Executive Assistant

Role: Executive Assistant

Location: UK London

Job type: Full time permanent hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model allowing flexibility between working from home and our office. Typically employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS

At QS we believe that work should empower you. Thats why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do we collaborate respect and support each other.

Its our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences we learn from one another and achieve more together driving progress across the sector.

At QS youll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. Youll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

Were confident youll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweeks Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in the UK (October 2023) recognising the respect trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally its official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As an Executive Assistant this is what youll be doing:

We are seeking a highly organised proactive and discreet Executive Assistant to support our CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) maximising their strategic impact and personal effectiveness driving real-world impact across the international education sector. This role is central to managing time communications stakeholder relationships and core administrative functions enabling senior leaders to focus on high-value priorities.

The ideal candidate exercises sound judgment operates confidently in a global environment and executes with discretion calmness and efficiency. As a trusted partner the Executive Assistant anticipates needs navigates complexity and ensures seamless day-to-day operations in a fast-paced high-expectation setting.

Role responsibilities

Optimise CEO effectiveness

• Support the execution of the CEOs leadership operating rhythm ensuring key priorities meetings and decision forums are well-prepared and effective
• Proactively manage time and attention helping maximise focus time and reduce friction
• Prepare briefing materials agendas and pre-reads as required and ensure clear follow-up on actions and decisions
• Manage CEO inboxes and executive communications surfacing priorities and ensuring items are organised actioned or delegated

Support executive communications and culture

• Assist with internal and external CEO communications ensuring messages are clear timely and aligned with strategic priorities in collaboration with our Internal Communication and Corporate Communications functions
• Support the CEOs participation in initiatives that maintain executive visibility and engagement such as town halls leadership meetings and recognition activities
• Contribute to initiatives that build team morale reinforce company culture
• Prepare high-quality PowerPoint presentations and supporting documentation for internal and external audiences

Enable Executive Leadership Team (ELT) effectiveness

• Coordinate Executive Leadership Team and Board meetings including agenda preparation meeting logistics minute-taking action tracking and follow-up
• Organise internal and external meetings including venues catering technology and materials
• Support the effectiveness of the Executive Leadership Team by coordinating cross-functional priorities and workflows
• Help enable timely decision-making by ensuring the right information stakeholders and forums are in place
• Track actions and commitments across the ELT and support follow-through

Deliver high-quality administrative support

• Provide reliable efficient management of administrative tasks including scheduling travel coordination and expense management
• Process invoices and corporate credit card expenses accurately and on time
• Manage complex domestic and international travel arrangements balancing time cost and productivity considerations
• Support financial tracking budgets and operational reporting where required
• Ensure administrative processes run smoothly accurately and confidentially

Improve systems processes and efficiency

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve leadership workflows systems and processes
• Implement improvements that increase efficiency clarity and effectiveness across executive operations
• Act as a thought partner on how to streamline ways of working at the leadership level

Confidentiality and professional judgment

• Handle highly sensitive information with absolute discretion upholding the highest confidentiality and integrity standards
• Exercise sound judgment in all interactions communications and decision-making on behalf of senior leadership

Other duties

• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Relevant tertiary degree (minimum requirement)
• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant or in a senior administrative or coordination role
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills particularly PowerPoint; high proficiency across the Microsoft suite
• High level of professionalism discretion and emotional intelligence
• Ability to anticipate needs exercise sound judgment and operate independently
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced global environment

Please note if you dont meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role we encourage you to apply.

So who are we and what do we do

QS is the world leader in higher education services analytics insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility academic partnerships to branding solutions our services power both institutional and individual success.

Were behind the worlds most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings reach hundreds of millions shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990 our impact and influence have only grown. Today we work with more than 2000 of the worlds leading higher education institutions over 12000 employers and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and youll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers creators collaborators and change-makers based in 40 countries and 11international offices including Australia Malaysia India Romania Singapore France Germany the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire business acquisition and bold initiative were strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 27 days after 5 years
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But thats not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App the #1 app for sleep meditation and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs including a peer-to-peer recognition platform quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what youve heard Great apply now!

As a candidate we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so its important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another be stronger together and enable our business to thrive.

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Required Experience:

IC