OPEN | Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO | On-site in Houston, TX
Full-time Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO position with King Ranch in Houston, Texas
QUICK FACTS:
Company: King Ranch
Location: Houston, Texas (Galleria Area)
Employment Type: Full-time, on-site
Salary: $115,000–$145,000 based on experience
Travel: Occasional on a privately owned aircraft
Reports to: CEO
King Ranch is seeking an exceptional and emotionally astute Senior Executive Assistant to serve as the trusted administrative and strategic partner to CEO Robert Hodgen.
This is not a traditional task-based assistant position. Robert needs a true thought partner who can absorb information from multiple conversations, connect the dots, anticipate what is coming, and recognize potential problems before they reach him.
The right person will look across the CEO’s calendar, travel, commitments, and priorities to identify conflicts, test assumptions, work through possible solutions, ask incisive clarifying questions, and confidently recommend a better path when one exists.
The workload is substantial, the details matter, and priorities will shift. Success requires extraordinary cognitive ability, equally strong emotional intelligence, disciplined boundaries, impeccable follow-through, and the confidence to protect the responsibilities that matter most.
ABOUT THE CEO:
Robert is a thinker, strategist, futurist, and passionate business leader. He moves quickly, manages numerous priorities simultaneously, and operates with tremendous drive, determination, and curiosity.
He is direct, confident, factual, decisive, and highly results-oriented. He communicates in person, by email, and by text, particularly while traveling or working through evolving priorities.
He does not need someone who simply follows instructions. He needs someone who understands what he is ultimately trying to accomplish and can determine how to get him there.
He welcomes thoughtful questions, informed pushback, and better solutions. He is accessible when clarification is needed and values people who tell him what he needs to hear, not simply what they think he wants to hear.
The right person will help Robert stay focused, prepared, and several steps ahead while serving as a calm, discerning filter between him and the many demands surrounding his role.
ABOUT KING RANCH:
Founded in 1853, King Ranch is one of the most iconic privately held, family-owned companies in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, King Ranch operates complex businesses across agriculture, ranching, natural resources, real estate, energy, retail, and branded consumer products. Its Running W® brand represents a legacy built over eight generations of family ownership.
Today, King Ranch balances that legacy with continued growth, innovation, conservation, environmental stewardship, and long-term profitability. The organization is professionally managed with governance from a Board of Directors composed of both family members and independent business leaders.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
CALENDAR, COMMUNICATIONS, AND EXECUTIVE EXECUTION
Own Robert’s calendar as an integrated operating system, not simply a collection of meetings
Review his schedule, travel, priorities, and commitments in advance to identify conflicts, missing information, unrealistic timing, and developing problems
Protect Robert’s focus, energy, and preparation time while balancing urgent business, Board, and family shareholder priorities
Capture decisions, commitments, and follow-up items accurately and ensure nothing disappears between conversations
Present informed recommendations and solutions rather than handing problems back to the CEO
Manage correspondence, calls, materials, records, and sensitive information with exceptional discretion
Communicate confidently and professionally with executives, employees, Board members, family shareholders, business partners, vendors, and external stakeholders
BOARD AND FAMILY SHAREHOLDER SUPPORT
Coordinate Board meetings, committee meetings, stockholder forums, annual meetings, and other governance-related gatherings
Manage scheduling, travel logistics, meeting locations, agendas, materials, pre-meeting communication, and post-meeting follow-up
Maintain family shareholder records, contact information, distribution lists, and the family website
Handle highly confidential governance and shareholder information with impeccable judgment
COMPLEX TRAVEL AND PRIVATE AVATION
Plan and coordinate highly complex, multi-stop domestic and international travel involving commercial airlines, private aviation, charters, jet-card providers, FBOs, pilots, ground transportation, hotels, restaurants, remote destinations, and other logistical requirements
Evaluate routes, timing, logistics, purpose, flow, and contingencies rather than booking each segment in isolation
Develop and compare multiple travel scenarios, identify the most practical option, and bring Robert thoughtful recommendations
Build detailed, accurate, and easy-to-follow itineraries that reflect every confirmed detail
Manage frequent changes calmly, accurately, and without losing sight of the overall objective
MEETINGS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
Ensure Robert enters important meetings prepared, informed, and clear on the intended outcome
