Special Assistant Job Description and Responsibilities

Even though the particular job tasks can range broadly depending on the function of the organization for which they are employed, the majority of special assistants operate as counselors and surrogates for their superior, usually an individual of some importance. Nothing like administrative assistants, the largest part of all special assistants has a noteworthy amount of self-sufficiency and managerial authority.

Representing Their Superior

The majority of special assistants are given with the power to embody their superior at important events that they do not go to, such as managerial meetings or community forums. The special assistant is frequently active as a delegate of their superior, addressing on their behalf and deciding in their name.

Implementing Plans and Programs

Not like administrative assistants, the majority of special assistants are in charge of the design and implementation of plans and programs that help their superior to go through with assigned tasks. This necessitates the special assistant to possess significant background in their boss's area of expertise.

Improving Effectiveness

One of the extra responsibilities of special assistants is identifying incompetence in their company's processes and advising solutions and corrections. This can get many shapes, for instance logistical issues or a wrong direction in examining important priorities.

Evaluating Projects

In addition, numerous special assistants will be in charge with the evaluation of projects whose function is inside their boss's expertise. This will enclose researching facts about the project and its application, evaluating it, and putting together statistics to show how successful and efficient it will be.

Carrying Out Research

Special assistants will habitually be required to do considerable amounts of investigation that they will then be synthesized and after that presented to their higher authority or other parties as assigned. This research can be historical, statistical or administrative and may need the meeting of both written papers and the interviews of significant individuals.

Prepare and Conduct Presentations

Frequently, special assistants, performing their superior's will, will construct presentations, presenting the conclusions of the research or supplying instruction.

Perform as Their Superior's Counselor

Special assistants regularly act as casual advisers to their bosses, providing direction about resolutions and offering feedback on controversial ideas. This entails that the special assistant be interested and instructed in their superior's business, transforming them, one way or another, more into a junior colleague than into an assistant.

Apprising Their Superior

Special assistants are more often than not in charge for maintaining their boss apprised on any amount of issues consigned to this. These matters can consist of information collected at the events the special assistant has been present at in their superior's name or extra noteworthy information collected during performing their official tasks.

Overseeing Staff

Special assistants will frequently oversee the staff within their boss's department. This will also take care of the identification of available positions, the promotion for the new openings, the interviewing prospective applicants and instructing the new employees.


According to the web site Indeed.com, the regular special assistant will receive an approximate payment of $44,000 a year. This salary is with 37% lower than the average of US salaries for all jobs.