An assistant must also operate as an office manager. This requires you to take on specific roles that are necessary in order for the department to move forward. Poor management skills will impede productivity for everyone.
Skills:
Plans are essential for success, but the assistant must drive the plan forward by making sure the steps are executed.
The schedule and its details are typically the domain of the assistant. For example, you would make a list of people to attend a meeting, contact them, and book the location of the meeting.
The assistant must keep everything filed, organised, and accessible. This includes paperwork, schedules, travel, financial papers, etc.
You will be responsible for ordering supplies. This requires you to keep a careful inventory and order at the correct time.