2026 career guide
How to become a Assistant de direction in 2026
The concrete path to the Assistant de direction job, whether you're coming out of studies or planning a career change.
Starting salary
28-34 k€
Typical training
2 ans
Remote work
35% of jobs
Market
➖ Stable
What exactly does a Assistant de direction do?
L'assistant de direction épaule un ou plusieurs dirigeants au quotidien : agenda, déplacements, dossiers, coordination. C'est un rôle de confiance où l'anticipation et la discrétion font toute la différence.
What you really need to understand: Le métier est souvent sous-estimé : un excellent assistant de direction ne « range » pas un agenda, il protège le temps et l'attention d'un dirigeant. La maîtrise de l'anglais et la capacité à gérer plusieurs priorités contradictoires sont les vrais leviers de salaire.
The path, step by step
Step 1: Initial training
Here are the training paths that open the most doors to becoming a Assistant de direction in France, ranked by market recognition:
- ★★★★★
BTS Support à l'Action Managériale (SAM)
2 ans · Degree
La formation de référence du métier
- ★★★★★
BUT Gestion administrative et commerciale (GACO)
3 ans · Degree
- ★★★★★
Licence professionnelle assistanat de direction
1 an (après bac+2) · Degree
- ★★★★★
École de commerce (pour les grands groupes)
5 ans · Degree
- ★★★★★
Reconversion via formation certifiante
6-12 mois · Certification
Step 2: The skills to build
A degree opens the door; demonstrated skills are what get you through. Here is what a recruiter expects from a junior Assistant de direction:
Technical
- • Gestion d'agenda complexe
- • Organisation d'événements
- • Rédaction professionnelle
- • Suivi budgétaire léger
Tools
- • Outlook / Google Workspace
- • PowerPoint
- • Excel
- • Outils de visioconférence
Soft skills
- • Discrétion absolue
- • Anticipation
- • Sang-froid
- • Polyvalence
Step 3: Landing your first job
The employers hiring the most Assistant de directions in France:
- Grands groupes et sièges sociaux
- PME et ETI
- Cabinets (avocats, conseil, audit)
- Institutions et collectivités
- Startups (office management)
The job titles to search for (sometimes different from the official title): Assistant de direction · Assistante de direction · Executive Assistant · Assistant·e de direction.
Step 4: Growing in the role
A Assistant de direction career isn't a straight line — here are the salary brackets and typical progressions:
Junior (0-2 years)
Assistant de direction junior · Assistant administratif
28-34 k€
Mid-level (2-5 years)
Assistant de direction · Office Manager
34-45 k€
Senior (5-8 years)
Executive Assistant · Assistant de direction bilingue
45-58 k€
After a few years as a Assistant de direction, the most common next steps are: Office Manager, Executive Assistant, Responsable des services généraux.
Switching careers to become a Assistant de direction
Career change into this job is common. The profiles who transition most successfully usually come from:
- Office Manager — extension vers la gestion des services généraux
- Chef de projet — valorisation des compétences de coordination
- Chargé de communication ou RH — bascule vers une fonction support
The advice that makes the difference: in a career-change resume, lead with transferable skills rather than hiding your previous path. Recruiters value unusual profiles when the bridge between the two worlds is clear.
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