Senior Executive Assistant/Executive Assistant, EMBA - Job Opportunity at Hong Kong University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 19, 2025
On-site
HKD 300,000 - 450,000 annually (USD 38,000 - 58,000). This estimate reflects Hong Kong's competitive academic sector salaries, the specialized nature of EMBA program support, and the university's prestigious market position. The role's requirement for bilingual capabilities and stakeholder relationship management commands premium compensation in the Hong Kong market.

Benefits

Two-year fixed-term contract providing job security and clear expectations for career planning
Contract-end gratuity offering financial reward upon successful completion of contract term
University contribution to retirement benefits scheme up to 10% of basic salary, providing substantial long-term financial security
Possibility of contract renewal based on performance, offering potential for extended career development
Opportunity to work at prestigious Cyberport campus, enhancing professional profile and networking opportunities
International travel opportunities for professional development and global exposure
Access to university resources and continuing education opportunities typical of academic institutions

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive administrative operations for the Executive Master of Business Administration Programme Office, directly impacting the success of high-level executive education initiatives
Drive strategic academic coordination efforts that ensure seamless delivery of world-class EMBA programming to senior business leaders
Orchestrate sophisticated student administration processes that maintain the university's reputation for excellence in executive education
Develop and maintain high-value relationships with EMBA students, alumni, and key stakeholders, contributing directly to the program's network strength and fundraising potential
Execute complex operational support that enables faculty and leadership to focus on strategic educational delivery and research initiatives
Manage flexible work arrangements including extended hours and international travel, demonstrating commitment to program excellence and global reach

Requirements

Education

good bachelor's degree

Experience

at least 1-2 years' work experience, preferably in a tertiary institution or in the education sector

Required Skills

good command of written and spoken English and Chinese fluency in Putonghua would be a definite advantage good organizational and interpersonal skills strong sense of responsibility computer literacy ability to work independently and under pressure to meet tight deadline good team players who are passionate in relationship-building attentive to details able to multi-task prior experience interacting with institutions and entrepreneurs in both China and overseas
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Executive education programs globally are experiencing unprecedented growth as senior professionals seek advanced credentials while maintaining their careers, creating sustained demand for specialized administrative support roles that can handle complex stakeholder relationships. The EMBA market in Asia-Pacific is particularly robust, with Hong Kong serving as a critical hub for cross-border business education connecting mainland China with international markets. Higher education institutions are increasingly focusing on premium executive programs as key revenue generators, leading to enhanced investment in administrative infrastructure and support staff. This trend is driving up compensation packages and career advancement opportunities for executive assistant roles in academic settings, particularly those supporting high-value programs. The integration of technology in executive education delivery, accelerated by recent global changes, is creating new administrative responsibilities around digital platform management, virtual event coordination, and hybrid learning support. Administrative professionals in this space must now balance traditional relationship management with sophisticated technical coordination capabilities.

Role Significance

Typically works within a small, specialized EMBA program team of 5-8 professionals, including program directors, academic coordinators, and marketing specialists. The role likely involves coordination with broader university departments and external partners, requiring strong collaborative skills across multiple organizational levels.
This role operates at a senior administrative level with significant autonomy and stakeholder interaction responsibilities. The position requires independent decision-making capabilities and serves as a critical liaison between high-level program participants, faculty, and institutional leadership. The dual-level posting (Executive Assistant/Senior Executive Assistant) indicates substantial growth potential and recognition of varying experience levels.

Key Projects

Annual EMBA cohort recruitment and onboarding campaigns involving coordination with admissions, marketing, and academic departments Executive education symposiums and networking events that bring together industry leaders, alumni, and current students International partnership development initiatives requiring coordination with overseas institutions and business organizations Alumni engagement programs designed to maintain long-term relationships and support fundraising objectives

Success Factors

Exceptional cultural intelligence and cross-border communication skills are critical given Hong Kong's role as an East-West business bridge and the program's international participant base. Success requires nuanced understanding of both Chinese business culture and Western executive expectations. Sophisticated relationship management capabilities that can maintain engagement with senior executives who have limited time and high expectations for service quality. This includes anticipating needs, proactive communication, and white-glove service delivery. Adaptive project management skills that can handle the dynamic nature of executive education programming, including last-minute changes, complex scheduling across time zones, and coordination of high-stakes events with minimal margin for error. Strategic thinking ability that extends beyond task completion to understanding how administrative excellence contributes to program reputation and participant satisfaction, ultimately impacting enrollment and institutional ranking.

