Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer

We are on the lookout for an experienced  Executive Assistant to the CEO to join our team on a fulltime, permanent basis.

This role is the right hand of the Chief Executive Officer, supporting them to make the most of their time. They will also be active in the wider Executive Leadership Team activities and will play a critical support role for Fidelity Life’s Board & Management governance cycle.

We’re looking for an exceptional person – someone with initiative, professionalism, and well-developed organisational skills. You’ll be able to read the room, sense what’s going on and have super-human judgement skills. You’ll be an expert at influencing at a senior level.

The EA to the CEO needs to be experienced in managing and building trusted, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders. It would be great if you have a strong interest in governance and/or project management, but it’s essential to be focussed on outcomes, with accuracy and attention to detail.

We’re busy, and the work is challenging, but we’re a tight-knit team with a fun and rewarding work environment, and the right person will take ownership and thrive in this environment.

Job Description

Some key responsibilities include:

Administrative support

• Managing complex calendars including strategically scheduling, managing, and prioritising meetings to align with key priorities.
• Working proactively to identify issues and opportunities and raising those with the CEO as appropriate, offering solutions and insights.
• Managing inboxes, including responding or drafting responses to internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the CEO where appropriate.
• Providing polished on-site and offsite experiences for external guests.

Supporting the management and co-ordination of Fidelity Life’s Board & Management governance cycle, including:

• Providing all rounded support including assistance preparing agendas, ability to take minutes, as well as word processing, formatting, and proof-reading documents.
• Proactively work with the CEO and Executive team to form the executive meeting agendas to ensure the best use of time and effective decision making.
• Creation, management and maintenance of all Executive Management packs via Diligent software.
• Management of all Board, Committee and Executive Management meeting logistics, including travel, venue co-ordination and on-the-ground management of meeting logistics.

Team collaboration and organisation:

• Seeking out opportunities for team efficiency gains, cost reduction, control enhancement.
• Contributing to executive leadership meetings ensuring follow ups are done on action items, project deadlines and deliverables.
• Organizing the management of large-scale team events and offsites including the coordination of venues, agendas, and logistics.

Desired Skills and Experience

About you

You will possess:

• 10+ years of experience in a senior EA/ Board role, preferably (but not necessarily) within the finance or insurance sectors.
• Outstanding communication skills both written and spoken.
• Excellent situational awareness, and ability to manage difficult conversations and provide insights as appropriate.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Suite and experience with virtual events platforms would be highly regarded)
• Experience using the Diligent Board software system or similar, supported by strong document management and word processing skills, preferably obtained in a professional services firm or financial services organisation.
• Experience managing and executing high quality, complex events, from Board meetings to team offsites.

About Us

Celebrating 50-years in 2023, Fidelity Life is New Zealand’s largest locally owned and operated life insurer. Our people are connected through our purpose and the shared belief that insurance really matters. We’re passionately committed to our aspiration to reimagine life insurance, so we can be there for more New Zealanders when they need help the most. Our aspiration is built around transforming our industry through a customer lens. We’re aiming to use smart technology, data, and digital capability to unlock a deeper understanding of our customers and provide innovative solutions and experiences that meet their needs. We’re also committed to our communities. Given that New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of life insurance in the developed world, we think we have a responsibility to raise financial awareness and education, to provide better protection for all New Zealand families and whānau. In short, we’ve big aspirations and a plan to deliver on them – and we’re looking for great people to help make it happen!