At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the founder in managing schedules, travel, and communications across global studios.
- Company: Join a renowned architectural practice with a focus on innovation and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy private health insurance, flexible hours, and generous parental leave.
- Other info: Collaborate with a dynamic team and gain exposure to international operations.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of creative decision-making and help shape exciting projects.
- Qualifications: 4+ years as a personal or executive assistant in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Personal Assistant to support our practice founder, David Chipperfield, in his innovative work across our studios in London, Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela. An essential aspect of the role is helping to establish and maintain a clear set of daily priorities. You will play a key part in ensuring that time, information and commitments are organized in a way that supports a manageable workload and allows space for focused decision-making and creative work. This includes managing correspondences, complex schedules and travel arrangements, preparing information in a concise and accessible form, and supporting the flow of communication around David’s responsibilities. The role also includes collaborating with David’s wife, Evelyn Stern, assisting with diary management, invitations and personal commitments. Accuracy, careful judgement, strong organisational skills and an ability to handle a wide range of matters with consistency and professionalism is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- International Coordination: Schedule meetings across time zones, sourcing relevant context and background information from our various offices. Manage the diary around key events. Plan ahead strategically, mapping meeting schedules and travel requirements up to six months in advance.
- Travel Management and Logistics: Coordinate complex international travel including flights, accommodation, and ground transportation. Research optimal routes and costs, working with travel agents to secure the best arrangements. Handle visa applications, travel documentation, and real-time travel support when plans change.
- Collaborative Support: Work closely with the group leadership and key personnel across our global offices to maintain seamless operations. Handle various bookings, event coordination, and social calendar management. Track industry invitations and social commitments, managing RSVPs and attendance. Support occasional personal and family requirements as needed.
Reporting Line: This role reports directly to David Chipperfield on a day‑to‑day basis, with active collaboration with the Director of Operations for DC Studio Limited and Head of Group Communications for Group DC.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise: 4+ years of personal or executive assistant experience, ideally in creative, consulting, or other fast-paced professional environments. You’re highly organized, agile, comfortable with complexity, and enjoy coordinating across different cultures and time zones. You work well independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships.
We offer a variety of employee benefits including private health insurance, cycle to work scheme, a cash health plan, employer contribution pension, employee assistance plan, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, visa assistance for candidates who need to relocate to London. Our core hours policy allows flexibility in your daily start and end times.
Personal Assistant to Founder London employer: Image Simon Menges
Contact Detail:
Image Simon Menges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant to Founder London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the role. Understand their values and how you can contribute. Practise common interview questions and think about how your skills align with what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant to Founder London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Personal Assistant. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description, like managing complex schedules and coordinating international travel.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role is all about keeping things organised, give us examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past. We love seeing real-life scenarios where your strong organisational skills made a difference!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff. This will help us quickly see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Image Simon Menges
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant to the Founder. Familiarise yourself with David Chipperfield's work and the studios he operates in. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and how your skills align with the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex schedules or coordinated international travel in the past. Highlight your ability to prioritise tasks and maintain clear communication, as these are crucial for supporting someone like David effectively.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Agility
Since the role involves working across different cultures and time zones, share experiences that showcase your adaptability and understanding of diverse environments. This could be previous roles or even personal experiences that highlight your ability to navigate complexity with ease.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and expectations for the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you. Consider asking about how they handle challenges in scheduling or travel logistics.