Executive Associate at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose of the role

• The Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Discovery Corporate & Employee Benefits business plays a critical strategic role in enabling the effectiveness of the CEO Office. The Executive Assistant will work closely with the CEO and the Executive Team to deliver enterprise‑wide priorities and drive key strategic programmes and initiatives to advance the mandate and ambition of the Corporate and Employee Benefits business. This role is renowned for providing a unique opportunity for potential senior talent looking for experience in executive decision‑making and to accelerate their professional growth through working with Discovery’s most senior leaders. This role is designed for a high‑potential, forward‑thinking senior professional with business experience and who is proactive, entrepreneurial, able to navigate the complexity of the CEO office and can bring complex strategic initiatives to execution.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to
The successful applicant will be responsible for but not limited to the following job functions:

• Work with the CEO to develop the strategy and manage the strategic planning cycle for the Corporate and Employee Benefits business; thereafter driving the execution of the strategic priorities and key initiatives
• Co-ordinate the Corporate and Employee Benefits Executive Committee (CEB Exco) identifying and overseeing cross functional priorities for the Exco
• Collate, analyse and synthesise information to provide insights that inform executive decision‑making
• Detailed research and analysis to provide substance to the ideas and direction of the executive team
• Enable, coordinate and operationalise strategic initiatives across executive and senior management teams
• Prepare high‑quality submissions, reports, presentations and briefing materials for executive meetings and governance forums
• Compilation of presentations and speeches for delivery by the CEO to both internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate and drive preparation for Board, EXCO and other governance structures
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the CEO where required
• Provide high‑level executive, administrative and advisory support to the CEO in the execution of her responsibilities
• Ownership and project management of strategic initiatives
• Management of business reporting and compliance for the business to internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with the Social Media team to bring awareness and visibility to the work being executed
• Input into operational design and process efficiencies

Personal Attributes and Skills

Discovery’s Executive Associates must be exceptional. They must demonstrate:

• Exceptional analytical, problem solving and research skills
• An ability to deal with complex issues as well as migrate between detail and high-level requirements.
• Be a strategic thinker
• Creative thinking and the ability to operationalise innovation.
• Drive and commitment to exceed expectations.
• Experience in tracking and accelerating a suite of business projects in a structured fashion
• Reliability and dependability – can be counted on
• Ability to influence and negotiate with impact across divisions and teams at all levels, and with external parties.
• A thorough understanding of business dynamics and strategic challenges
• Sophisticated written and verbal communication skills for executive-level internal and external delivery
• A passion for personal development and growth with high learning potential
• Commitment to excellence
• An ability to deal with ambiguity, sense making and navigating change

Education and Experience

• Relevant degree/s at post graduate level or higher, with a strong analytical or business focus
• Senior level consulting experience, within a top tier consulting firm or in the financial services industry
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Consulting or Financial Services industry
• Minimum 5 years’ business experience preferably in a leadership role
• A proven excellent track record of delivery of projects, initiatives, strategic mandates of significant value and business impact
• Extensive business and/or technical experience with a proven track record of innovation, entrepreneurship, delivery and performance