update management team contact list for UM • Keep UM updated with regards to staff social news (birthdays etc) and new staff that have joined the Unit. • Travel arrangements: Flights, care hire, accommodation, forex Responsibility as Unit Secretary • Reminder to TDs and their teams with regards to outstanding timesheets • Compile and update staff lists / keeping of leave register • Stationary orders for the Unit • Scheduling of staff tea time socials (when necessary) • Prepare announcements for UM to communicate to staff once a week at the tea time social (when necessary) • Scheduling of staff meetings • Coordinate agenda for staff meetings • Catering arrangements for staff meetings / tea time socials • Email communication to staff in the Unit when required • Coordinating UM approval and signature for TDs and their teams when necessary for invoices, etc • Keeping record of all approvals signed by UM • Consolidating unit / staff information as and when necessary (training schedules, surveys, etc) and forwarding of information to the relevant departments • Support to staff in the unit when they require assistance • General office admin (filing of documentation etc) • Coordination and management of staff functions • Coordination and management of Gauteng DC socials (designing of invitations, distribution of invites, décor, assistance after hours when function is over) • Assist TDs and or their staff when team secretaries are on leave Assisting Development Planning Team as Team Secretary • Typing requirements • All expense claims loading on BST and ensuring approval • All timesheets loading on BST and ensuring approval • Assisting with catering requirements for meetings • Scheduling of meetings and ensuring availability of boardrooms • Assisting with all international/local travel arrangements • Forex arrangements for international travel • Reconciliation of forex when travelers return • Printing, scanning etc for the team when required • Assisting with all general admin / secretarial ad hoc duties when required Assisting Traffic & Transportation Planning Team as Team Secretary • All staff within Traffic & Transportation Team with leave forms, approvals and maintenance of the leave register • All expense claims for Traffic & Transportation Team • Timesheet management for Traffic & Transportation Team

Executive PA to CEO

Intercare Managed Healthcare (Pty) Ltd
October 2010 - February 2012

High level administrative PA tasks for Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer: • Prepare correspondence, reports and materials for presentations using PowerPoint • Set-up travel arrangements, including accommodation. for internal and external stakeholders as and when required. • Screening telephone calls, enquiries and requests when appropriate. • Meet and greet clients and visitors. • To develop and maintain structures for open and effective communication within the Company. • Coordinate project-based work Office Management: • Organizing and maintaining the CEO’s complex diary. • Assist with the management of Executive Management’s Diaries as and when required. • Set-up and coordinate meetings between Management and Stakeholders. • Set-up and coordinate conferences. • Manage catering requirements for special functions/events, appropriate refreshments for meetings and directors’ special requirements • Manage and coordinate events and functions within approved budget • Schedule internal Senior Management Meetings • Create, transcribe, and distribute meeting agendas and minutes. • Coordinate key relationships with clients and maintenance thereof. • Perform general clerical duties including but not limited to: photocopying, faxing, mailing, and filing. • Review and approve supply requisitions • Administration and coordination of commercial and procurement actions (e.g. orders, travel, payments) • Research, price and purchase office supplies. • Handling of Petty cash (float of R6 000 per month). • Establish standards and procedures for general office conduct. • Ensure that all Office standards and procedures are implemented and complied with. • Monitor phone calls and distribute telephone accounts to all office staff. • Any ad-hoc duties as and when required. • Set-up and coordinate bi-annual Clinical Governance Meeting for all MD’s of Medical and Dental Inc’s within Intercare Group nationally. • Co-ordinate all travel and accommodation for bi-annual Clinical Governance Meeting for all MD’s of Medical and Dental Inc’s within Intercare Group nationally.

Chief Administrative Assistant – Plant Technology

Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Ltd
March 2005 - September 2010

