As we continue our journey to grow our business as a newly created PLC, the role of Executive Assistant to the CEO and the PLC Executive Leadership Team is critical to our success.
Why? Because, you’re the person on the ground that supports and helps enable the CEO and his team to lead the business and continue driving it forward. You’re the person that keeps the PLC Exec team’s affairs in order, running smoothly, and connecting the wider leadership team. This is a fast paced role with a broad scope of stakeholders internally and externally, and by being the point of contact onsite at our Watford Support Centre, you will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of a high level of professional support to our Senior Leaders.
And it’s more than that.
You’ll be focused on adding value across a number of broader activities, requiring critical thinking and a naturally curious and analytical mindset. As a self-starter with a proactive attitude you will be able to anticipate critical data that the CEO and PLC Executive Leadership Team will need, alongside being actively involved in strategic initiatives important for company culture and company success.
Roles like this don’t come up very often. This is a great opportunity to progress and develop your career. You will ideally have demonstrable experience as a PA or EA for Senior teams, with strong experience in effective diary management, planning and organising. Alongside this there are a set of transferable skills that will be essential for success.
Organisation and Prioritisation: A self starter able to show proactivity and initiative around all aspects of diary management and administration. Working with multiple stakeholders, across a broad range of activities the role requires balancing multiple priorities, and an ability to anticipate critical information that the Directors will need, alongside being actively involved in every aspect of what they do.
Attention to Detail: Managing shifting priorities and working to tight deadlines, requires a keen eye for detail and accuracy
Communication: As a spokesperson for the CEO and Board team, the EA represents the culture and style of these individuals and the broader Leadership Team, exceptional communication skills are fundamental in this role. An ability to adapt communication style is essential as interactions will be extremely varied - internally and externally across all levels including the Board, customers, suppliers and partners. Situations need to be presented clearly and accurately, often whilst working under time pressure.
Emotional Intelligence: The breadth and depth of interaction internally and externally, require a proven track record in building and maintaining relationships with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Speed and Decisiveness: An ability to work at pace, summarising situations, gathering necessary information, asking the right questions, and reaching timely and proactive decisions is also paramount.
Discretion and Trust: As a trusted confidant and counsel, the EA should demonstrate a high level of integrity, discretion and confidentiality at all times
This is a role that you can really make your own, working across the business, developing close relationships with the senior team and colleagues at all levels of the organisation provides opportunity for both career and personal development.
You’ll need to have the flexibility to be based in our Watford support centre on a regular basis, and to be able to attend at short notice should it be required. Some ad hoc UK travel may also occasionally be required.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.
But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
