Executive Assistant

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation.

Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues.

Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers.

Permanent
Blended working arrangement to fit the needs off the Executive Director (Home/Office)

As an experienced Executive Assistant at Canada Life, you will be part of a fast-paced and ambitious business, keen to make a real difference by going above and beyond. You will need to be able to quickly establish strong relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally and must demonstrate a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.

You will be the primary point of contact, providing dedicated professional support to your Executive Director including effective management of calendars and meetings. The dynamic nature of this role requires the ideal candidate to have excellent time management skills and the ability to identify and anticipate their Executive's needs.

What you'll do:

• Proactively take responsibility for ensuring that all aspects of the Executive's work are effectively supported and managed.
• Be the first point of contact for your Executive's meeting requests. Efficiently and effectively manage the diary, exercising discretion in committing time and evaluating needs.
• Be aware of all email traffic and use insight and initiative to proactively execute tasks where possible and appropriate to do so.
• Build strong relationships with our global EA colleagues, while providing a professional level of service where flexibility is paramount.
• Forward thinking, planning and strategy in a fast-paced environment while using excellent time management skills.
• Confident when dealing with external regulator bodies or consultants.
• Book complex travel arrangements, managing itineraries and budgets effectively.
• Coordinate departmental meetings, assisting in the preparation and distribution of meeting agendas and materials
• Act as a liaison between the Executives and their Direct Reports to ensure that agreed deadlines are met for any requested documents and information and can assimilate and share information and knowledge quickly.
• Ensure effective governance tools are in place to track actions, deadlines, forward agendas etc and ensure these are kept up to date and are fit for purpose.
• Production and distribution of reports, presentations and correspondence on behalf of Executives including those relating to Boards and Executive Committee Meetings.
• Support the Executive by following up on key actions and data and liaise with other senior stakeholders globally.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit expense reports.
• Keep the Executive advised of time-sensitive and priority issues, ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Other additional and/or alternative ad hoc duties as assigned from time to time, including supporting other departments or Executives as needed.

The ideal candidate:

• Is a detail-oriented self starter - prior experience in the financial industry is preferred
• Able to prioritise and use initiative to make decisions and find a way forward

• Is energetic, curious and eager to tackle new projects and ideas
• Has excellent interpersonal skills - and the ability to work and communicate at all levels across the organisation
• Is a team player who is resourceful with a can-do attitude
• Is reliable, conscientious and takes pride in a job well done
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Has a high standard of planning and organisational skills
• Has excellent written and verbal skills
• Is proactive with the ability to multitask and respond quickly to emerging priorities, both within the Executive's area and the wider business
• Discretion and confidentiality is also essential

Benefits of working at Canada Life

We believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package that's regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, you'll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pension and bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development.

How we work at Canada Life

Our culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationships we have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward.

We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. That's why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop.

Diversity and inclusion

Building an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress we're making in DEI, and we continue for it to be a significant focus.

"At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all." Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK

We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for you.