Supporting the C-suite at a legacy energy titan is an exercise in extreme operational gatekeeping. ConocoPhillips is deploying an Executive Assistant to act as the primary firewall for their leadership team in Houston. In this administrative role, you are not simply maintaining a calendar; you are absorbing daily operational chaos so the executive branch can function. This mandate demands immense emotional intelligence, aggressive boundary-setting, and the ability to execute autonomous, high-stakes decisions under severe pressure without creating internal friction.
The Reality of Energy Corridor Culture
ConocoPhillips operates under a highly regimented corporate structure typical of Fortune 500 oil and gas conglomerates. Hierarchy and protocol matter deeply. Your primary objective is to fiercely protect your executive’s time, focus, and reputation. You will serve as their direct proxy to the Board of Directors and external VIPs, dictating that your communication style must be flawless and your discretion absolute when handling sensitive corporate maneuvering.
Core Deliverables & Executive Support
- Calendar Triage & Gatekeeping: Command complex, constantly shifting executive schedules. You must enforce firm time boundaries, routinely saying “no” to powerful VPs and directors with enough diplomatic tact to block access without making internal enemies.
- Global Travel Logistics: Coordinate seamless domestic and international itineraries. Real-time contingency planning is mandatory; when a private jet is grounded or an international visa falls through at 3 AM, you are the singular point of contact executing the fix.
- MNPI & Confidentiality: Draft and filter highly sensitive internal communications. You will handle Material Non-Public Information (MNPI), where a single leaked document or unlocked terminal can trigger an SEC investigation. Discretion is non-negotiable.
- Financial Reconciliation: Execute monthly corporate expense reporting via SAP Concur, reconciling complex international billing, travel outlays, and vendor payments.
- Board & Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as the flawless primary point of contact for the Board of Directors utilizing enterprise board portal software (e.g., Diligent, BoardVantage).
The Non-Negotiable Cut-Off
- C-Suite Battlefield Experience: 7+ years of progressive administrative experience, with at least 3 years directly supporting C-level executives. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will strictly filter out mid-level or small-office backgrounds; you must have already survived a Fortune 500 pressure cooker.
- Enterprise Software Fluency: Advanced, demonstrable proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, SAP Concur, and specialized board portal platforms.
- Logistical Acumen: A verifiable track record of managing multi-leg, global travel disruptions and coordinating large-scale executive offsites under tight deadlines.
- Discretion & Polish: Unimpeachable written and verbal communication skills, paired with a documented history of operating under strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Compensation & The Amenities Trap
The salary is highly competitive for the Houston market, but it directly compensates for the expectation of total, off-hours dedication.
- Base Compensation: $85,000 – $105,000 USD / Year.
- The Campus Reality: Access to premium on-site dining, a private fitness center, and wellness clinics. Understand the corporate utility of these top-tier amenities: they are strategically designed to keep you comfortably on-site during extended work hours.
- Executive Trajectory: Structured, documented pathways to elevate from this seat into Senior Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff roles.
- Institutional Safety Net: Top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage, aggressive 401(k) matching with immediate vesting, and performance-based annual bonuses.
Campus Logistics & Hiring Process
- The 100% On-Site Mandate
- Location: Houston, TX. Status: 100% On-Site. Managing the physical flow of VIPs and handling classified MNPI documentation requires absolute, daily physical presence at the headquarters. There is zero hybrid or remote flexibility.
- Relocation Posture
- Zero relocation assistance. The hiring apparatus is strictly prioritizing local operators who already reside in and understand the Greater Houston area commute.
Green Flags
- Advantage: Unmatched Resume Equity: Serving as the operational proxy for a C-level executive at a Fortune 500 energy titan instantly validates your authority for any future administrative role globally.
- Advantage: Chief of Staff Pathway: The role offers legitimate, structured career progression into highly lucrative Chief of Staff positions, rather than hitting an administrative ceiling.
- Advantage: Premium Houston Compensation: A base of up to $105k paired with immediate 401(k) vesting and annual bonuses provides elite financial stability in the Texas market.
Red Flags
- Warning Sign: The “Always-On” Reality: Managing global travel and executive crises means you are expected to monitor communications and fix logistical disasters during off-hours and weekends.
- Warning Sign: Severe Institutional Pressure: You are handling MNPI and acting as a gatekeeper against powerful internal figures; the margin for error in communication or confidentiality is absolute zero.
- Warning Sign: Rigid On-Site Mandate: This role offers no remote flexibility, locking you into a daily Houston commute and demanding physical presence to utilize those campus amenities.