Plant Technology Divisional Budgets within Engineering BU: • Obtain necessary inputs for, compile the overhead budget and ensure review and approval thereof • Maintaining the master budget and budgeting reports for Plant Technology Division • Developed a suitable reporting format for monthly expenditure and forecast reports • Generating monthly and ad-hoc financial and procurement status reports • Supporting Departmental Manager with IFS data capturing, changes and generation of change requests • Administration and coordination of commercial and procurement actions (e.g. orders, travel, payments) • Liaising with Procurement department to ensure that contracts are in place • Establishing internal control procedures and systems for, report and follow up on all outstanding procurement and budgeting actions until delivery or conclusion thereof High level administrative PA tasks: • Updating of Divisional organograms • Presentations • Managing of documents on the TCEngineering package • Ensure high level of confidentiality at all times • To provide the Directors / Executives with the assistance where required • Expense claims • Stationery and Catering • Client interaction and engagement • Diary Management • Completion and maintenance of personnel competency records • Coordinating the development of, and maintain individual training plans for all personnel • Arranging and coordination of training required for personnel • Manage catering requirements for special functions/events, appropriate refreshments for meetings and directors’ special requirements • Manage and coordinate events and functions within approved budget • Research and investigations – find suppliers of products and services as the need arises • Preparation of proposals, presentations, correspondence and reports General Admin and Support: • Assisting in solving Information Technology problems and liaising with the IT Help Desk where necessary • Provide general office administrative support to Divisional Manager: Plant Technology. • Diary management and scheduling of appointments • Filing, including setting up and maintaining a filing index • Source promotional items • Scheduling of appointments • Diarising and follow up of actions required by Manager • Arrangement of parking, directions etc. • Liaison with all meeting attendees and sending out invitations • Daily checking of meetings scheduled for the week and confirmation of such • Travel arrangement, both domestic and international • Event Management • Organising venues and refreshments for meetings • Conference bookings • Organising agenda's, information packs etc. • Handling all related matters Office Management: • Maintain an effective centralised filing system • General administration • Professional documentation • Reports for Exco • Assist with compilation of presentations as required (including formatting, binding and proof reading) • Minutes • Support the Manager as process owner • Liaise with the relevant people regarding input to reports • Organize monthly/weekly meetings/catering/etc. • Act as point of contact for all staff members for INPO (Institute Nuclear Power Operators), other Execs, GM’s, and Business Units.

Senior Administrative Manager

F Pohl Town & Regional Planning
August 1999 - February 2005

• Responsible for all administrative personnel • Liaised with City Council Officials • Follow up of all application processes at City Councils in SA • Monthly Status Quo & Cash Flow reports to clients • Meetings with Senior Officials if needed to sort out any problems that may have arisen in applications • Responsible for typing all letters of appointment • Typed correspondence relevant to applications • All glossy brochures / information pamphlets (Layout done on PowerPoint) • All capability profiles for company (PowerPoint/MSWord) • General coordination of computers/telephone • Responsible for all general queries with regards to applications • Diary of Owner • Typed all confidential correspondence • Typed all agendas and minutes of meetings • Typed reports and tender documentation (MSWord/Excel) • Handled all letters of appointment (typing) (MSWord) • Typed correspondence relevant to applications • All glossy brochures / information pamphlets - layout done on PowerPoint) • All capability profiles for company (PowerPoint/MSWord) • Served refreshments • Handled all in and outgoing post / deliveries • Screened incoming calls to owner • Company switchboard and facsimile • Reception of clients • Organisation of travel accommodation/flights etc • General coordination of computers/telephone • Handled all general queries

Personal Assistant to Director & Associates

Africon Engineering
August 1995 - July 1999

• Diary of Director • Typed all confidential correspondence • Dictaphone typing of agendas • Dictaphone typing of all minutes of meetings • Typed all reports and tender documentation (MSWord/Excel) • All PowerPoint presentations for division & Divisional MD • Typed all Schedule/Bills of Quantities (Excel) • General typing of correspondence (MSWord) • All glossy brochures / information pamphlets - Layout in MSWord & PowerPoint) • All capability profiles for company (MSWord & PowerPoint) • Served refreshments • Handled all in and outgoing post / deliveries • Screened incoming calls to Director • Reception of clients • Organisation of travel accommodation/flights etc • General coordination of computers/telephone • Handled all general queries

Personal Assistant to Director

BKS Engineering
August 1993 - July 1995

• Diary of Director • Typed all confidential correspondence • Dictaphone typing of agendas • Dictaphone typing of all minutes of meetings • Typed all reports and tender documentation (MSWord/Excel) • All PowerPoint presentations for division & Divisional MD • Typed all Schedule/Bills of Quantities (Excel) • General typing of correspondence (MSWord) • All glossy brochures / information pamphlets - Layout in MSWord & PowerPoint) • All capability profiles for company (MSWord & PowerPoint) • Served refreshments • Handled all in and outgoing post / deliveries • Screened incoming calls to Director • Reception of clients • Organisation of travel accommodation/flights etc • General coordination of computers/telephone • Handled all general queries

Smart Scores

Communication
90
Role Fit
100
Adaptability
80
Problem-solving
80

Smart Skills

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