At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CEO with strategic, operational, and executive tasks to drive business success.
- Company: Join Wynnstay Group, a leading organisation with a collaborative and values-driven culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: This role offers exceptional growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of the company while working closely with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with strong organisational and leadership skills; previous experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Wynnstay Group is seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to provide strategic, operational and executive support to the Chief Executive Officer. This is not a traditional Executive Assistant role. Operating at the heart of the business, you will act as a trusted partner to the CEO, helping maximise their effectiveness by proactively managing priorities, anticipating challenges and ensuring the successful delivery of business objectives.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will work closely with the Board, Executive Team and senior stakeholders across the Group. You will act as an extension of the CEO, taking ownership of actions, driving progress and resolving issues before they require CEO involvement wherever possible. Success in this role will be measured not simply by how effectively you manage diaries and meetings, but by your ability to create capacity for the CEO to focus on leading the business. You will remove obstacles, drive accountability, coordinate strategic activity and ensure priorities are delivered through effective collaboration across the organisation.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional business professional who enjoys solving problems, influencing others and working closely with senior leaders. Previous Executive Assistant experience is welcomed but is not essential; we are equally interested in candidates with a strong management, operational or leadership background who can demonstrate the capability, judgement and character to become a trusted partner to the CEO.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic Partnership
- Act as the CEO's trusted Executive Assistant and strategic partner, providing proactive support across operational, commercial and strategic priorities.
- Maximise the CEO's effectiveness by protecting their time, managing competing priorities and ensuring focus remains on the activities that create the greatest value for the business.
- Operate as an extension of the CEO, exercising sound judgement and taking ownership of issues wherever appropriate.
- Anticipate challenges before they arise, identifying practical solutions and resolving issues proactively to minimise disruption to the CEO.
- Act as a trusted sounding board, providing balanced advice, insight and challenge where appropriate.
- Executive Office Leadership
- Manage the CEO's complex and evolving diary, ensuring meetings, commitments and priorities are effectively planned and coordinated.
- Assess incoming requests, correspondence and meeting invitations, exercising judgement over priorities and acting as an effective gatekeeper to the CEO.
- Organise domestic and international travel, accommodation, itineraries and logistics.
- Manage correspondence, expenses, records and administrative processes to ensure the efficient operation of the Executive Office.
- Driving Accountability
- Take ownership of actions arising from Board, Executive Committee and leadership meetings, ensuring commitments are delivered within agreed timescales.
- Proactively follow up with Executive Team members and senior leaders to ensure actions are completed, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Remove barriers preventing progress by coordinating stakeholders, facilitating discussions and driving timely resolution of issues.
- Monitor strategic priorities and business initiatives, ensuring momentum is maintained and agreed outcomes are achieved.
- Ensure the CEO has clear visibility of progress, risks and issues through concise and meaningful updates.
- Board & Executive Support
- Coordinate the preparation of Board, Executive Committee and other senior leadership meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations and supporting documentation.
- Attend meetings where required, capturing actions, decisions and key outcomes.
- Prepare high-quality briefing papers, presentations, reports and confidential documents to support effective decision-making.
- Ensure governance activities, actions and documentation are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Strategic Projects & Business Improvement
- Support the CEO in delivering strategic projects, organisational initiatives and business transformation programmes.
- Conduct research, gather information and prepare analysis to support informed decision-making.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities across the business, ensuring projects remain on track and stakeholders remain aligned.
- Identify opportunities to improve business processes, Executive Office effectiveness and organisational efficiency.
- Stakeholder Management & Communication
- Build trusted relationships with the Board, Executive Team, senior leaders, customers and external stakeholders.
- Act as a key point of contact on behalf of the CEO, ensuring effective communication and professional representation at all times.
- Prepare speeches, presentations, briefing notes and internal communications on behalf of the CEO.
- Support internal and external communications activities, working closely with Communications, Marketing and People & Culture to ensure consistent messaging.
- Professional Standards
- Handle highly confidential and commercially sensitive information with absolute discretion, professionalism and integrity.
- Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, judgement and organisational skills.
- Maintain the highest standards of professionalism whilst representing the CEO and Wynnstay Group.
What we’re looking for:
We are looking for an exceptional individual with the confidence, judgement and resilience to become a trusted partner to the CEO. Whilst previous Executive Assistant experience would be advantageous, we are equally interested in candidates who have demonstrated outstanding organisational, leadership or operational capability in management or business roles and are looking for an opportunity to work closely with a CEO in a strategic capacity. Success in this role will be determined far more by attitude, commercial judgement, initiative and the ability to solve problems than by previous job title.
Essential:
- Degree educated.
- Experience supporting senior leaders or operating successfully within a management, operational or leadership role, with a proven ability to influence others, coordinate activity and deliver business outcomes.
- Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple competing demands.
- Proven ability to anticipate issues, identify solutions and resolve problems independently.
- Demonstrable initiative, resilience and personal accountability, with a natural tendency to identify problems, take ownership and drive solutions without waiting to be asked.
- Strong commercial awareness and sound business judgement.
- Experience driving actions and holding stakeholders accountable for delivery.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the confidence and credibility to influence senior stakeholders.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
- Experience producing high-quality presentations, reports and executive documentation.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure whilst maintaining professionalism and discretion.
- Absolute integrity and the ability to handle highly confidential information appropriately.
Desirable:
- Experience supporting a CEO, Executive Team or Board.
- Experience working within a PLC, listed company or complex multi-site organisation.
- Experience within agriculture, manufacturing, retail, logistics or distribution.
- Exposure to strategic projects, organisational change or business transformation.
- Project management experience or formal project management qualification.
Benefits:
- Highly competitive salary package
- Employee Assistance Programme with BUPA
- Company profit related pay scheme
- Management performance related bonus
- Company vehicle/Cash Allowance
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Assurance
- 25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays
- Employee discount at Wynnstay Stores
- Opportunity to join a supportive, values-led organisation with a turnover of £613 million and over 800 colleagues nationwide
Executive Assistant to the CEO employer: Wynnstay Group PLC
Wynnstay Group is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment where you can thrive as an Executive Assistant to the CEO. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and a profit-related pay scheme, and a supportive culture that values initiative and collaboration. Located at the heart of a thriving business, this role presents a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and make a meaningful impact on the organisation's strategic objectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant to the CEO
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Wynnstay Group PLC.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Wynnstay Group PLC.
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We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant to the CEO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Wynnstay Group PLC.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Wynnstay Group PLC. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wynnstay Group PLC
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Wynnstay Group PLC, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Wynnstay Group PLC, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Wynnstay Group PLC could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Wynnstay Group PLC as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
