Executive Assistant
Post Introduction
Position Description
We Include. You Belong.
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
The Church Commissioners for England is an innovative, leading UK asset owner, responsible for managing the Church of England’s £10bn+ endowment fund and with an exceptional position at the forefront of responsible investment.
The fund is exceptionally diverse with major allocations to traditional and non-traditional assets – equities, real estate, credit, and a wide range of alternatives, including private equity and venture, timber, absolute return funds and others. The fund also deploys innovative and value adding tactical asset allocation (TAA) strategies to manage risk and enhance returns.
The Investment Division is responsible for all aspects of managing, stewarding, and supporting the fund, mixing both internal and external asset management models. The internal management includes the TAA derivatives-based strategies, some equity strategies and most of the highly diverse real estate portfolio. As such, the Investment Team provides an exceptional learning environment with a flat structure and culture that provides excellent opportunities for exposure to all investments, operational and leadership teams.
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
Main Responsibilities
Executive Support
- Provide full executive support to the CIO and other Senior Leaders with day-to-day management of complex electronic diaries, inboxes, enquiries, and post.
- Deal sensitively and intelligently with enquiries, acting as an interface between the CIO and other departments and external organisations.
Travel and Meeting Coordination
- Co-ordinate and manage all travel arrangements for the CIO and other Senior Leaders.
- Co-ordinate and manage arrangements for all Board/Committee meetings and events, including logistics and minute-taking.
Planning and Preparation
- Forward planning to ensure the CIO is briefed on forthcoming deadlines and events.
- Collate presentations, research, and communication documents as required.
Project and Resource Management
- Support various projects for the CIO by assisting with planning, coordination, and execution.
- Manage the maintenance and optimisation of departmental resources and documents.
Expense and Purchase Management
- Record and process the CIO’s and some Senior Leaders' expenses and make certain purchases on their behalf (e.g., equipment, visas).
Communication and Liaison
- Handle enquiries sensitively and with intelligence, redirecting them to appropriate team members as needed.
- Act as a liaison between the CIO and other departments, as well as external organisations, including senior contacts.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
- Extensive EA/Senior PA Experience: Supporting multiple senior managers simultaneously.
- Diary Management: Managing online diaries for senior individuals.
- Administrative and Organisational Skills: High-level ability, including document management and proficiency with the full Microsoft suite.
- System Development: Ability to devise and maintain systems for tracking multiple workstreams.
- Communications and Policy Work: Experience in research, drafting, and presentation.
- Briefing and Document Drafting: Drafting clear, accurate, and sensitive briefing materials and documents to tight deadlines.
- Minute Taking and Correspondence: Experience in minute taking and drafting correspondence.
- Effective Communication: Proven ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
- Interpersonal Skills: Excellent skills in establishing positive working relationships with senior stakeholders and representing the Investments division to external partners.
- Administrative and Organisational Skills: High-level ability, including document management and IT skills.
- Adaptability and Pressure Management: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Problem Solving and Analytical Skills: Proven skills in problem solving and analysis.
- Effective Planning: Evidence of planning own work effectively.
- Sensitivity and Judgement: Demonstrated sensitivity and good judgement in handling urgent and complex matters.
- Quick Learning: Ability to master and develop new concepts quickly.
- Project Management and Stakeholder Relationships: Experience in project management and managing stakeholder relationships.
- Educated to an A-Level standard or equivalent.
Personal Attributes
- Dynamic, self-motivated, solution finder.
- Flexible team player with a service mentality.
- Some tasks may occasionally involve working out of normal office hours to meet deadlines and urgent matters.
Attached documents
Overview