Market Demand

High demand driven by Hong Kong's position as a regional education hub and the growing importance of executive education programs. The specific combination of academic administration experience, bilingual capabilities, and cross-cultural business acumen makes qualified candidates relatively scarce in the market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Trilingual communication capabilities (English, Chinese, Putonghua) are absolutely essential given Hong Kong's multicultural business environment and the program's diverse participant base. These language skills enable effective relationship building across cultural boundaries and ensure clear communication in complex, high-stakes situations. Advanced interpersonal and relationship management skills are fundamental to success, as the role requires building trust and maintaining ongoing engagement with senior executives who have demanding schedules and high service expectations. These skills directly impact program satisfaction and retention rates. Exceptional organizational and project coordination abilities are critical for managing the complex logistics of executive education programming, including coordinating across time zones, managing multiple stakeholders, and ensuring flawless execution of high-profile events and activities.

Beneficial Skills

Cross-cultural business acumen and understanding of international business practices enhance effectiveness when working with diverse executive populations and supporting global partnership initiatives. This knowledge helps anticipate needs and avoid cultural missteps in sensitive business relationships. Digital literacy and familiarity with modern communication and collaboration technologies are increasingly important as executive education programs incorporate more sophisticated delivery methods and maintain engagement through various digital channels. Strategic thinking and business process improvement capabilities allow the role holder to contribute beyond administrative tasks to program enhancement and operational excellence, positioning them for advancement opportunities within the organization.

Unique Aspects

The role offers rare exposure to senior executives from across Asia-Pacific's largest corporations and most dynamic entrepreneurial ventures, providing exceptional networking opportunities and insights into regional business trends and leadership practices.
Working within Hong Kong's unique 'One Country, Two Systems' framework provides distinctive experience in navigating complex regulatory and cultural environments that are highly valued in international business settings.
The position combines traditional academic administration with high-touch executive services, creating a unique skill set that bridges educational and corporate environments in ways that are increasingly valuable in the evolving education sector.
Access to Hong Kong University's extensive alumni network and corporate partnerships provides unusual opportunities for career development and potential transitions into corporate or entrepreneurial roles.

Career Growth

Advancement to program management roles typically occurs within 3-4 years with strong performance, while transition to business development or alumni relations roles may happen within 2-3 years depending on relationship-building success and additional qualifications acquired.

Potential Next Roles

Program Manager for Executive Education with expanded oversight of curriculum development and faculty coordination Director of Student Services for graduate business programs with team leadership responsibilities Business Development Manager focusing on corporate partnerships and executive education sales Alumni Relations Manager with specialization in high-net-worth individual engagement and fundraising support

Company Overview

Hong Kong University

Hong Kong University represents one of Asia's premier higher education institutions with particular strength in business education and research. The university's Faculty of Business and Economics maintains strong international rankings and extensive corporate partnerships throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The institution's commitment to executive education reflects its strategic positioning as a bridge between East and West business practices.

The university holds a dominant market position in Hong Kong's competitive higher education landscape and maintains strong recognition throughout Greater China and internationally. Its EMBA programs compete directly with top-tier global business schools, attracting senior executives from multinational corporations and regional business leaders.
Hong Kong University serves as a critical educational hub for the Asia-Pacific region, with particular strength in serving mainland Chinese executives seeking international business education. The Cyberport campus location reinforces the university's connection to Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.
Academic institutions typically offer collaborative, mission-driven work environments with emphasis on intellectual growth, professional development, and work-life balance. The university environment provides exposure to cutting-edge research, diverse international perspectives, and opportunities for continuous learning alongside academic and industry leaders.
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