Executive Assistant

As Executive Assistant to our COO, Nicolai, you’ll have a huge impact in our mission to increase economic opportunities for Africans across the globe. NALA is a groundbreaking fintech company that aims to build a bank for the African diaspora, starting with a focus on remittances. Our goal is to provide innovative financial services and infrastructure that connect Africans living overseas with their loved ones back home. Backed by prominent investors including Balderton Capital, Y-Combinator, Accel Partners, and notable fintech angel investors, we are poised for rapid growth and success..

In this role, you'll provide high-level administrative support to our COO, ensuring efficient management of his schedule, facilitating communication with internal and external stakeholders, and overseeing various operational tasks. Your organizational skills, attention to detail, and proactive approach will be crucial in optimizing Nicolai’s productivity and contributing to NALA's strategic objectives. As a part of this role, you’ll dive deeply into learning how our company operates, how each different department functions, and then use that knowledge strategically to ensure our COO is getting the most value out of every day.

Calendar and Time Management - You’ll be responsible for scheduling meetings, events, and dedicated focus time to help Nicolai’s day run smoothly and with maximum impact.

External meeting coordination - You’ll be coordinating and confirming all of Nicolai’s external meetings with stakeholders, and making sure they’re actually effective. You’ll always be asking yourself “Will this meeting help Nicolai solve what’s worrying him most?”

Coming prepared - You’ll be getting stuck into all of the prep that makes our external engagements effective, researching and writing pre-meeting briefs, preparing agenda’s, and helping beautify slide decks. 

Triaging internal requests - You’ll help Nicolai stay on top of the issues and requests within Nala that need his attention. You’ll triage and prioritize, stay on top of requests, and ensure our incredible employees feel connected to their COO. 

1:1 Scheduling - Nico has a big team, and you’ll be responsible for ensuring he has a strong connection with everyone in it. This means staying on top of scheduling his 121’s, setting reminders, and flagging any gaps. 

Weekly Goals and Planning - You’ll be closely monitoring Nico’s weekly goals, understanding priorities, monitoring progress, and 

Help keep us on track - You’ll monitor progress on goal-based tasks, alerting the COO to potential changes, challenges, or adjustments.

Weekly Team Reporting and Insights - Gather and consolidate weekly reports from team leads, organizing insights and key points for the COO’s review.

Personal Assistance and Ad Hoc Support - Manage personal arrangements, including booking restaurants, travel, accommodation. Set up reminders and assist with special events like birthdays and anniversaries, supporting the COO’s personal commitments.

Working pattern - This role will primarily be office based (3-4 days per week), matching our COO’s work pattern, and will occasionally involve travel when required.

• Proven EA Experience: You’ve been an Executive Assistant before, ideally to a founder, COO, or C-suite leader. You’re used to the pace and demands of high-pressure roles. Bonus points if you’ve worked in a startup environment, and extra kudos if that startup was fintech.
  
• Master of Organization: You thrive on creating order out of chaos. Juggling calendars, priorities, and conflicting demands is your bread and butter.
  
• Exceptional Communicator: Whether it's crafting polished emails, preparing meeting briefs, or flagging priorities, you excel at clear, concise communication.
  
• Problem Solver at Heart: You’re constantly asking yourself, “How can I make this better, smoother, or more effective?” and proactively finding solutions to problems before they arise.
  
• Relationship Builder: You’re great at working with people, whether it’s connecting with internal teams or coordinating with external stakeholders. You ensure everyone feels heard and supported.
  
• Attention to Detail: Nothing slips past you. From scheduling to preparing slide decks, you take pride in getting the small things right.
  
• Highly Adaptable: You’re comfortable navigating shifting priorities and quick changes, staying calm and focused no matter what comes your way.
  
• Tech-Savvy: You’re confident using tools like Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, or similar platforms to keep things running smoothly.
  
• Discretion and Trust: You handle sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality and care.
  
• Flexibility to Travel: You’re open to occasional travel and happy to adapt your schedule to match the COO’s work patterns.

🤩 What's in it for you

• Salary: Aligned with current market rates for similar roles in the industry.
• 35 Days Off: Enjoy an amazing 35 days of holidays to unwind and explore.
•  Birthday Leave: Celebrate your special day with a bonus day off to take off in that month
•  Learning Budget: Fuel your growth with $1000 annually for learning and development.
•  Hybrid Working: We work 3 days a week in the office (Mon, Wed, Fri)
•  Sarabi: Themed snacks and Friday lunch with a focus on building great working relationships with the team.
•  Global Workspace: Get access to WeWork locations worldwide.
•  Monthly Socials: Join fun social events every month for great times
•  Free Coffee: Enjoy barista-style coffee at your fingertips.
•  Office Fun: Play pool and table tennis when you need a break