Maximus Partners, LLC, a professional services firm specializing in CFO advisory and executive search, is hiring an Executive Assistant in the Greater Philadelphia area. The role demands serious organizational skills, executive-level support experience, and comfort operating in a fast-moving environment.
But salary details were not disclosed in the job posting. That leaves many qualified candidates wondering what the compensation actually looks like before they apply.
This post breaks down what Executive Assistants typically earn at firms like Maximus Partners, how compensation is structured, and what benefits and perks are standard in this space.
Estimated Salary Range for This Role
Based on comparable roles at professional services and consulting-adjacent firms in the Greater Philadelphia market, the estimated base salary for this Executive Assistant position ranges from $65,000 to $90,000 per year. Senior candidates with 8 or more years of experience could push toward the higher end.
The position requires at least five years of experience supporting senior executives. That experience level typically commands a salary above entry-level EA roles, which often start in the low $50,000 range.
Candidates with backgrounds specifically in consulting, finance, or executive search firms tend to earn more. Specialized industry experience carries a real premium in this hiring market.
How Location Affects Pay
Greater Philadelphia sits in a mid-to-high cost-of-living market. It is not as expensive as Manhattan or San Francisco, but compensation benchmarks here are still meaningfully above national averages for administrative roles.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants nationwide was approximately $67,000 as of recent data. Philadelphia-area roles typically run 10 to 15 percent above that national median.
That adjustment reflects both local demand and the premium placed on supporting C-suite and senior advisory professionals in competitive markets.
Compensation Structure at Professional Services Firms
Most boutique professional services firms like Maximus Partners structure compensation around a base salary plus an annual performance bonus. The bonus component often ranges from 5 to 15 percent of base pay, depending on individual and firm performance.
For an EA earning $75,000 base, that could mean an additional $3,750 to $11,250 in annual bonus pay. Some firms also offer discretionary year-end bonuses tied to business development outcomes or firm profitability.
Unlike large corporations with rigid pay bands, boutique firms often have more flexibility. Pay decisions at this scale tend to be more personalized and negotiable.
Does This Role Include Equity
Equity compensation is not standard for Executive Assistant roles at private professional services firms. Equity or profit-sharing arrangements are typically reserved for partners, senior advisors, or revenue-generating staff at firms like Maximus Partners.
That said, some small advisory firms do offer informal profit participation or discretionary bonuses that function similarly to equity upside. These are not guaranteed and are rarely formalized in offer letters at the EA level.
Candidates interested in equity-style compensation should ask directly during the negotiation phase. It is worth raising, even if the answer is no.
Benefits Typically Offered for This Type of Role
The job posting does not list specific benefits. However, professional services firms of this profile commonly offer a standard benefits package that includes the following:
- Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, often with the employer covering 70 to 100 percent of employee premiums
- Retirement savings: A 401(k) plan, sometimes with employer matching of 3 to 5 percent of salary
- Paid time off: Typically 15 to 20 days of PTO annually for experienced hires, plus federal holidays
- Professional development: Some firms offer reimbursement for courses, certifications, or software training
- Technology stipends: Occasional allowances for home office equipment or phone use, especially in hybrid arrangements
Benefits at boutique firms vary more than at large corporations. Candidates should request a full benefits summary before accepting any offer.
What the Role Actually Demands
Understanding pay means understanding the workload. This is not a light administrative role. The posting calls for someone handling complex calendar management, travel coordination, event planning, and expense management simultaneously.
The candidate also needs to support internal operations, maintain CRM systems, and contribute to business development efforts. That scope goes well beyond traditional EA work.
Roles with this level of operational responsibility at advisory firms often blur the line between EA and Chief of Staff. That expanded scope justifies pushing toward the higher end of the salary range during negotiations.
How This Compares to Industry Standards
Looking at comparable Executive Assistant roles in the Philadelphia area across platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed, the market data tells a consistent story.
Comparable salary benchmarks in Greater Philadelphia:
- Entry-level EA with 1 to 3 years of experience: $48,000 to $60,000
- Mid-level EA with 3 to 5 years of experience: $60,000 to $75,000
- Senior EA with 5 or more years supporting C-suite: $75,000 to $95,000
- EA at private equity or financial advisory firms: $85,000 to $110,000
The Maximus Partners role specifically targets candidates with five or more years of senior executive support, ideally in consulting or finance. That profile lands squarely in the senior EA tier.
Compensation at boutique advisory firms sometimes lags slightly behind large financial institutions. However, smaller firms often compensate with greater autonomy, direct leadership access, and faster career visibility.
Skills That Can Increase Your Earning Potential
Certain skills command higher pay in EA roles at firms like Maximus Partners. Knowing which ones to highlight can directly affect where your offer lands.
High-value skills for this role include:
- CRM platform proficiency, especially Salesforce or HubSpot
- Experience with expense management tools like Concur or Expensify
- Event planning at executive or client-facing levels
- Business development support, including pipeline tracking or proposal coordination
- Discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive financial or personnel information
Candidates who can demonstrate direct impact in previous EA roles, not just task completion, tend to negotiate stronger offers. Concrete examples of cost savings, scheduling efficiency, or operational improvements carry real weight.
Negotiation Tips for Executive Assistant Candidates
Since Maximus Partners did not publish a salary range, candidates hold some leverage in early conversations. Coming in with market data strengthens your position.
Research the Philadelphia EA market before your first call. Know your number and be ready to state it clearly. Vague answers like "I'm flexible" often result in lower offers.
Key points to negotiate beyond base salary:
- Annual bonus structure and payout timing
- Remote or hybrid work flexibility
- PTO days above the standard offer
- Professional development reimbursement
- Performance review timeline for a salary increase
Small firms often have more room to customize offers than their initial numbers suggest. Asking respectfully but directly is standard practice and expected at this level.
Is This Role Worth Pursuing
For experienced Executive Assistants with a background in consulting, finance, or professional services, this role at Maximus Partners offers strong professional alignment. The firm operates in CFO advisory and executive search, two areas where an EA builds meaningful industry exposure.
The compensation, while not publicly listed, appears competitive with Philadelphia market norms for this experience level. With the right background and negotiation approach, a total compensation package in the $75,000 to $90,000 range is a realistic target.
Candidates who match the profile and want to explore the opportunity further can apply directly through the official listing at RemoteOK.
