Key Skills

Job Description

ABOUT US Arion Retail Group is a leader in international retail, bringing some of the world’s most iconic and inspiring brands to consumers across Europe. Headquartered in Amsterdam and operating across 14 European countries, we combine strong local expertise with the scale, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit of an international group. THE ROLE We are looking for an experienced, highly capable and proactive Executive & Personal Assistant to support our CEO. This is a high-trust role at the heart of a fast-moving, international organisation. It requires someone who can operate with confidence, discretion and sound judgement, anticipating needs rather than simply reacting to them. You will work closely with the CEO and interact daily with senior leaders, internal teams and external stakeholders across multiple countries. The role combines executive and personal support and requires a high degree of flexibility, including international travel and, when required, travel over weekends. THE DAY-TO-DAY Take full ownership of the CEO’s complex and constantly evolving diary, ensuring priorities are reflected effectively and anticipating potential conflicts. Coordinate meetings across multiple countries, time zones and senior stakeholders. Organise complex international travel, including flights, accommodation, transfers, itineraries and last-minute changes. Prepare the CEO for meetings, ensuring relevant information, materials and context are available in advance. Attend or follow up on key meetings when required and ensure agreed actions are progressed appropriately. Following meetings, use sound judgement when coordinating next steps. This does not mean simply sending task lists to senior Heads of Department. You will first seek to understand the wider context, discuss priorities and dependencies with the relevant stakeholders, and seek their advice where appropriate. You will work collaboratively to clarify what is needed, who is best placed to support it and how it should be progressed. Act as a key point of coordination between the CEO, Heads of Department and other internal and external stakeholders. Manage confidential and sensitive information with absolute discretion. Provide personal assistance to the CEO when required. Anticipate needs, identify issues before they arise and proactively find solutions. Support ad-hoc projects and priorities as required in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment. ABOUT YOU You are an experienced Executive or Personal Assistant who has supported a CEO, founder or similarly senior executive in a demanding, international environment. You are confident, mature and comfortable working with senior stakeholders. You understand that successful diary management requires awareness of other senior leaders’ agendas, priorities and constraints — not simply managing the CEO’s calendar in isolation. You build strong, trusted relationships with Heads of Department and key stakeholders across the organisation. You have the confidence to step in, advise and challenge constructively when necessary rather than simply execute instructions - your CEO success lays also here. You understand context and can distinguish between what is genuinely urgent and what can wait. You are highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities while remaining calm when plans change. You are naturally proactive and think several steps ahead. You have excellent judgement and know when to act independently and when to consult others. You communicate clearly, professionally and diplomatically at all levels. You are discreet and understand the level of confidentiality required when working closely with a CEO. You are flexible and comfortable with an international role that may occasionally require travel or availability outside standard working hours, including weekends. Fluent English is essential. Spanish or Italian would be a strong advantage. This is an opportunity to work closely with the CEO of a rapidly growing international retail group and to play an important role in enabling both the CEO and the wider leadership team to operate at their best. A work permit in Netherlands is requuired. Apply to: [email protected]

Core Responsibilities

Manage the CEO’s complex schedule, international travel, meeting preparation, and follow-up, while providing personal assistance and handling sensitive information discreetly. Coordinate effectively with senior leaders and other stakeholders, anticipate needs, and support ad hoc projects and priorities.

Requirements

Requires substantial experience supporting a CEO, founder, or similarly senior executive in a demanding international environment, along with strong organization, judgment, discretion, and stakeholder communication skills. Fluent English and a Netherlands work permit are essential; Spanish or Italian is an advantage, and flexibility for occasional travel and weekend availability is expected.