Executive Assistant

Role:
Executive Assistant
Company:
BIG Construction
Location:
Chicago, IL
Reports to:
CEO
Status
Exempt
Salary
$90,000 - $115,000
Date:
March 12, 2026

summary

BIG Construction is a construction management firm specializing in the interior built environment. Founded and led by millennials, we prioritize right-fit solutions over legacy processes and leverage a high-value network to deliver exceptional results. Guided by our core values—Drive, Trust, Ideas, and Build—we’re committed to building meaningful relationships by understanding and addressing the needs of all stakeholders. Our proven process—Ask, Listen & Learn. Align. Budget. Contract. Execute. Retain.—ensures every project is approached with curiosity, collaboration, and precision. At our core, our brand promise remains simple: We will ask. We will listen. We will learn. We will deliver.

key responsibilities

The Opportunity Ahead

BIG Construction is looking for an Executive Assistant to support our Founder & CEO, President, and Vice Presidents. This role supports how our leadership team operates day-to-day, helping keep priorities organized, meetings well prepared, and communication clear. The right person for this role has experience supporting senior leaders, understands how to manage multiple priorities, and knows how to work with discretion and good judgment. You should be comfortable taking ownership, thinking ahead, and handling a wide range of responsibilities. This role will work closely with the Office Manager to ensure smooth office operations and alignment with leadership priorities. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys staying organized, taking ownership, and helping leaders operate effectively. Over time, this role is expected to take on broader responsibility supporting leadership priorities, coordination, and follow-through across the organization

Who Thrives in This Role

This role is a strong fit for someone who is organized, reliable, and comfortable supporting senior leaders. You enjoy managing details, staying ahead of priorities, and being trusted to handle important work behind the scenes. You use good judgment, communicate clearly, and take ownership of your responsibilities. You’re comfortable working close to leadership discussions and helping turn priorities into action. You anticipate needs, think a step ahead, and bring solutions, not just completed tasks.

Where You'll Make Your Mark

Executive Support & Strategic Coordination

  • Coordinate priorities, information flow, and scheduling alignment across the C-Suite to ensure executives remain informed, prepared, and synchronized.
  • Proactively assess and prioritize requests, manage executive communications, and optimize leaders’ time to support strategic focus.
  • Manage complex executive calendars for the Founder & CEO, President, and Vice Presidents, including scheduling, conflict resolution, and alignment with business priorities.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, board members, and external partners on behalf of leadership.

Meetings, Communications & Decision Support

  • Coordinate logistics for executive meetings, leadership sessions, advisory board meetings, retreats, and company-wide events, including materials, room setup, catering, and access.
  • Assist with research, preparation of briefing documents, presentations, and compilation of information to support executive decision-making.
  • Draft and edit executive-level communications—including emails, letters of recommendation and announcements—ensuring clarity, professionalism, and alignment with leadership voice.
  • Manage sensitive information, confidential documents, and executive communications with discretion and sound judgment.

Travel, Expenses & Administrative Operations

  • Coordinate travel for executives, including itineraries, reservations, accommodations, and logistics.
  • Prepare and submit expense reports; collect and organize receipts; reconcile monthly credit card statements; and coordinate with Accounting for timely processing.
  • Review and process executive-related invoices, confirm accuracy, and liaise with internal departments as needed.
  • Support executive memberships, reservations, and event registrations, including restaurants, conferences, and external engagements.

Process Improvement & Office Support

  • Identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes, improve executive workflows, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
  • Provide backup coverage for the Office Manager as needed, including phones, mail, visitor reception, kitchen oversight, coordination of deliveries and catering and assistance with general office operations.

Leadership Enablement & Follow-Through

  • Support the CEO and President in tracking key priorities, decisions, and follow-ups discussed in leadership meetings, proactively identifying gaps or risks along the way.
  • Help ensure commitments and next steps are clearly documented and followed through across teams.
  • Prepare summaries, talking points, or synthesized materials to support leadership discussions and decisions.

