Executive Assistant (US Field)

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.  

Role Purpose

At Smith+Nephew, we are driven by our purpose of Life Unlimited helping restore people’s bodies and their self-belief. The Executive Assistant plays a critical role in enabling this purpose by acting as a highly proactive, trusted partner to a senior executive.

This role goes beyond traditional administrative support. The Executive Assistant operates as an extension of the leader, enabling focus on strategic priorities, supporting effective decision-making, and ensuring seamless execution in a fast-paced, global, matrixed environment.

What will you be doing?

Executive Partnership & Proactive Enablement

• Act as a trusted partner and advisor to the executive, anticipating needs, proactively identifying risks, and addressing issues before they escalate.

• Exercise strong judgment to manage competing priorities, stakeholder requests, and executive access.

Strategic Time & Priority Management

• Own end-to-end calendar and time strategy, ensuring the executive’s time is aligned to business priorities and enterprise outcomes.

• Proactively identify conflicts, inefficiencies, and trade-offs; recommend solutions that optimize impact.

• Prepare the executive with briefings, context, and key insights ahead of critical meetings and decisions.

Meeting, Rhythm & Decision Support

• Enable effective leadership forums, including agenda planning, pre-reads, and follow-up to ensure outcomes and accountability.

• Track decisions, actions, and commitments to ensure execution and closure.

• Support core business rhythms such as leadership meetings, operating cadence, offsites, planning cycles, and talent discussions.

Stakeholder & Communication Management

• Serve as a professional and reliable point of contact for senior internal and external stakeholders, representing the executive with credibility and discretion.

• Draft and manage executive communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Smith+Nephew values and priorities.

• Handle highly confidential and sensitive information with integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

Business & Operational Support

• Partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Legal, Communications, and other teams to enable efficient execution of executive priorities.

• Support preparation for key enterprise activities, such as talent reviews, business reviews, and leadership communications.

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, ways of working, and executive effectiveness.

• Book and coordinate all travel including completing expenses report.

Leadership & Role Modelling

• Act as a role model for Smith+Nephew behaviours, demonstrating collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.

• Provide informal mentoring or guidance to Executive Assistants, contributing to continuous improvement and capability uplift across the EA community.

What will you need to be successful?

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence through judgment, credibility, and trust

• Exceptional organizational skills with a proactive, anticipatory mindset

• Ability to operate independently in a complex, fast-paced, and matrixed global environment

• High levels of resilience, adaptability, and attention to detail

• Discretion and integrity in handling sensitive business and people matters

Technical & Business Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to synthesize information and provide concise executive-level insights

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams

• Experience supporting senior leaders in a regulated or highly complex organization preferred.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.

• Significant experience supporting senior leaders at VP level and above.

• Proven track record of operating as a proactive executive partner, not solely an administrative support role.

• Experience navigating confidentiality, ambiguity, and competing priorities.

• Ability to travel infrequently for team or other meetings.

**This position is not offering any type of visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future**

You Unlimited.

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.    

• Inclusion and Belonging- Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (https://www.smith-nephew.com/).

• Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Options, Tuition Reimbursement  

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day  

• Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program 

• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customized, Mentorship  

• Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!  

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $62,750 to $94, 250 USD annually.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, and geographic location. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

In addition to base pay, we offer competitive bonus and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, parental leave, generous PTO, paid company holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time annually, and a variety of wellness offerings such as EAP.

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-MA1

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.