Executive Assistant to the Director General in Lausanne

Executive Assistant to the Director General

About Us

The International Skating Union (ISU) is the world governing body for Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating and Synchronized Skating.

Founded in 1892, the ISU is the oldest international winter sports federation and today works with more than 100 Member Federations across nearly 80 countries to grow and develop skating worldwide.

At the heart of the ISU is a bold ambition: to create a world where everyone can experience and enjoy the thrill of skating.

Through Vision 2030, the ISU is transforming the future of skating by becoming an athlete-first, member-focused and fan-centric organisation, driving innovation, growth and global engagement across all disciplines.

What makes the ISU unique is the opportunity to combine the passion of sport with meaningful global impact.

As part of a close-knit and collaborative team, you'll have the chance to contribute to the growth of a worldwide sport, work with stakeholders across continents and help shape the future of skating for generations to come.

Our DNA is to be Inspiring, Supportive, Unstoppable.

The Role

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative, operational, and coordination support to the Director General, ensuring the smooth day‑to‑day operation of the Director General's Office and the effective execution of strategic priorities.

Acting as a trusted partner to the Director General, the Executive Assistant anticipates needs, takes initiative, and proactively removes obstacles to optimise workflow and organisational effectiveness.

The role serves as a key liaison between the Director General and a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, requiring exceptional professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.

Working within a global organisation and international sporting environment across multiple time zones, the role demands flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure while effectively managing competing priorities.

The Executive Assistant plays an important role in enabling the Director General to focus on strategic leadership, governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Administration
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Director General, including calendar management, meeting scheduling, correspondence management, and travel coordination.
• Anticipate priorities and proactively manage competing demands on the Director General's time.
• Coordinate appointments, invitations, and logistical arrangements to ensure the efficient management of the Director General's Office.
• Serve as a primary point of contact between the Director General and internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Member Federations, Council Members, athletes, partners, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure communications are handled professionally, efficiently, and confidentially.
• Executive Documentation
• Prepare, review, and coordinate presentations, reports, briefing papers, agendas, and other documents required by the Director General.
• Ensure all materials are accurate, professionally presented, and delivered in a timely manner.
• Meeting Coordination & Follow‑up
• Organise meetings involving the Director General, including scheduling, logistics, agenda preparation, and circulation of meeting materials.
• Attend meetings as required, prepare minutes, record decisions, and track follow‑up actions.
• Maintain action trackers and monitor progress against agreed deadlines.
• Briefing & Meeting Preparation
• Research, compile, and prepare briefing materials and background information for meetings, events, and stakeholder engagements.
• Ensure the Director General is fully prepared for all engagements and decision‑making discussions.
• Draft, proofread, and edit correspondence, emails, speeches, presentations, reports, and other communications on behalf of the Director General.
• Ensure messaging is clear, professional, and aligned with ISU objectives and priorities.
• Internal Communications Support
• Support the communication of key messages and decisions from the Director General to staff and stakeholders.
• Assist in coordinating communications relating to strategic initiatives, organisational priorities, and governance matters.
• Event & Engagement Coordination
• Coordinate conferences, events, official functions, and stakeholder engagements involving the Director General.
• Manage associated logistics, travel arrangements, hospitality requirements, and stakeholder coordination.
• Liaise with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful execution.
• International Event Coordination
• Coordinate the Director General's participation in ISU events and international meetings related to figure skating, speed skating, and the broader Olympic Movement.
• Manage schedules, supporting documentation, stakeholder meetings, and travel arrangements associated with these engagements.
• Welcome and host visitors to the ISU on behalf of the Director General's Office.
• Ensure all interactions reflect the professionalism, values, and reputation of the ISU.
• Strategic Project Support
• Assist in tracking, coordinating, and reporting on strategic projects and organisational initiatives.
• Monitor progress against milestones and facilitate follow‑up with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the organisation and administration of Council meetings, including logistics, agenda preparation, meeting documentation, minute‑taking, action tracking, and stakeholder communications.
• Contribute to the preparation of meeting materials to support effective discussion and decision‑making.
• Confidentiality & Professional Conduct
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion and integrity.
• Exercise sound judgement when managing confidential matters and stakeholder communications.
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality at all times.

About You

You are a highly organised, proactive, and service‑oriented professional who thrives in a fast‑paced international environment.

You are comfortable working with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders and possess the judgement, diplomacy, and discretion required to manage sensitive matters.

You enjoy being one step ahead, anticipating needs before they arise, and ensuring that complex schedules, projects, and stakeholder interactions run smoothly and efficiently.

You take ownership of your work, maintain exceptional attention to detail, and remain calm and effective when priorities shift.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package aligned with senior‑level responsibilities.
• The opportunity to lead and shape world‑class international sporting events at the highest level.
• A dynamic, multicultural, and collaborative working environment at the heart of a global federation.
• Opportunities for international travel, executive exposure, and professional growth.
• A strategic leadership role contributing to the enhancement of athlete, stakeholder, and fan experiences worldwide.
• A workplace that values diversity, inclusion, innovation, and high performance.

Reports to

ISU Director General

Contract Type

Permanent

Start date

• To be discussed
• Profile required

To succeed in this role, you will have

• Significant experience supporting senior executives, directors, or senior leadership teams.
• Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Experience preparing professional reports, presentations, and briefing materials.
• A high level of discretion and experience handling confidential information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools.
• The ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience within an international organisation, sports organisation, federation, or membership‑based environment would be an advantage.
• Additional language skills are considered an asset.
• Personal Attributes
• Highly professional with impeccable integrity and discretion.
• Proactive and resourceful, with the ability to anticipate needs and solve problems before they arise.
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Calm, composed, and resilient when working under pressure or managing changing priorities.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow‑through.
• Diplomatic and politically astute, with the ability to interact confidently with senior leaders and stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent relationship‑builder with a collaborative and service‑oriented mindset.
• Adaptable and flexible, comfortable working across multiple time zones and in a fast‑paced international environment.
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong communicator with the confidence to engage professionally with stakeholders at all levels.
• Able to work independently while also collaborating effectively across functions and teams.
• Committed to delivering high‑quality work and maintaining the highest professional standards.
• Company description

Why Join the ISU?

The International Skating Union (ISU) is the world governing body for Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating and Synchronized Skating.

Founded in 1892, the ISU is the oldest international winter sports federation and today works with more than 100 Member Federations across nearly 80 countries to grow and develop skating worldwide.

At the heart of the ISU is a bold ambition: to create a world where everyone can experience and enjoy the thrill of skating.

Through Vision 2030, the ISU is transforming the future of skating by becoming an athlete‑first, member‑focused and fan‑centric organisation, driving innovation, growth and global engagement across all disciplines.

What makes the ISU unique is the opportunity to combine the passion of sport with meaningful global impact.

As part of a close‑knit and collaborative team, you'll have the chance to contribute to the growth of a worldwide sport, work with stakeholders across continents and help shape the future of skating for generations to come.

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