What Building Success Looks Like

  • Executives feel organized, supported, and confident that priorities are being managed effectively.
  • Calendars, meetings, and communications are proactive, intentional, and aligned with business needs.
  • Leadership meetings and key moments are well-prepared, well-run, and productive.
  • Sensitive information is handled with complete discretion and sound judgment.
  • Administrative processes are streamlined, documented, and continuously improving.
  • The office operates smoothly when providing backup support.
  • The Executive Assistant is viewed as a trusted partner and extension of the leadership team.

qualifications & experience

The Tools You Bring

  • Proven experience supporting senior executives (CEO, President, or equivalent), ideally across multiple leaders.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams), including complex calendar management.
  • Experience coordinating executive travel and managing expense reporting.
  • Ability to prepare polished agendas, meeting materials, and executive-level presentations.
  • Strong file organization and comfort learning new tools quickly.
  • Comfort using AI tools as part of daily work to improve accuracy, efficiency, and organization, while maintaining confidentiality and exercising appropriate judgment.
  • Experience in construction, professional services, or fast-paced environments is a plus.

Core Competencies & Attributes

  • 3+ years of work experience with C-Level Executive Support
  • Exceptional judgment and discretion.
  • Strong executive presence and professionalism.
  • Ability to anticipate needs and think several steps ahead.
  • Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
  • Solutions-oriented and adaptable in a dynamic environment.
  • Clear, concise, and polished communication.
  • High attention to detail with strong follow-through.
  • Independent thinker who anticipates needs and brings thoughtful recommendations forward.

Compensation

Salary Range: $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Bonus Eligibility: Eligible for performance and company bonuses

Benefits: Full benefits package per company policy, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

The BIG Basics

This role is expected to consistently demonstrate BIG Construction’s core values:

  • Drive – Taking ownership and following through.
  • Trust – Handling sensitive matters with integrity and confidentiality.
  • Ideas – Improving processes and bringing thoughtful solutions forward.
  • Build – Creating structure, clarity, and strong working relationships.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

  • Onsite in the Chicago office
  • Hybrid collaboration across office, jobsites, and events
  • May experience varying noise levels and fast-paced environments
  • Ability to remain in a seated position for extended periods
  • Ability to move about the office to access equipment and supplies
  • Ability to set up and take down events
  • Occasional lifting of materials or event items (up to 15 lbs)

knowledge & skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills,as well as the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships.
  • Able to apply innovative and effective techniques to maximize personal performance.
  • Highly motivated and interested in challenging the status quo, isn’t afraid to ask questions and propose solutions.
  • Detail-oriented and organized.
  • Strong computer skills as well as a familiarity with the programs offered by Microsoft Office.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

physical demands

  • Ability to remain in a seated position for the majority of the day while in the home office (between 70% -100% of work time)operating a computer, phone, and other office equipment, i.e., a copier and computer printer (between 70% -100% of work time).
  • Ability to lift or move supplies, equipment,boxes, documents and materials weighing up to 40 lbs (occasionally heavier than 40 lbs) in the office suite or at worksites (i.e., vendor sites, client sites,etc.).
  • Must be able to communicate via phone, email,and in-person with colleagues and professional contacts (i.e., vendors, support service providers, etc.) for the majority of the day (between 70% -100% of work time).

Additional Eligibility Criteria

  • Regular communication with internal and external constituents is required, including occasionally
    outside of regular working hours.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction and/or company sponsorship.

Dollar Limit Approval Thresholds (for applicable roles)

  • Reference BIG Construction Employee Handbook

Working Conditions & Environment

  • May be required to work beyond office hours – some nights and weekends – as required by the needs
    of the department and this position as well as the needs of the organization.
  • Must be able to commute as required from office to job-site locations located within a 100-mile radius
    from office as required. Reference employee handbook regarding mileage reimbursement.

Benefits Include

  • Comprehensive Health Benefits
  • 401(k) Program with Employer Match
  • Personalized PTO

Disclaimer

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties above are not to be considered a complete list of duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Temporary modifications to provide reasonable accommodations do not waive any essential functions of the job requirements.