Strategic Projects Assistant Director

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm is seeking a Strategic Projects Manager in Johannesburg to support the Africa Assurance Leader and drive multiple strategic initiatives. This role provides an exceptional opportunity for exposure to leadership decision-making and personal development. The ideal candidate should possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, along with a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience. Flexibility in working hours is necessary.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Previous project management experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support the Africa Assurance Leader in executing the Global and Africa Assurance strategy.
• Manage communications and organize events for the Africa Assurance leader.
• Draft confidential communications on behalf of the Africa Assurance Leader.
• Project manage initiatives related to the Assurance strategy.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong English-writing skills

PowerPoint skills

Organizational skills

Structured thinking

Data research and analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Support the Africa Assurance Leader and the leadership team in the implementation of the Global and Africa Assurance strategy, providing multi-level assistance in the execution of all aspects of our “All in” Strategy.

The Strategic Projects Manager will gain exposure to all levels of the business, acting as a shadow to the Africa Assurance Leader in many cases, and dealing with senior leaders in order to execute multiple projects. They will be privy to strategic elements of the African Assurance business and will experience leadership decision making processes first hand. The role provides a talented person with exceptional opportunities for mentorship and coaching in leadership and networking skills, allowing them a diverse range of experiences.

The role presents an outstanding opportunity for personal development, offering the chance to gain frequent exposure to strategic discussion making and projects, running of the Assurance business, and insight by senior leaders of the business.

Essential functions of the job

• Responsible for all Assurance engagement on behalf of the Africa Assurance leader, including: communications, meetings, dinners, etc. This includes preparation of all materials, events and engagement activities.
• Responsible for working closely with the Internal Communications function to ensure all messaging aligns with strategic and leadership objectives and monitor quality of messages from the Africa Assurance leader to the Assurance business.
• Draft all confidential communications on behalf of the Africa Assurance Leader.
• Ensure all outputs from projects managed are of an excellent quality and consider change management implications of projects implemented.
• Develop a strong network across all levels of staff within the Assurance business.
• Work closely with the Africa Assurance Leader and leadership team to develop and implement the Global, Africa Assurance strategy.
• Identify and implement initiatives and projects relating to all parts of the Assurance strategy in a way that supports our key strategic objective of Shaping the future with Confidence.
• Project manage and offer operational and strategic support to the Africa Assurance Leader and leadership team on all Africa Assurance key priorities and initiatives on a project-by-project basis.
• Ensure management information is accessible and ensure its timely availability for reports/presentations.
• Arrange and coordinate Assurance leadership meetings and strategy sessions, including setting agendas, production of inputs, producing minutes and follow up actions from all meetings.
• Assist with the coordination of all meetings taking place in Africa by visiting Global / Super region Assurance delegates.

General

• Become involved in adhoc additional projects as required by the Africa Assurance Leader.
• Write presentations and reports for the Africa Assurance leader and leadership when required.

Problem solving / decision making

Demonstrates ability to resolve both routine and non-routine challenges. Works both independently and within the Assurance leadership teams to get results. Work is reviewed on established goals based on individual scorecards.

Skills

The diversity of the role, complexity of the professional environment and strategic nature of the assignments involved, require that the person:

• Has excellent interpersonal skills, both for team and one-on-one work.
• Has extremely strong English-writing and PowerPoint skills.
• Has the ability to build relationships at senior levels and to engender credibility in a short time frame.
• Is highly organised with a practical and intellectual approach to problem solving.
• Be competent in understanding issues and have the confidence to deal with them without excessive intervention from leadership.
• Must be able to apply structured thinking and communication, data research and analysis, project management, report and presentation writing, facilitation skills.
• Accurate and timely packaging and presentation of information, issues and management information.
• Confidence to challenge others as well as be challenged by senior partners.
• Ability to exercise absolute confidentiality and discretion.

Supervision responsibilities

• Will work daily with and be counselled by the Africa Assurance Leader. Will also be of support to the Africa Assurance COO and Africa Assurance Clients and Industries Leader as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience, previous project management experience is an advantage

Working hours

• Flexibility concerning working hours is required.

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