Executive Assistant to the CEO

Job Requisition ID: R-15979354

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

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Job Summary

Purpose of the role:

• The role requires a Strategic Executive Assistant to support the CEO in administrative and strategic functions. This role is pivotal in ensuring the CEO’s time is optimized, strategic initiatives are well-coordinated, and executive operations run smoothly. The Executive Assistant will work closely with the Head of Strategy and Data to align CEO support with broader organizational goals and execution for the bank’s short-term and long-term plans.
• Furthermore, to provide extensive support to the CEO by being a Personal Assistant requiring a total understanding of the role, objectives, and responsibilities of the MD’s office and its strategic imperatives within the bank.

Job Description

Business Strategy support

• Facilitate the day-to-day running of Executive Office as well as track implementation of longer-term strategic initiatives as agreed in EXCO, Senior Management Forums and ABT Board.

Strategy Development & Execution

• Provide one-to-one support to the Head of Strategy and the Managing Director in developing and driving business strategy and actively participate in supporting strategy execution.
• Assist Head of Strategy to create and deliver strategic presentations, and business reviews including EXCO papers, Board papers, Regional and Group reports
• Identify business critical issues across the Country through regular review, recommend best practices and coordinate cross-functional teams to improve business performance
• Continuously review performance of business units / products across the bank and ensure an optimal mix of products / customer segments for the bank’s strategic ambitions
• Liaise with internal departments to gather data and insights for CEO-level discussions.
• Handle secretariat matters of key meetings including taking minutes and tracking actions to closure.

Performance Management and productivity analysis

• Synchronize budgeting process and work with the segment heads to develop individual objectives
• Develop and analyse performance scorecards and dashboards metrics to drive decision making
• Work closely with finance to analyse country, segment and product performance

Management Support

• Manage the CEO’s calendar, appointments, and travel arrangements - Total control of the MD’s diary scheduling/rescheduling appointments, meetings etc
• Organize and coordinate executive meetings, including agenda preparation and minute-taking.
• Handle confidential correspondence and communications on behalf of the CEO- Receive incoming mail – open, read and decide which items to be dealt with by the Executive, which to be dealt with by jobholder, items that can be diverted to other areas/management and any that can be simply filed or discarded.
• Ensure timely follow-up on action items and deliverables from CEO meetings.
• Maintain organized records and documentation relevant to CEO activities.
• Organise a wide range of meetings, functions, lunches, conferences etc. both at internal and external venues which may involve influential contacts. Liaise with internal/external contacts, visiting and vetting locations, agreeing dates, menus, prices etc.
• Act as the main reference point both in the presence and absence of the MD. Respond to/resolve a wide range of queries, channelling to the appropriate area as necessary
• Monitor all calls taking necessary action personally or diverting to other areas, referring to the MD only on essential matters
• Compile agendas, prepare briefs, and circulate papers, in anticipation of meetings. Attend a variety of meetings in support to the MD, taking minutes, diarising for follow-up procedures/action as required, including upcountry meetings.
• Receive a wide range of visitors, mostly high profile, always conveying a professional image.
• Receive CEO official emails, read them, determine priority level and advise CEO response action to be taken (as and when needed by CEO). Any other supported as may be requested by the CEO.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a point of contact between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across departments and with external partners.
• Support the CEO in preparing for public engagements, board meetings, and media interactions. Advise CEO on effective stakeholder management action plans/initiatives to optimize positive outcome

Risk and Control

• Manage risk and control effectively by applying applicable risk frameworks and embedding a positive risk culture
• Understanding of own role in the end-to-end processes in which you play a part, including applicable risks and controls.
• Adhere to Absa’s policies and procedures applicable to own role, demonstrating sound judgment and responsible risk management.
• Report all risk events / incidents / issues using the defined process for your business area and help to understand why these happened and how to prevent them in future.
• Proactively look for ways to improve the control environment by considering what could go wrong in the processes you operate and how errors could be prevented.
• Continuous and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies, unions where applicable All mandatory training completed to deadline All mandatory training completed to deadline.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinking and analytical skills
• High level of business acumen including macroeconomic awareness and global geopolitics
• Attention to detail and time management
• Strong writing and presentation abilities
• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Collaborative mindset and stakeholder management Personal Organization

Knowledge, Expertise and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Management, Accountancy, Economics or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in executive support, preferably in banking or financial services.
• Strong understanding of strategic planning and corporate governance.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Advanced in using Power Point, Ms Word and Excel

Other requirements specific to the role:

• The jobholder is required to exercise a great deal of initiative in providing support to the MD.
• May be required to represent the bank’s image in high profile situations
• Will deal with a variety of people most of whom are high profile personalities and must maintain a highly presentable image

Absa Values

• Trust
• Resourceful
• Stewardship
• Inclusive
• Courage

Education

Higher Diplomas: Office Administration (Required)