Executive Assistant Job at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB)

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, is a leading African corporate and investment bank and part of one of the largest financial services groups in Africa. We offer our clients innovative, value-added advisory, funding, trading, corporate banking and principal investing solutions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Executive Assistant

Job Requisition id: R25556
Job Location: Lagos
Job Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The objective is to identify a successful candidate to serve as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Bank to work in partnership to execute projects that are integral to actualizing the Bank’s vision and delivering on its strategic imperatives.
• This will include assisting to formulate strategic projects and implement or project- manage the execution of such strategic activities. In addition, the successful candidate will serve as a confidant of the CEO.

Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following: 
Identification, planning, management, coordination, and administration of strategic initiatives:

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives in line with the CEO’s requirements, this will also include drafting, analyzing, presenting, and communicating such strategic projects 
• Utilization of appropriate approaches, methodologies, and frameworks to structure initiatives 
• Development of business cases to support the strategic initiative where applicable  
• Creating clarity amongst stakeholders of the problem to be solved per initiative  
• Effectively coordinating activities such that all contributors and stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in completing the respective tasks  
• Preparing for and facilitating strategic workshops 
• Capture and follow up on key actions within workshops and key meetings  
• Identify key success measures per initiative/project implemented to ensure the desired outcomes and value is derived 
• Identify key risks and challenges that could impede the development and/or execution of initiatives/projects  

Effective Stakeholder Management:

• Interact with the Bank’s business unit heads to identify and manage their requirements as part of the strategic initiative to be delivered 
• Manage relationships and engagements with partners contributing to the strategic initiative being worked on  
• Initiate dialogue to build professional working relationships with all stakeholders, displaying excellent abilities to listen, advise, influence, negotiate, and present at all levels 
• Adapt communication styles to meet the needs of different audiences to create buy-in and translate strategic objectives into measurable and understandable actions 
• Build rapport with the relevant leaders in the Bank 
• Identify opportunities to build strong partnerships and networks, within and external to the Bank 

Research, analysis, synthesizing, and presentation of key findings:

• Performing relevant research and analyses to support the strategic initiative at hand  
• Always utilizing a data-driven approach (empirical and anecdotal) to support arguments and/or recommendations  
• Appropriately capture, synthesize findings, and tailor these to the various audience/stakeholder groups 
• Packaging all findings in well-considered presentations

Ad Hoc Strategic/Organization Support:

• Provide ad-hoc strategy and planning support that emerges from the portfolio of the CEO’s office pipeline of initiatives 
• Support ad hoc projects that aim to improve impact and performance in areas that are critical to the Bank’s goals and strategy
• Co-write thought leadership articles that position the CEO and/or business appropriately in the market

Co-ordination/execution of relevant reports, presentations, speeches, and other written material:

• Handle documentation that requires the attention of the relevant manager/stakeholder and prepare reports on various matters 
• Write/co-ordinate strategy documents, communications, presentation material, speeches, briefing documents,  reports, and other relevant documentation as required 
• Document all analysis/research conducted, and store these appropriately as supporting and sharable data 

Qualifications and Experience

• A first degree or equivalent in a relevant field  
• 3-5yrs years of post-NYSC experience in strategy development and execution and/or management consulting, or related experience, preferably within a Big 3 audit/consulting firm, other reputable consulting firms, banking, financial or telecommunications institution. Financial background is advantageous.   
• Post-graduate degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Commerce, or any such related field where structured, critical, and analytical thinking is applied 
• Knowledge of and experience with common approaches for research, strategic analysis, project management and presentation design, stakeholder management, and engagement 

General Skills: 

• Demonstrate pride in RMBN’s brand and values 
• Maintain a positive attitude and handle stress in ways that do not negatively impact others 
• Plan and manage own workflow, anticipating obstacles, juggling priorities, and following through on objectives within agreed timeframes and according to quality standards 
• Act in an ethical, transparent, and morally defensible manner, including highlighting unethical practices 
• Continually share, debate, and communicate learnings 
• Flag and debate issues constructively
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of team members and personalities
• Invested in the CEO’s goals and overall success, helping the CEO to perform at their best and align with organizational objectives
• Willing to provide extra time and energy during peak periods
• Exhibits a high level of discretion and availability when required
• Promote a cooperative climate in working with others to achieve shared goals 

Technical Pre-requisite: 

• Strategy development
• Business Case Development 
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint

Competencies Required: 

• Effective Business Management Experience 
• Relevant Research, Analysis & Insights  
• Effective Stakeholder Management  
• Problem-solving  
• Attention to detail  
• Outcomes driven  
• Stakeholder management
• Strong Verbal and written communication 
• Assertiveness  
• Influencing and negotiating  
• Consulting and advisory  
• Planning and organizing