Senior Executive Assistant

Knight Frank LLP, one of the world's leading real estate advisory firms, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Executive Assistant to join our team and be a true 'business partner' to the Senior Partner & Group Chairman.

In addition to achieving and outperforming at a high-level Senior EA role, it is imperative that the Senior Executive Assistant has a deep understanding of the business’ objectives, the strategy, and the vision and the Senior Partner & Group Chair’s role & priorities. It is essential that the Senior EA has business acumen and practical skills, and can offer strategic support, counsel and insight, working with a complimentary skillset alongside the Senior Partner, to form a true strategic partnership.

Responsibilities

• Being the first point of contact for the Senior Partner & Group Chair with clients, Partners and colleagues at all levels across the firm internationally.  Representing him with warmth, professionalism, confidence and discretion and being positively perceived as his representative.
• Extensive 1:1 EA support, to be a natural extension of the Senior Partner’s day to day activities. Working exceptionally closely so as to be in a position to anticipate his needs and be able to prioritise his time. This includes proactive diary management including liaison with both clients and the KF Group internationally (often in different locations/time zones), managing email, organising and minuting meetings, drafting correspondence and Board papers, preparing presentations, general administration and efficient running of the office.
• Project work / research as required by the Senior Partner.
• Preparation for meetings, client interactions and international visits including research, preparing briefing materials and ensuring the Senior Partner has relevant documents, and pre-reading.
• Foster close relationships with Regional and Country Heads and their EAs - this role is the main point of contact for information across Knight Frank globally and the link between the Senior Partner and the wider KF Group.
• Responsible for managing the Group Executive Board meetings and agenda, liaising with both Board members and other stakeholders about their participation and contribution, preparing and circulating the GEB pre read.
• Client liaison on behalf of the Senior Partner including understanding and being conversant with the firm’s key clients, preparing and collating briefing material in advance of client interactions.
• Coordinate the Senior Partner’s UK and overseas visits including complex travel and itinerary arrangements incorporating interactions with KF overseas teams, media and clients, often in several locations globally.
• Organise and manage events including two annual Proprietary Partners’ conferences, Board strategy sessions, Senior Partner’s Drinks and Lunches and client entertainment.  Sourcing and liaising with venues and coordinating logistics for the events the Senior Partner hosts.
• Coordinate the firm’s annual “Diary” document scheduling all main Board meetings and Partners events.
• Manage Knight Frank’s long service award scheme, liaising with the HR team and arranging long service gifts and events celebrating colleagues from across the firm.

Experience and particular aptitudes/skills required

• Extensive senior level support to be a natural extension of the senior stakeholder’s day to day activities with 5+ years Senior EA experience.
• Utilising a self-starting approach to anticipate and proactively take the initiative in implementing relevant tasks such as moving along projects, updating stakeholders, recommending tactics and any manner of priorities.
• Maintaining strong connections and partnerships throughout the organisation with the ability to influence and communicate with others.  This role works closely with both the Executive Office and the Group Finance Director and his Senior EA.  You and the GFD’s Senior EA will be expected to cover each other’s roles periodically to cover leave.
• Building trustworthy relationships among stakeholders, internal teams, and external contacts, and providing the Senior Partner with any necessary business intelligence including feedback from departments. 
• Managing enquiries unilaterally where possible and bring them to the Senior Partner’s attention at a time appropriate to relative priorities or, where appropriate, direct them to another more suited person.
• Using commercial knowledge and expertise to be a trusted advisor to the Senior Partner and the Group Executive Board
• Influencing, negotiation and conflict management. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Financial awareness and understanding the principles of budgeting. 
• Excellent IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Self-starter, hardworking and with a pragmatic work ethic.

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