Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC in London

Executive Assistant – 18 month FTC in London

London 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 in a supportive environment with excellent career growth potential.
  • Why this job: Be at the heart of decision-making and gain hands-on experience in asset management.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience as an Executive Assistant with strong organisational 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 in London employer: Occupop

At Bitrecruit, 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 encourages personal growth and development. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including a robust pension scheme and family-friendly policies, making us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Occupop

Contact Details:

Occupop Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

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

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 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. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and ensure you come across as warm and professional.

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 in London

Diary Management
Stakeholder Coordination
Board and Committee Paper Preparation
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Proactive Problem-Solving
Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams)

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!

Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are crucial for this role. Ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. This is your chance to demonstrate your attention to detail!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Occupop

Know the Role Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Executive Assistant role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the key duties mentioned in the job description, such as managing the CIO's diary and preparing board papers. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

During the interview, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to prioritise effectively and keep stakeholders aligned, as these are crucial skills for an Executive Assistant. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

Build Rapport with the Interviewers

Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, it's essential to showcase your relationship-building skills during the interview. Be warm, professional, and confident when interacting with the interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences and the company culture to create a connection and demonstrate your interest.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and judgement. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role, such as managing conflicting priorities or handling sensitive information. Prepare thoughtful responses that illustrate your proactive mindset and ability to anticipate needs, which are key traits for success in this position.