THE POSITION

Executive Assistant – Office of the CEO

THE ROLE PROFILE

The Office of the CEO is dynamic and fast paced, focusing on dealing with strategic and operational matters daily. The small team drives the delivery of business objectives supporting the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (“ELT”) across a range of activities. The CEO and ELT lead on all aspects of the work of SEAI and are responsible for ensuring the delivery of SEAI’s business plans, with the CEO being responsible for delivery of SEAI’s strategy.

This role is based in SEAI’s Dublin office. There may be a requirement for flexibility and occasional travel. Attendance on site based on business needs will be a key part of this role; however, in line with SEAI’s Blended Working Policy, this role will be suited to some form of blended working.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

The role will provide a comprehensive range of support services to the CEO and Programme Manager Office of the CEO, enabling the successful operation of the Leadership Team. This exciting role will work with key stakeholders at a senior level internally and externally at all levels, and therefore requires strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship building skills. Along with having discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature, the successful candidate will be highly organised, have excellent coordination skills, and be a proactive problem-solver. A high level of IT proficiency with MS office programmes (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) is essential, along with the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy, delivering within tight deadlines, and the ability to be flexible in the role in adjusting to rapid changes.

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Programme Manager, the key responsibilities of the Executive Assistant, Office of the CEO include but are not limited to the following:

• Diary management and arranging daily operations of the CEO.
• Scheduling and liaison on behalf of the CEO with internal stakeholders as directed by the Programme Manager, supporting a coordinated, professional and dynamic overall executive function.
• Liaising with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and delivering exemplary customer service as a point of contact within the Office of the CEO, processing complaints, representations, escalations, and queries.
• Supporting relevant research, reporting, activities and project support requests within the Office of the CEO.
• Deliver secretarial supports as directed by the Programme Manager, including minuting meetings, following up on outcomes, tracking actions, and maintaining formal and accurate records of all documentation.
• Preparation of travel arrangements for the Office of the CEO, providing cover support to the company’s travel coordinator as required, as well as various briefing materials.
• Assistance at external company events.
  

To ensure that activity peaks within the team are addressed in a proactive manner, it is expected that the candidate appointed to this role will need to be flexible in terms of working hours and attendance in-person on-site in SEAI offices during busy periods.

Key Knowledge And Skills

The knowledge and skills required by the Executive Assistant, Office of the CEO include but are not limited to the following:

• Ability to prioritise and complete work effectively, within deadlines and to a high standard.
• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon.
• Ensures that customers are at the heart of all services provided.
• Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics, and integrity.
• Ability to quickly understand and anticipate the changing needs of the team.
• Effective communicator.
• Ability to be a team player and take direction, together with having the ability to work on their own initiative as appropriate.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, diplomacy, and tact.
• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives.
• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands.
  

The responsibilities of the role will develop and evolve with the experience of the role-holder. Additional duties that may be relevant to the role of Executive Assistant may be assigned as appropriate.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in the area of Executive Assistant support to C-suite level or a similar area
• A Degree, Post-grad and/or equivalent qualification at level 7 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications
• Exceptional attention to detail and communications skills
• Evidence of ability to demonstrate flexibility
• Evidence of ability to adapt to changes in the working environment whilst working within tight deadlines
• Well-developed IT skills, including a detailed knowledge of computer applications and the ability to use them effectively to improve performance and communications
• Experience in handling confidential information; demonstrating high levels of integrity and discretion
  

Desierable Requirements

The following attributes would be a distinct advantage:

• A passion for sustainability and climate action
• Experience in operating in a customer-centric environment, such as handling of complaints or a similar area
• A flexible approach to problem solving and decision-making, with an ability to be proactive
• A broad knowledge of the Irish Public Sector and relevant policy areas
  

Eligibility to Work: Eligibility to Work: The SEAI has a legal obligation to ensure that all employees are lawfully entitled to work in Ireland. To qualify, candidates must hold a valid visa on the date of application and where applicable to support a candidate’s application, candidates must submit a valid work permit/visa confirming permission to work in Ireland when requested. Failure to submit the required evidence, and failure to hold a valid permit/visa during the period of the contract, will result in the application and/or contract of employment being rendered void.