Executive Business Partner to the COO
About us
We are recruiting on behalf of an award-winning contractor with a strong track record of delivering complex projects across a range of sectors. Following recent growth into new markets, they have built a reputation for quality, reliability and delivering for a wide-ranging client base.
Their people are at the heart of everything they do, and they’re committed to offering an exciting career with learning, development and progression potential.
About the role
The Executive Business Partner to the COO is a trusted partner to the Chief Operating Officer, helping to shape priorities, drive delivery and keep the COO’s office running at pace. Going well beyond traditional administrative support, you will work alongside the COO on strategic initiatives, anticipate needs, influence outcomes and act as a credible point of contact across the leadership team and wider business. The role calls for sound judgement, commercial awareness, strong relationships at every level and absolute discretion with confidential information.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic partnership: Act as a sounding board and thought partner to the COO, helping to frame priorities, challenge assumptions and keep focus on the work with the greatest impact.
- Initiative and project leadership: Own and drive special projects and cross-functional initiatives from scoping through to delivery, tracking progress, managing risks and ensuring work lands on time and within budget.
- Stakeholder and relationship management: Represent the COO’s office with executives, department heads, clients and external partners, building strong relationships and ensuring clear, consistent communication.
- Executive operating rhythm: Run the COO’s governance and operating cadence, including leadership meetings, agendas, minutes, decisions and actions, and follow up to make sure commitments are delivered.
- Insight and reporting: Prepare high-quality reports, presentations and executive briefings, analysing information and surfacing the key insights, issues and recommendations the COO needs.
- Time and priority management: Manage the COO’s calendar, travel and commitments proactively, making judgement calls on what matters most and protecting time for high-value work.
- Confidentiality and trust: Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, integrity and professionalism at all times.
- Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve processes, ways of working and the effectiveness of the COO’s office, including through the use of technology and AI tools.
- Team collaboration: Work closely with other executive partners and administrative colleagues to share best practice and ensure seamless support across the leadership team.
- Office support: Oversee the day-to-day running of the COO’s office, including correspondence, filing and records, delegating or streamlining routine tasks where appropriate.
Qualifications and experience
- A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management or a related field desirable.
- Proven experience as an executive assistant, executive business partner or in a role providing senior-level business operations or project support.
- Demonstrated ability to partner with senior leaders, influence stakeholders and drive work to completion.
- Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
- Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
- A professional demeanour and appearance.
Contact
Nicky Strutt