Develop agendas, compile background materials, confirm logistics, and identify unresolved questions in advance
Maintain awareness of what is happening across the organization and with key staff members and elevate what the CEO needs to know
Build strong working relationships across King Ranch while maintaining clear boundaries around the role’s primary responsibilities
When necessary, attend off-site meetings to manage logistics
WHO WILL SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE:
Someone with exceptional intellectual horsepower, emotional intelligence, common sense, memory, judgment, and discernment
Someone with experience in Board and shareholder support, private aviation, complex executive travel, and family-owned or privately held companies
A proactive problem-solver who can take a desired outcome and independently work 80% to 90% of the way toward the right solution
An unusually strong critical thinker who can connect information across multiple conversations, see patterns, test assumptions, and understand second- and third-order consequences
A confident communicator who asks smart questions and respectfully challenges assumptions
Someone who can manage significant volume while maintaining accuracy, composure, and clear boundaries
Candidates with experience in agriculture, ranching, natural resources, or manufacturing will receive priority consideration
WHO WILL NOT SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE:
A candidate who requires perfectly packaged instructions or repeated step-by-step direction
A task-taker who does not naturally connect information or anticipate consequences
Someone who is uncomfortable questioning, challenging, or redirecting a CEO
A chronic people-pleaser who allows requests from others to dilute the role’s priorities
Anyone who becomes flustered, defensive, or careless when plans change
A ‘prover’ who confuses being busy with delivering accurate, thoughtful work
A person who requires frequent praise, reassurance, or recognition to remain engaged
Someone who is uncomfortable with ranch life and the culture, language, industries, or traditions surrounding King Ranch
COMPENSATION, REQUIREMENTS & LOGISTICS
8 to 10 years of progressive experience as a senior Executive Assistant, including at least five years directly supporting a CEO or C-suite executive
Experience supporting a Board of Directors and family or corporate shareholders
Extensive experience coordinating private aviation and highly complex, multi-destination executive travel
Ability to work on-site Monday through Friday. After learning the role, remote work may be permitted when Robert is traveling
Well-versed in the Microsoft Office Suite with the ability to learn new software applications
Salary range: $115,000 to $145,000 + health, dental, and vision benefits + flexible spending account
401(k) retirement plan
Three weeks of paid vacation + paid company holidays
Professional development opportunities
Occasional responsiveness outside traditional business hours may be required based on CEO travel, Board priorities, or time-sensitive business needs
Final candidates will complete cognitive and personality assessments as part of the selection process.
This is a rare opportunity for an elite professional who wants to operate at the highest level beside a passionate CEO and within one of America’s most respected family-owned companies.
Please do not apply unless your experience clearly reflects the judgment, executive support background, travel expertise, and cognitive capabilities outlined above.
Looking for other executive assistant opportunities?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE
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NO. This is an on-site/in-office position in Houston, TX. There will be some flexibility as trust grows.
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Robert is a thinker, strategist, futurist, and passionate business leader. He moves quickly, manages numerous priorities simultaneously, and operates with tremendous drive, determination, and curiosity.
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King Ranch may consider paying relocation expenses for the right candidate.
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Once you’ve applied, you can expect a confirmation email that your application has been received. If your application is selected, you will receive an email from Monique Helstrom to schedule your first interview.
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Every candidate is personally reviewed by me, Monique Helstrom, former Executive Assistant to Simon Sinek and an executive recruiter specializing in high-trust executive partnerships.
My goal isn’t simply to place candidates. It’s to create partnerships that thrive.
If your application isn’t accepted for this role, don’t take it personally! This role may just not have been the one for you. Feel free to browse other open roles or schedule a resume review with me.
APPLICATION TIP FROM MONIQUE
If I were coaching someone for this interview, I’d tell them…
Come prepared with specific examples that show you can keep a fast-moving executive organized, catch what others miss, ask smart clarifying questions, and follow through without needing to be managed.
P.S. Want more interview tips? Schedule a resume and interview coaching session with me. Or click here to learn more about what I do.