Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC

Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC

Temporary 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Occupop

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the Chief Investment Officer by managing their diary and communications effectively.
  • Company: Join a dynamic financial services firm that values innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 29 days of annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Work closely with senior stakeholders and enjoy a supportive workplace culture.
  • Why this job: Be at the heart of decision-making and gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience as an Executive Assistant with strong organisational and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and stakeholder-focused Executive Assistant to provide high-trust support to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO), enabling them to operate effectively across internal and external priorities. The role will be varied, with key activities expected to include:

  • Own and proactively manage the CIO's diary, communications flow and meeting rhythm to ensure priorities are protected, decisions are prepared, and time is used effectively.
  • Provide chief-of-staff-style organisational support: stakeholder coordination, preparation of board and committee papers/updates, and follow-up of actions to drive outcomes.
  • The role holder will report into the CIO and will work closely with the Investment Leadership Team, and wider stakeholders.
  • The role is expected to be office based 4 days per week to support a highly collaborative, in-the-moment working style.

What does our ideal candidate look like?

We’re looking for an experienced, confident and discreet Executive Assistant who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will be naturally relationship-oriented and comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders, building trust quickly and representing the CIO with warmth and professionalism. You will be highly organised, able to manage upwards, and excellent at reading situations, anticipating what is needed and preparing the CIO to be in the right place at the right time. A financial services background is preferred. There will be an initial onboarding period focused on getting to know the CIO's ways of working and key internal and external stakeholders, so you can independently run key processes (e.g., meeting cadence, governance papers, follow-ups) with minimal direction.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Own and actively manage the CIO's diary, ensuring the right meetings happen (and don't happen), with clear agendas, pre-reads, attendees and outcomes.
  • Proactively manage inbound communications (email, calls and correspondence), triaging, drafting responses where appropriate, and ensuring actions and messages are followed through.
  • Read and anticipate needs: identify risks/conflicts early, unblock issues, and ensure the CIO is consistently prepared and in the right place at the right time.
  • Coordinate, prepare, quality-check and finalise board and committee papers, updates, briefs and presentations, ensuring deadlines, version control and high standards are met.
  • Run key organisational processes on behalf of the CIO (tracking actions, decisions and commitments; maintaining simple logs; chasing inputs and closing loops).
  • Act as a trusted liaison between the CIO and senior internal/external stakeholders, ensuring timely communication, appropriate tone, and effective follow-up.
  • Manage end-to-end governance cycles for the CIO (e.g., Investment Committees): timelines, inputs, pack compilation, final review, submissions and post-meeting actions.
  • Proactively identify improvements to ways of working; manage upwards by proposing solutions, options and next steps, and driving agreed actions.
  • Partner with the CEO's EA/Office Manager on company-wide initiatives and key moments (e.g., events, all-hands, offsites), taking ownership where appropriate.
  • Provide cover and continuity for the CEO's EA/Office Manager (and broader team support) during annual leave and peak periods.

Key Skills and Experience:

Essential:

  • Proven experience as an Executive Assistant (supporting a senior executive), with strong judgement and a proactive, ownership mindset.
  • Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills; able to build and run an effective meeting cadence and keep multiple stakeholders aligned.
  • Proven experience of using Microsoft Office tools e.g. PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Microsoft Teams is essential.
  • Naturally confident and relationship-oriented; comfortable being visible, building rapport quickly, and engaging with senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including drafting succinct updates, briefs and stakeholder communications on behalf of the CIO.
  • High discretion and integrity; comfortable handling confidential and market-sensitive information and senior-level issues.
  • Calm under pressure and adaptable; anticipates needs, pivots quickly, and keeps the executive and wider group on track.
  • Able to work from the office 4 days per week to support close coordination, in-person stakeholder engagement and responsiveness.
  • Excellent written and spoken English, with strong attention to detail and quality control.

Desirable:

  • Financial services experience (asset management/investments a plus).
  • Exposure to governance processes (e.g., board/committee papers).

What we offer:

Our values sit at the heart of everything we do. To truly foster a collaborative and supportive workplace, we offer all employees a range of benefits, including:

  • From day one, you’ll have on-the-job learning opportunities across a range of asset classes and exposure to leading investment managers, with plenty of hands-on experience to support your development.
  • A company culture that champions innovation, continuous learning, and personal responsibility within a modern and flexible working environment.
  • A minimum of 29 days' annual leave per year, plus public holidays.
  • A generous pension scheme, enhanced family-friendly policies, and a variety of insurance and wellbeing benefits.

Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC employer: Occupop

At Occupop, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As an Executive Assistant in Greater London, you will benefit from extensive on-the-job learning opportunities, a generous annual leave policy, and a supportive environment that prioritises personal growth and well-being. Join us to work closely with senior stakeholders while enjoying a modern workplace that values your contributions and encourages continuous development.

Occupop

Contact Details:

Occupop Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections and let them know you're on the hunt for an Executive Assistant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and the CIO you'll be supporting. Show us that you understand their priorities and how you can help them shine. Tailor your responses to highlight your organisational skills and proactive mindset.

Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! As an Executive Assistant, you'll need to engage with senior stakeholders confidently. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to get comfortable with drafting updates and managing communications.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC

Organisational Skills
Stakeholder Management
Diary Management
Communication Skills
Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Microsoft Teams)
Confidentiality and Discretion
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Executive Assistant role. Highlight your experience in managing diaries, communications, and stakeholder relationships, as these are key to the position.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities and kept stakeholders aligned. We want to see that you can handle a fast-paced environment with ease!

Be Professional Yet Personable:When writing your cover letter, strike a balance between professionalism and warmth. Remember, you'll be representing the CIO, so we need to see that you can build rapport quickly with senior stakeholders.

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 this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Occupop

Know Your CIO

Before the interview, take some time to research the Chief Investment Officer's background and their recent projects. Understanding their priorities and style will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're proactive and ready to support them effectively.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex schedules or coordinated multiple stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to anticipate needs and resolve conflicts before they arise, as this is crucial for an Executive Assistant role.

Master the Tools

Familiarise yourself with Microsoft Office tools, especially PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. During the interview, mention any relevant experience you have with these tools, particularly in creating presentations or managing communications, as this will show you're ready to hit the ground running.

Demonstrate Discretion and Professionalism

Since you'll be handling sensitive information, it's important to convey your understanding of confidentiality. Share examples of situations where you've had to exercise discretion and maintain professionalism, especially when dealing with senior stakeholders.