Executive Assistant to Head of Europe in London

hackajob is collaborating with Vanguard to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

Provides administrative support to a member of Senior Staff with limited direction and executing significant discretion and judgement.

We are looking for an exceptional, highly trusted executive assistant to support the Head of our European business. This role sits within the European Executive Office, a dynamic team designed to multiply the effectiveness of the Head of Europe and European Leadership Team. You will act as the architect of the Head of Europe’s time, ensuring it is focused on the highest-value strategic priorities.

Operating in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, you will bring judgement, foresight and structure to a complex agenda, enabling the Head of Europe to lead with clarity, focus and impact.

• Architect and protect executive time
• Manage access to the Head of Europe within agreed priorities and systems
• Actively manage competing demands, making sound trade-offs and escalating when needed
• Use modern tools, including AI-assisted workflows, to optimise scheduling, prioritisation and time allocation
• Ensure the Head of Europe is consistently prepared, focused and positioned for impact

• Stay ahead of shifting priorities and anticipate needs before they arise
• Bring structure and discipline to a complex, fast-moving agenda
• Use AI and automation to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort and increase responsiveness
• Proactively remove logistical and operational barriers to maintain pace and focus

• Act as a trusted interface to senior leaders, Board members, clients, regulators and external partners
• Represent the Head of Europe and Executive Office with credibility, professionalism and discretion
• Build strong, trusted relationships internally and externally

• Deliver flawless end-to-end execution of engagements, including complex international travel
• Use AI tools to support preparation of briefings, materials and correspondence, ensuring quality and consistency
• Ensure clear, timely flow of information into and out of the Executive Office office
• Apply judgement to synthesise information and highlight what matters most

• Partner closely with the Chief of Staff and broader Executive Office team
• Contribute to leadership team rhythms and key forums
• Actively identify opportunities to modernise ways of working, including embedding AI and digital tools into executive support

• Significant experience supporting executives in complex, global organisations
• Exceptional judgement and discretion, with the ability to operate independently as a trusted partner
• Outstanding prioritisation skills, able to cut through complexity and focus on what matters most
• Highly proactive, anticipates needs and resolves issues before they arise
• Digitally fluent, using AI and automation to improve efficiency, insight and impact
• Strong attention to detail combined with a composed, solutions‑oriented approach under pressure
• Confident operating with senior stakeholders and navigating sensitive situations
• Commercial awareness and strong business judgement

• Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
• This position is hybrid and would require you to be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

About Vanguard: We are Vanguard. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests. For us, investing doesn’t just end in value. It starts with values. Because when you invest with courage, when you invest with clarity, and when you invest with care, you can get so much more in return. We invest with purpose – and that’s how we’ve become a global market leader. Here, we grow by doing the right thing for the people we serve. And so can you. We want to make success accessible to everyone. This is our opportunity. Let’s make it count.

Inclusion Statement: Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.” We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose.

Please note that we review applications on a rolling basis and may close this role early if there is a high level of interest. To avoid missing out, we recommend applying as soon as possible.

How We Work: Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.