Strategic Project Manager/Chief of Staff - Assurance at Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY)

Job Description
Opportunity

• You will have the opportunity to support the Africa Assurance Leader and the leadership team in the implementation of the Global, EMEIA and Africa Assurance strategy, providing multi-level assistance in the execution of all aspects of our Next Wave strategy as well as gain exposure to all various parts of the business, acting as a shadow to the Africa Assurance Leader in many cases, and dealing with senior leaders in order to execute multiple projects. 
• You will be privy to strategic elements of the African Assurance business, and will experience leadership decision making processes firsthand.  You will be provided a talented person with exceptional opportunities for mentorship and coaching in leadership and networking skill, allowing you a diverse range of experiences.
• You will be presented with an outstanding opportunity for personal development, offering the chance to gain frequent exposure to strategic discussion making and projects, running of the Assurance business, and insight by senior leaders of the business.

Responsibility

• Ensure the Africa Assurance Leader has a high level of engagement with priority clients and co-ordinate a key client care programme
• Understand the professional services and Assurance environment and keep updated on the changes and challenges facing the profession. 
• Work closely with the Africa Assurance Leader and leadership team to develop and implement the Global, EMEIA & Africa Assurance strategy
• Responsible for Assurance engagement on behalf of the Africa Assurance leader, including communications, meetings, dinners, etc. This includes preparation of all materials, events and engagement activities.
• Responsible for working closely with the Internal Communications function to ensure all messaging aligns with strategic and leadership objectives and monitor quality of messages from the Africa Assurance leader to the Assurance business.
• Draft all confidential communications on behalf of the Africa Assurance Leader.
• Ensure all outputs from projects managed are of an excellent quality and consider change management implications of projects implemented.
• Provide ongoing support to Africa Assurance leadership and ensure the team runs smoothly and effectively.
• Develop a strong network across all levels of staff within the Assurance business.
• Identify and implement initiatives and projects relating to all parts of the Assurance strategy in a way that supports our key strategic objective of building a better working world.
• Project manage and offer operational and strategic support to the Africa Assurance Leader and leadership team on all Africa Assurance key priorities and initiatives on a project-by-project basis.
• Ensure management information is accessible and ensure its timely availability for reports/presentations.
• Arrange and coordinate Assurance leadership meetings and strategy sessions, including setting agendas, production of inputs, producing minutes and follow up actions from all meetings.
• Assist with the coordination of all meetings taking place in Africa by visiting Global / EMEIA Assurance delegates.
• Become involved in adhoc additional projects as required by the Africa Assurance Leader.
• Write presentations and reports for the Africa Assurance leader and leadership when required.
• Will work on a daily basis with and be counselled by the Africa Assurance Leader.  Will also be accountable to the Africa Assurance COO & Africa Assurance Markets Leader.

To qualify for this role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience, previous project management experience is desirable.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Problem solving / decision making
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong English-writing and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to build relationships at senior levels and to engender credibility in a short time frame.
• Highly organised with a practical and intellectual approach to problem solving.
• Project management expertise and thrives on large and frequently complex projects.
• Ability to understand the impact of issues on all areas of the business across Africa, and be able to implement solutions that consider the widest possible impact.
• Competent in understanding issues and have the confidence to deal with them without excessive intervention from leadership.
• Accurate and timely packaging and presentation of information, issues and management information.
• Confidence to challenge others as well as be challenged by senior partners.
• Ability to exercise absolute confidentially and discretion.

What we look for

• We're interested in individuals with an analytical mind that can apply critical thinking skills to resolve issues and strong knowledge around federal and state regulations as related to employment screening. ​You'll need to be agile, ready to learn and have a genuine interest in supporting our people and clients. ​