Executive Assistant to the CEO

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Wynnstay Group is seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to provide strategic, operational and executive support to the Chief Executive Officer. 

This is not a traditional Executive Assistant role. Operating at the heart of the business, you will act as a trusted partner to the CEO, helping maximise their effectiveness by proactively managing priorities, anticipating challenges and ensuring the successful delivery of business objectives. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will work closely with the Board, Executive Team and senior stakeholders across the Group. You will act as an extension of the CEO, taking ownership of actions, driving progress and resolving issues before they require CEO involvement wherever possible. 

Success in this role will be measured not simply by how effectively you manage diaries and meetings, but by your ability to create capacity for the CEO to focus on leading the business. You will remove obstacles, drive accountability, coordinate strategic activity and ensure priorities are delivered through effective collaboration across the organisation. 

This is an outstanding opportunity for an exceptional business professional who enjoys solving problems, influencing others and working closely with senior leaders. Previous Executive Assistant experience is welcomed but is not essential; we are equally interested in candidates with a strong management, operational or leadership background who can demonstrate the capability, judgement and character to become a trusted partner to the CEO. 

Responsibilities: 

Strategic Partnership 

Act as the CEO's trusted Executive Assistant and strategic partner, providing proactive support across operational, commercial and strategic priorities.  

Maximise the CEO's effectiveness by protecting their time, managing competing priorities and ensuring focus remains on the activities that create the greatest value for the business.  

Operate as an extension of the CEO, exercising sound judgement and taking ownership of issues wherever appropriate.  

Anticipate challenges before they arise, identifying practical solutions and resolving issues proactively to minimise disruption to the CEO.  

Act as a trusted sounding board, providing balanced advice, insight and challenge where appropriate. 

Executive Office Leadership 

Manage the CEO's complex and evolving diary, ensuring meetings, commitments and priorities are effectively planned and coordinated.  

Assess incoming requests, correspondence and meeting invitations, exercising judgement over priorities and acting as an effective gatekeeper to the CEO.  

Organise domestic and international travel, accommodation, itineraries and logistics.  

Manage correspondence, expenses, records and administrative processes to ensure the efficient operation of the Executive Office.  

Driving Accountability 

Take ownership of actions arising from Board, Executive Committee and leadership meetings, ensuring commitments are delivered within agreed timescales.  

Proactively follow up with Executive Team members and senior leaders to ensure actions are completed, escalating issues where appropriate.  

Remove barriers preventing progress by coordinating stakeholders, facilitating discussions and driving timely resolution of issues.  

Monitor strategic priorities and business initiatives, ensuring momentum is maintained and agreed outcomes are achieved.  

Ensure the CEO has clear visibility of progress, risks and issues through concise and meaningful updates.  

Board & Executive Support 

Coordinate the preparation of Board, Executive Committee and other senior leadership meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations and supporting documentation.  

Attend meetings where required, capturing actions, decisions and key outcomes.  

Prepare high-quality briefing papers, presentations, reports and confidential documents to support effective decision-making.  

Ensure governance activities, actions and documentation are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.  

Strategic Projects & Business Improvement 

Support the CEO in delivering strategic projects, organisational initiatives and business transformation programmes.  

Conduct research, gather information and prepare analysis to support informed decision-making.  

Coordinate cross-functional activities across the business, ensuring projects remain on track and stakeholders remain aligned.  

Identify opportunities to improve business processes, Executive Office effectiveness and organisational efficiency.  

Stakeholder Management & Communication 

Build trusted relationships with the Board, Executive Team, senior leaders, customers and external stakeholders.  

Act as a key point of contact on behalf of the CEO, ensuring effective communication and professional representation at all times.  

Prepare speeches, presentations, briefing notes and internal communications on behalf of the CEO.  

Support internal and external communications activities, working closely with Communications, Marketing and People & Culture to ensure consistent messaging.  

Professional Standards 

Handle highly confidential and commercially sensitive information with absolute discretion, professionalism and integrity.  

Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, judgement and organisational skills.  

Maintain the highest standards of professionalism whilst representing the CEO and Wynnstay Group.

What we’re looking for: 

We are looking for an exceptional individual with the confidence, judgement and resilience to become a trusted partner to the CEO. 

Whilst previous Executive Assistant experience would be advantageous, we are equally interested in candidates who have demonstrated outstanding organisational, leadership or operational capability in management or business roles and are looking for an opportunity to work closely with a CEO in a strategic capacity. 

Success in this role will be determined far more by attitude, commercial judgement, initiative and the ability to solve problems than by previous job title.

Essential: 

• Degree educated.
• Experience supporting senior leaders or operating successfully within a management, operational or leadership role, with a proven ability to influence others, coordinate activity and deliver business outcomes.
• Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple competing demands.
• Proven ability to anticipate issues, identify solutions and resolve problems independently.
• Demonstrable initiative, resilience and personal accountability, with a natural tendency to identify problems, take ownership and drive solutions without waiting to be asked.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound business judgement.
• Experience driving actions and holding stakeholders accountable for delivery.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the confidence and credibility to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Experience producing high-quality presentations, reports and executive documentation.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure whilst maintaining professionalism and discretion.
• Absolute integrity and the ability to handle highly confidential information appropriately. 

Desirable: 

• Experience supporting a CEO, Executive Team or Board.
• Experience working within a PLC, listed company or complex multi-site organisation.
• Experience within agriculture, manufacturing, retail, logistics or distribution.
• Exposure to strategic projects, organisational change or business transformation.
• Project management experience or formal project management qualification. 

Benefits: 

• Highly competitive salary package
• Employee Assistance Programme with BUPA
• Company profit related pay scheme  
• Management performance related bonus
• Company vehicle/Cash Allowance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance  
• 25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays
• Employee discount at Wynnstay Stores
• Opportunity to join a supportive, values-led organisation with a turnover of £613 million and over 800 colleagues nationwide