Are you ready to chart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourself to support our evolving culture. If you’re seeking an employer that is passionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the place for you.
At a glance:
Location: London - Paddington
Workplace Type: On-Site
Employment Type: Permanent
Seniority: Associate
The role:
In this role, you'll provide proactive support to c.3 senior directors, whilst also providing ad-hoc cover for the GEC member EA. You’ll be the right hand person to the senior directors, working seamlessly with the Directorate’s leadership and support roles to enable them to advance business initiatives and goals. You’ll use initiative and experience to filter and attend to the day-to-day functions that are part of the senior directors’ role so that they can focus on the high level leadership and strategy functions. You’ll be the eyes and ears for the directors, connecting teams, projects, and critical business information together, and ensuring meetings and materials are efficient and effective. You’ll be expected to handle highly sensitive and confidential financial, legal, personnel, strategic plans and sector information while exercising professionalism and discretion.
What you'll be doing:
- Gatekeeping - ensure the directors’ time is protected and focused on strategic priorities by controlling the flow of information, requests, and interactions, and exercising judgement to filter what reaches them and prioritise access to ensure only essential matters demand their attention.
- Diary Management – Expert use of Microsoft Outlook to manage complex diary requests, to include booking appointments & arranging meetings, often using judgment to juggle leaders’ commitments to meet priorities.
- Meeting preparation and briefing - provide context and concise briefings before meetings or presentations, allowing the GEC member/directors to engage meaningfully without unnecessary distractions.
- Own the production and format of meeting agendas & minutes - collate, circulate and track meeting actions, and draft internal communications from the directors or GEC member as requested, ensuring that appropriate records, files, and documentation are maintained to high standards and to strict deadlines.
- Mailbox and correspondence management – proactive approach to managing the directors’ inboxes including responding, drafting, flagging, filing and following up on emails. Draft and prepare various other types of correspondence between internal teams, leaders, Partners, clients and/or external stakeholders.
- Create impactful presentations using software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, ensuring these are well-structured and effectively convey information by selecting appropriate visuals, designing slide layouts, and transitions.
- Plan and coordinate travel arrangements for local, national and international travel - using knowledge of the leaders being supported, ensure that every aspect of the trip is planned meticulously from bookings to itineraries, exercising judgement should plans change unexpectedly. Prepare and distribute schedules/agendas for travel.
- Event Organisation – coordinate large and small onsite and offsite meetings and events including venue research and booking, attendees, agenda planning, facility equipment needs, and catering. Be the first point of contact for all visitors for the directors.
- Prepare, reconcile, and track expense reports through the travel and expense system.
- Support the Procurement team/process with the management of invoices, raising purchase orders and processing payments.
- Manage delegated responsibilities for the directors’ teams holiday approvals including absence & sickness management.
- Support any reasonable project related requirements as required by the Business Manager and/or directorate colleagues. This may include organising meetings, setting up and tracking project timelines, and assigning tasks to appropriate team members.
- Be proactive & flexible to support any other reasonable needs of the leaders/business as necessary.
Who we're looking for:
This is a pivotal support role working closely with up to three senior directors within one directorate. You’ll be instrumental in enabling these leaders to operate at their highest effectiveness by managing critical administrative and organisational tasks, facilitating efficient operations, and ensuring they remain focused on strategic objectives. The role sits at the centre of the directorate, providing trusted, high-level executive assistance.
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience supporting executive leaders in a similar role.
- Advanced MS Office skills, particularly in Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams.
- Exceptional organisational and time-management abilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience supporting senior leaders in a financial services environment.
- Knowledge of internal procurement systems and expense processing.
- Familiarity with Consumer Duty and regulated business environments.
Special Requirements:
Occasional national travel (e.g. between SJP offices), with some overnight stays. Some flexibility around working hours expected from time to time.
What's in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
- Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
- Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
- 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at
[email protected]Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.
As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
