Executive Assistant to the CEO & Human Resources Assistant

Job Title: Executive Assistant to the CEO & Human Resources Assistant

Department: Executive Leadership / Human Resources

Location: Remote – Chicago, IL

Employment Type: Full-Time

Exemption Status: Exempt

Company Overview Forkardt Hardinge is a leading provider of precision manufacturing solutions and tooling systems. We are committed to delivering high-quality products and exceptional service to customers around the world. Our team is driven by innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement as we support the manufacturing industry through operational excellence and customer-focused solutions.

Position Overview

The Executive Assistant to the CEO & Human Resources Assistant provides high-level administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer while also providing administrative support to the Human Resources department.

This position serves as a trusted partner to the CEO by managing executive priorities, coordinating complex schedules and travel, organizing Board and leadership meetings, preparing executive presentations and communications, and supporting key strategic initiatives. The role requires the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in managing confidential information, coordinating executive activities, resolving scheduling conflicts, and supporting business priorities.

Approximately 70% of the position focuses on executive support for the CEO, while 30% provides administrative support to Human Resources, including recruiting, onboarding, employee records, HR communications, and special projects.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities while maintaining the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

Primary Responsibilities – Executive Support (Approximately 70%)

Executive Administration

• Manage and prioritize the CEO’s complex calendar, appointments, meetings, and daily activities while exercising independent judgment to balance competing priorities.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel, including flights, hotels, transportation, itineraries, visas (when applicable), and expense reporting.
• Organize Board of Directors, executive leadership, and management meetings, including scheduling, agendas, meeting materials, meeting minutes, action items, and follow-up.
• Prepare professional PowerPoint presentations, reports, executive correspondence, spreadsheets, and other business communications.
• Screen, prioritize, and respond to communications on behalf of the CEO, exercising discretion in determining matters requiring executive attention.
• Draft correspondence, presentations, reports, and other documents for executive review.
• Maintain highly confidential executive files, reports, and business documents.
• Coordinate executive visits, customer meetings, leadership events, and special functions.
• Support strategic business initiatives, acquisitions, leadership projects, and other executive priorities.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and employees, customers, vendors, Board members, and other business partners.
• Exercise sound judgment in resolving scheduling conflicts, prioritizing requests, and managing sensitive business matters.

Executive Project Coordination

• Coordinate cross-functional projects involving Executive Leadership, Operations, Engineering, Finance, Sales, and Human Resources.
• Track project milestones, action items, and follow-up activities.
• Prepare executive dashboards, reports, and business metrics.
• Assist with presentations for Board meetings, leadership meetings, and company communications.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and administrative process improvements.

Secondary Responsibilities – Human Resources Support (Approximately 30%)

Human Resources Support

• Provide administrative support to the Human Resources department.
• Schedule interviews and communicate with candidates throughout the recruitment process.
• Prepare offer letters, onboarding documents, employment paperwork, and orientation materials.
• Assist with new hire onboarding and orientation activities.
• Maintain employee personnel files and HR documentation.
• Assist with HR reports, organizational charts, and employee communications.
• Coordinate employee recognition programs, engagement activities, and company events.
• Assist with benefits communi…