Executive Assistant

ROLE DEFINITION

The right-hand person to a Managing Director at a Michigan-based private equity firm — own the calendar, the travel, and the office, and become the person the whole team relies on to keep things running.

POSITION  Executive Assistant

REPORTS TO  Managing Director

LOCATION  Grand Rapids, MI (in-office)

COMPENSATION $65,000 – $70,000 base. Eligible for performance bonus and firm-wide carry pool participation.

ABOUT BLACKFORD CAPITAL

Blackford Capital is a Michigan-based private equity firm focused on control buyouts of lower middle market industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and business services companies. We partner with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams of high-quality, differentiated businesses to accelerate growth, drive operational improvement, and execute disciplined value-creation initiatives.

We target companies with revenue of $20 million to $200 million and EBITDA of approximately $2 million to $20 million. Our approach emphasizes hands-on operational engagement, strategic add-on acquisitions, and long-term partnership with management teams to build scalable platforms.

Learn more at

ABOUT THE ROLE

Blackford Capital is hiring an Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to a Managing Director and to keep the firm’s Grand Rapids office running smoothly day to day. The role owns calendar and travel management for the Managing Director, provides administrative support across the broader team, and serves as the central point of contact for office operations, vendors, and the building.

This role is dedicated to executive support — protecting the Managing Director’s time, managing a busy and shifting calendar, coordinating professional and personal scheduling, triaging email, arranging travel, and following tasks through to completion. The role works closely with every department at Blackford and is often the first call when something needs to get done.

The right person is highly organized, discreet, and genuinely enjoys being the person who makes everything run. You are comfortable handling confidential information, anticipating needs before you are asked, and switching smoothly between executive support and hands-on office work. Blackford is a small, collegial firm, so this role carries real visibility and real ownership — you will work directly with senior leadership and have a tangible impact on how the office operates every day.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Executive support to the Managing Director

• Own and manage the Managing Director’s calendar, scheduling and coordinating all meetings and calls — both professional and personal — and proactively resolving conflicts as priorities shift.

• Manage the Managing Director’s daily email — triaging the inbox, flagging priorities, drafting routine correspondence, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

• Arrange detailed travel and accommodations for the Managing Director, including flights, lodging, ground transportation, and itineraries, adjusting quickly when plans change.

• Coordinate and track tasks, follow-ups, and deadlines on the Managing Director’s behalf, anticipating needs and preparing materials ahead of meetings.

• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, and act as a liaison between the Managing Director and internal teams, investors, and external executives.

Firm-wide administrative support

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the other Managing Directors and the broader team, including answering and directing incoming calls and scheduling meetings.

• Arrange travel and accommodations for team members and visiting guests, coordinating itineraries and logistics from start to finish.

• Serve as back-up to the Investor Relations Assistant and reception, covering front-desk and guest-facing responsibilities during absences.

Office management

• Maintain office supplies and inventory, working with vendors to ensure adequate stock and a well-functioning workplace.

• Support ad-hoc administrative needs across all departments — including reports, SOPs, and document management — as priorities arise.

Events & facilities coordination

• Organize and coordinate internal Blackford events, and assist with Blackford and Portfolio Company events involving Limited Partners.

• Coordinate in-house meetings end to end, including room setup, refreshments, and any materials or preparation needed.

• Manage building service contracts, including parking and cleaning, and serve as the firm’s point of contact for the building.

• Coordinate maintenance and vendor work across the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors, and act as the contact for 4th- and 5th-floor tenants.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Required

• 2 to 5 years of administrative or executive support experience, ideally including direct support of senior executives.

• High school diploma required; an Associate’s degree in business administration or a related field is preferred.

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn new tools quickly.

• Extensive knowledge of office administration, calendar and travel management, clerical procedures, and recordkeeping systems.

• Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and keeping multiple workstreams organized and on track.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience interacting professionally with executives and external contacts.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with proven ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Prior experience supporting executives in professional services, financial services, or a similar fast-paced environment.

• Experience coordinating events, vendors, or facilities, or managing an office in a small to mid-sized organization.

• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information with discretion.

• Based in or with ties to Grand Rapids, MI.

WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED

• Ownership mentality — you take responsibility for the details and follow through without being asked twice.

• Comfort switching between focused executive support and hands-on office work throughout the day.

• Strong attention to detail and a low tolerance for things slipping through the cracks.

• Clear, professional, and warm communication style with people at every level.

• Curiosity and a willingness to learn new tools, systems, and ways of working.

• Professional maturity and sound judgment, especially when handling confidential matters.

• Excellent organization and the ability to juggle multiple priorities calmly.

• A dependable, proactive work ethic and a genuine sense of pride in keeping things running.

• Interest in growing with the role and building a lasting place on the team.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Blackford Capital offers a competitive compensation package designed to reward performance and align incentives across the team:

•  Base salary of $65,000 to $70,000.

•  Performance-based bonus eligibility.

•  Participation in the firm-wide carry pool — every Blackford employee participates in long-term incentive opportunities tied to firm and fund performance.

• 401(k) with employer match.

•  Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage (90% employer paid).

•  Generous paid time off and paid holidays.

•  Paid parking.

•  Professional development support and growth opportunities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Blackford Capital is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable laws.

Blackford Capital · 190 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 600 · Grand Rapids, MI 49503 ·