Executive administrative assistant to the cfo

Coherent is seeking a highly experienced Executive Administrative Assistant to serve as a proactive strategic partner and extension of the Chief Financial Officer. This role is responsible for creating the structure, preparation, and follow-through that allows the CFO to operate at their highest level across the Finance organization and the broader company.

The successful candidate will be exceptionally organized, diligent, and detail-oriented, with the ability to stay ten steps ahead, retain important context and nuance, and anticipate what is needed before it is requested. This individual will take ownership, act without prompting, and ensure that commitments, meetings, materials, and follow-up are handled completely and on time.

The role also carries significant program management responsibility, particularly for quarterly earnings preparation, CFO staff meetings, town halls, skip-level meetings, one-on-one meeting coordination, and other high-visibility Finance activities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate as a proactive strategic extension of the CFO by anticipating needs, identifying priorities, remembering important details and context, and taking action independently so the CFO does not need to ask for routine or follow-up work to be completed.
• Own the CFO’s forward-looking planning process, including maintaining an accurate view of upcoming priorities, deadlines, travel, decisions, meetings, and preparation requirements; proactively identify gaps and build the necessary time and structure into the calendar.
• Proactively organize and coordinate the CFO’s meeting agenda, including CFO staff meetings, Finance leadership meetings, town halls, skip-level meetings, one-on-one meetings, business reviews, and other recurring operating rhythms.
• Prepare the CFO for each engagement by coordinating agendas, pre-reads, briefing materials, presentations, talking points, participant lists, logistics, and follow-up; ensure the right people are included and the purpose of each meeting is clear.
• Lead the programmatic coordination of quarterly earnings preparation from planning through completion, including detailed workplans, milestones, deliverables, stakeholder meetings, review cycles, dry runs, approvals, issue tracking, and final readiness.
• Partner with FP&A, Accounting, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Legal, and other stakeholders to keep earnings activities and other executive deliverables aligned, accurate, and on schedule.
• Track decisions, commitments, and action items arising from CFO meetings and initiatives; follow up proactively with owners, close open loops, and provide the CFO with concise status updates and escalation points.
• Manage the CFO’s calendar, travel, correspondence, expenses, and day-to-day logistics with sound judgment, discretion, and an understanding of the business priorities behind each request.
• Support Board meetings, investor events, executive staff meetings, leadership offsites, town halls, and other high-priority engagements by coordinating timelines, materials, participants, technology, venues, and related logistics.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives led by the CFO, including project planning, research, analysis, stakeholder coordination, implementation support, and progress reporting.
• Serve as a trusted point of coordination between the CFO and senior leaders, Finance partners, external stakeholders, and executive offices; use judgment to manage access, information flow, and competing priorities.
• Handle sensitive financial, personnel, legal, and business information with exceptional confidentiality and professionalism.
• Continuously improve the systems, processes, and operating cadence of the CFO’s office so work is anticipated, well organized, and completed with minimal direction.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree Required.
• 10+ years of experience supporting senior executives in a complex, global organization.
• Prior experience supporting a CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, or senior Finance executive strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex, cross-functional programs, executive deliverables, meetings, or business processes.
• Proven ability to operate as a strategic partner and anticipate needs rather than work solely from instructions or a task list.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information and prepare materials for executive audiences.
• High degree of judgment, discretion, responsiveness, professionalism, and comfort working with confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, calendar management, virtual meeting, and collaboration tools.

Skills

• Experience supporting quarterly earnings, Board preparation, investor relations, town halls, or other public-company reporting and executive communication activities.
• Familiarity with Finance terminology, planning cycles, executive reporting, and corporate governance processes.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand how Finance activities connect to broader company priorities.
• A naturally proactive working style, with the ability to stay ten steps ahead, anticipate challenges, and take action without being prompted.
• Exceptional memory for details, nuance, commitments, and organizational dynamics.
• Calm, resourceful, highly collaborative, and confident interacting with executives, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.

Working Conditions

Onsite - Monday to Friday

Work hours 8am - 6pm

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.: Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust, Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas, Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome, Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone, Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work.

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.