Executive Assistant

**An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us as an Executive Assistant.**

In this role, you will report directly into the CEO and would be responsible for supporting the CEO and Executive Team to deliver the strategic business plan goals and objectives. You will take ownership for progressing and coordinating certain ExecutiveTeam actions to completion. This will involve communicating, influencing and working with teams and stakeholders from across the company and externally.

Additionally, you will co-ordinate the CEO and Executive Teams calendar of activity to ensure optimum outcomes and appropriate governance. The co-ordination of papers, minute taking and tracking of actions, and the supporting administration, of ExecutiveTeam, Underwriting Group and Membership Team Meetings.

**The Executive Assistant Key Tasks**:

- Work directly with the CEO to support aspects of their work and objectives.
- Maintain the CEO's calendar including the scheduling of meetings, appointments, business activity and travel exercising discretion in committing time and evaluating needs
- Provide coordination, monitoring and communication of Business Plan activity and the Executive Team calendar of activity
- Support Executive Team members on specific projects or activities
- Manage all correspondence for the CEO including prioritising and progressing associated actions and drafting and sending responses
- Co-ordination of administration requirements for the CEO
- Development of reports and presentations as required by the CEO, Executive Team or for meetings
- Co-ordination of an effective electronic filing system of documents for CEO and Executive Team integrating with current company processes and resources
- Analysing and assessing reports to identify next steps and actions
- Sourcing, liaising with, and managing, external partners and providers to deliver on requirements associated with the plans and activities

**What you get back**
- A competitive salary
- Great working team environment
- 10% Non-Contributory Company Pension
- Private Medical Insurance
- Simplyhealth Cashplan
- Life Insurance
- 30 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Purchase additional holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Benefits portal with
- health and finance wellbeing advice
- retail discounts
- gym discounts
- and much more
- Parking space (if working in the office)

And finally, a great place to have a fulfilling and stimulating career.

**What are we looking for?**

You ideally will have experience of working in a FS environment, with awareness of Board, Executive and Committee meetings. Additionally with 5 years' experience of providing CEO and Executive support.
- Ability to operate with confidentiality and professionalism
- Exceptional communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Strong organisational skills
- Excellent time management
- Ability to problem solve and multitask
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
- Excellent writing, editing and proof-reading skills
- Comfortable in presenting

**Behavioural**
- Excellent relationship management skills
- Excellent communication skills - both oral and written
- Strong influencing and persuasive skills
- A team player, with good collaborative working and interpersonal skills
- A proactive and output driven approach
- The ability to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities
- The ability to use initiative and to work under pressure

This role requires a flexible approach to work with a mix of home and office-based work based on preference and need. There may some occasional travel requirements.

**About the company**

The Veterinary Defence Society is a mutual insurance company run by experienced veterinary surgeons, which insures the vast majority of the practising veterinary profession against the effects of claims of negligence.

With over 150 years experience, the VDS ensures that cases are handled by veterinary colleagues experienced in claims management, defends reputations and finances against unjustified claims and offers compensation when appropriate.
- At The Veterinary Defence Society, we are committed to equality and diversity. We ensure that job standards are relevant to the successful undertaking of the job. We do not indirectly disadvantage any persons on the grounds of gender, age, disability,race, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, any other protected characteristic, or social status._
- As part the recruitment process, The Veterinary Defence Society collects and processes personal data relating to applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. _