Executive Assistant to the CEO

Who are we?

SJR is an award-winning content consultancy. We believe in the power of transformative content and have an unparalleled group of people with uncommon talents who do content marketing differently. We combine journalistic rigour with creative intelligence, then amplify with technology to sharpen the conversation, decode complexity, transfer knowledge, and build trust.

We hire passionate innovators, disruptors and content marketers to join us on our mission to create best-in-class brand storytelling. We strategise and create for the world’s best and biggest brands and because they have such an impact on society, we have a big impact too.

Job summary

We’re looking for an Executive Assistant to join our team. You will take on a broad variety of tasks for the Global CEO, as well as support other members of the senior team from time to time.

You’ll be an excellent communicator, comfortable liaising with staff across the company as well as external partners, and you’ll know how to exercise good judgement and discretion in a variety of situations.

This role requires proactivity, problem solving skills and an ability to take ownership of the details. You’ll be flexible and responsive in your approach and help set the tone for the overall experience with SJR.

The role’s core responsibilities

Forward thinking, accurate diary management:

• Managing the CEO’s calendar and all scheduling requirements (across time zones).
• Looking after new and recurring meetings and events, acting as a first point of contact for meeting requests.

• Creating and managing logical plans and itineraries, based on priorities and key stakeholder availability.

• Managing international travel plans and making arrangements accordingly, incorporating changes if required, and ensuring adherence to company policies.

• Organising and helping plan client and team workshops, meetings and events.

Liaison with key stakeholders and agency teams:

• Meeting preparation and management for the CEO, including sending out meeting invitations, making meeting room bookings, managing/booking catering and room set-up (AV/IT), booking in and greeting guests.
• Liaising with internal and external contacts of all levels, including partners and clients.
• Dealing with routine issues and enquiries and helping coordinate responses in a prompt and professional manner.

Administrative support:

• Raising POs and processing expenses on behalf of the CEO.
• Arranging gifts for staff, clients, and partners.
• Sourcing and booking of venues for events, meetings and dinners.

• Making travel, accommodation and taxi bookings in line with company policies.
• Preparing and circulating agendas, packs and presentations.
• Assisting CEO and senior team with regular and one-off company-wide communications on email and Teams, as appropriate.
• Taking meeting minutes when required, distributing them promptly and following up on action items, as required.
• Liaising with other members of the operations team to ensure a joined up and high-quality operations department.
• Other adhoc tasks, as required.

Support for senior team:

• Providing diary management and support to other members of the senior team, organising meetings and ensuring efficient use of time.

• Taking meeting minutes when required, helping to record actions points, and co-ordinate following ups (e.g. for BCP updates, IT compliance meetings).
• Assist in ensuring company policies are updated and distributed, as directed.

What we are looking for

• 5 years+ relevant experience, preferably within a Creative/Media/Professional Services company.
• Highly organised and efficient, with excellent diary management skills.
• Able to anticipate needs as well as deal with any unexpected situations that arise.
• Detail orientated and able to work accurately and effectively under pressure.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload to meet deadlines and get tasks and requests completed quickly and effectively.
• A problem solver, able to use own judgement to make decisions and create solutions at pace.
• Excellent communication skills; both written and spoken / face to face, with the ability to quickly establish a rapport.
• Ability to act with discretion and adhere to the highest standards of confidentiality.
• A positive and professional approach which instils confidence and trust in others and builds relationships at all levels, internally and externally.
• Self-motivated, with a flexible and ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Proficient with MS Office; Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Sharepoint.
• Right to work in the UK imperative

SJR is an equal opportunity employer, and diversity and equity are the heart of our core values. We strive to provide inclusive hiring practices and encourage applicants who belong to traditionally underrepresented groups (people of colour, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities) to apply.

We are happy to make accommodations throughout all stages of the interview process, so please do not hesitate to speak to the individual organising your interview if you require any.

At SJR, we embrace all types of talent because creativity flourishes when we invest in and celebrate the diversity of our people. So, bring us your experience, your perspectives, your potential, and your background. It’s our combined uncommon talent that helps transform the way the world tells stories.

Read more about how we’re investing in DEI on https://www.groupsjr.com/careers/