Pavers, our family-owned-and-run footwear retail business, is expanding rapidly and we are looking for an experienced and dedicated Executive Assistant to support our Group Managing Director at our Head Office in York.
Jason, our Group MD, is in his late-30s and very ambitious. He is looking for a discrete, diligent, and thoughtful Executive Assistant who he can build a strong, intuitive partnership with and who will support him, and the business, for many years to come.
To succeed in the role you must be a warm, outgoing individual with high EQ who naturally builds close relationships with others. You will need to be highly organised and skilled at taking actions in fast-paced meetings and be comfortable ensuring pre-work is completed and subsequent actions are progressed. Experience using automated tools to facilitate this would be a plus. You will ideally be interested in researching and booking personal and professional events and travel in a wide variety of cities (particularly York and London). There is a good chance you like lists and are excellent at prioritising! Clearly there will be a requirement to provide administrative support, manage diaries and appointments, and occasionally organise business events too.
This is a full-time opportunity (part time over 5 days considered), which, due to the nature of the role, may occasionally require out of hours work and/or working pattern flexibility to meet the requirements of the business. Work-from-home is offered 1 day per week.
You will need to be self-starter who is pro-active in ensuring projects continue to move forward and problems are solved in Jason’s absence. You must be happy in a fast-paced, rapidly changing retail environment. Over time the role could broaden or specialise, depending on your skillset and ambition. The ability to empathise, build relationships, and be considerate of others internally and externally is key. A job well done will be ensuring the Managing Director is able to maximise their efficiency (both inside and outside work) and that the business makes progress on our key strategic objectives.
As the Executive Assistant you will:
1. Coordinate and support delivery of the company strategy on a quarterly basis, overseeing data collation, querying incomplete submissions, and ensuring sensible prioritisation in line with the goals of the senior leadership team
2. Manage the central calendar used to coordinate the senior leadership team and highlight high priority upcoming tasks / events
3. Support and arrange quarterly strategic off-site meetings
4. Provide a friendly interface to colleagues throughout the business
5. Coordinate and prepare relevant materials for key meetings, including agendas, pre-reading and updating actions, including monthly board meetings.
6. Act to support aims and objectives, proactively anticipating issues and acting on their behalf as required. Using initiative and responding to/directing queries as appropriate
7. Support the MD in personal tasks including booking travel, tickets, entertainment and personal hobbies
8. Highlight issues that need immediate attention, respond to requests, consult and advise as well as delegating as appropriate
9. Work collaboratively, compassionately, and empathetically to establish and maintain good working relationships with the senior leadership team and across the wider business
10. Support senior level meetings as required, occasionally attending meetings and acting on behalf of the MD
11. Support other members of senior management with diary management
12. Act as a primary point of contact
13. Full responsibility of diary and travel management to make the most efficient use of the MD’s time
Requirements to be our Executive Assistant
14. Previous Personal or Executive Assistant experience required at board or director level
15. Very high levels of organisation, speed of execution, disciplined prioritisation, and excellent IT skills
16. Ability to work to very tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands, whilst maintaining a positive and friendly outlook
17. Willingness and eagerness to undertake any task – however big or small, and confidence to deliver
18. Able to demonstrate resilience, patience, professionalism, and pragmatism
19. Be cost-conscious and never spend money unnecessarily e.g. through use of avios or Membership Reward points, and have a good sense of monetary value
20. Good working knowledge of hospitality options in York and London
21. A professional, humble and trustworthy individual who can work with and manage confidential information discretely and maintain confidentiality in all scenarios
Pay & Benefits for our PA/Executive Assistant:
Salary: Competitive depending on experience;
22. Discretionary annual bonus
23. Generous Staff Discount
24. Free onsite parking
25. Holiday Entitlement (Increases with service)
26. Company Contribution Pension
27. Free access to RetailHUB (Wellbeing & Financial Support)
28. Access to Pavers Foundation: employee-led grant application and charitable giving scheme