Executive Assistant

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Overview

Our Executive Leadership Team comprises the CEO, Chairman, Divisional Heads, COO, CFO and Business Support Directors, together playing a crucial role across a full range of operational and strategic matters. Collaborating closely, the team execute the firm’s strategic plan as well as building and shaping our culture and ensuring that our business, its successes and progress is well understood by our key stakeholders including our people, clients, intermediaries and our markets.

We are looking for an experienced Executive Assistant to play a pivotal role providing full administrative and project support to the Executive Leadership Team through the firm’s CEO who leads this team. The successful candidate will be handling high level, confidential information so will be expected to maintain strict confidentiality and exhibit discretion and professionalism in all activities, always reflecting the values and culture of the firm.

This opportunity will be located in the Birmingham office, with regular travel to the firm’s other offices, and if required, work extra hours at short notice due to the nature of the role.

• producing documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations
• drafting and proof-reading letters and documents to ensure smooth running of Board activity
• representing the CEO and Chairman as needed, in dealing with stakeholders across the firm
• organising, attending, and minuting Board and Partnership meetings, ensuring attendees have the necessary preparatory materials in plenty of time and that minutes are produced in a timely fashion
• creating reports to ensure consistency of style, format and layout
• researching and providing key information for use by the CEO and Chairman and carrying out analysis as requested
• acting as a ‘go to’ person to support the communication flow within the business
• representing the CEO and Chairman in dealing with clients, potential recruits and suppliers
• effectively coordinating the CEO and Chairman’s schedule, convening and scheduling meetings with Executive Leadership team and senior stakeholders (internal and external)
• organising specific ad hoc projects across the organisation as and when they are required by the CEO and Chairman
• any other task or responsibility, not listed above, which may be reasonably requested to be undertaken on behalf of the CEO and Chairman or firm

• at least two years’ experience in a similar EA role at Board level
• self motivated and able to work with minimal supervision and to a high standard
• the ability to demonstrate excellent administrative, word processing and IT skills with a focus on Word, Excel, Power Point
• strong written and oral communication skills
• exemplary attention to detail
• proactive approach with the ability to fully understand the nature of the business and identify priorities
• ability to work calmly under pressure

Personal qualities

• a diplomatic and influential style 
• self-confident and resilient
• educated to degree level or equivalent

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.