Executive Assistant Jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
Executive assistants in Virginia Beach support hospital vice presidents, school division leaders and company owners, with the metro median near $67,600 a year and top earners past $100,000. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to move up into the role.
Current executive assistant Openings in Virginia Beach, VA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Executive Assistant Work in Virginia Beach
Executive support jobs in Virginia Beach cluster around the region's headquarters and health systems. Sentara, the largest private employer in the city, hires executive assistants to support vice presidents and senior vice presidents, and the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU medical campus in Norfolk hires them for its top administrators. Virginia Beach City Public Schools runs a three-level executive office associate track, and private companies around Town Center and the rest of the city often recruit through staffing firms; Robert Half and Commonwealth Staffing have both posted Virginia Beach executive-level openings.
Pay here runs below the national figure. Federal wage data puts the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk median for executive assistants about 12 percent under the US median, but the spread is wide, and assistants who support top leaders in Virginia Beach or across the I-264 corridor in Norfolk can pass $100,000. Discretion, calendar control for several leaders and polished writing count for more than typing speed.
Top Virginia Beach Employers Hiring Executive Assistants
These Hampton Roads employers have posted executive assistant roles on their own career sites:
- Sentara Health - hires executive assistants in Virginia Beach to support vice presidents and senior vice presidents across the health system.
- Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU - the former EVMS campus in Norfolk hires executive assistants for its senior leadership team.
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools - the school division's job titles include executive office associate at levels I, II and III.
- Robert Half - the staffing firm recruits permanent, onsite executive assistants for Virginia Beach companies.
Executive Assistant Salaries in Virginia Beach
- Entry level: about $48,000 to $56,000 a year for assistants stepping up from an administrative role.
- Experienced: roughly $56,000 to $83,000 a year, with the metro median near $67,600.
- Senior: about $83,000 to $100,000 or more for assistants supporting a president, CEO or several senior executives.
These are estimates based on federal wage data for the metro and recent local postings, and they vary by employer and scope. Robert Half has advertised a Virginia Beach executive assistant role at $72,000 to $80,000. Supporting more than one executive, managing board materials, and a bachelor's degree all push pay up, while hospital and school roles trade some salary for strong benefits and retirement plans.
How to Become an Executive Assistant in Virginia Beach
Most local postings want three or more years of executive or senior administrative experience; Sentara asks for a high school diploma plus at least three years as an executive assistant, and private employers often prefer a bachelor's degree. Virginia does not license executive assistants. Tidewater Community College's Administrative Support Technology associate degree, offered at the Virginia Beach Campus, is built for administrative and executive assistant work and prepares students for IAAP and Microsoft exams. Some assistants add a Virginia notary commission from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which is open to people who live in Virginia or work here regularly, including commuters from North Carolina.
What the Job Involves
Executive assistants manage one or more leaders' calendars, screen requests for their time, plan travel, prepare agendas and briefing materials, take minutes at senior meetings, draft correspondence, track deadlines and follow up on action items. Many also handle expense reports, board or committee logistics, confidential personnel paperwork and special projects.
Skills Employers Look For
- Advanced Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Calendar management for several executives
- Polished business writing and editing
- Strict discretion with confidential information
- Travel, meeting and event planning
- Judgment to prioritize and say no on a leader's behalf
Career Path and Advancement
In Virginia Beach most executive assistants come up from administrative assistant or office associate jobs; at VBCPS that ladder is written into the executive office associate I, II and III titles. From there, assistants move to supporting more senior leaders, to chief of staff or office manager roles, or into HR, project coordination and operations. A CAP certification or a finished degree helps when competing for the top roles at Sentara and the Norfolk medical campus.
Related Careers in Virginia Beach
If executive support interests you, these related Virginia Beach roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do executive assistants make in Virginia Beach?
Federal wage data puts the metro median near $67,600 a year, with the middle half earning about $55,000 to $83,000. Assistants supporting top executives can pass $100,000.
Do executive assistants need a license or certification in Virginia?
No license is required. Optional credentials such as the IAAP Certified Administrative Professional or Microsoft Office Specialist help, and a Virginia notary commission from the Secretary of the Commonwealth is a useful add-on for assistants who handle contracts.
How much experience do I need to become an executive assistant?
Most Virginia Beach postings ask for at least three years of executive or senior administrative support, and some want four to six. Many people get there by starting as an administrative assistant and taking on more responsibility for one leader.
Is a degree required for executive assistant jobs in Virginia Beach?
Not always. Sentara has asked for a high school diploma plus executive assistant experience, while many private and university roles prefer a bachelor's degree. TCC's Administrative Support Technology associate degree at the Virginia Beach Campus is a common middle path.
Can I live in North Carolina and be a notary in Virginia Beach?
Yes, if you are regularly employed in Virginia and notarize as part of that job, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You must also be at least 18, read and write English and meet the other eligibility rules.
Ready to apply? Browse all Executive Assistant jobs in Virginia Beach, VA on LocalJobPage and apply today.