Executive Associate To The Executive Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Department: Executive Office

Role Level: Executive / Junior Management

About the Role

House of Pope Limited is seeking a highly intelligent, proactive, resourceful and execution-focused Executive Associate to work directly with the Executive Director of a top-tier school and across multiple businesses, projects and strategic initiatives.

The Executive Associate will operate more like a junior executive, project associate, researcher and problem solver, helping the Executive Director turn ideas into action.

The successful candidate must be able to receive an idea, instruction or problem, understand the objective, conduct the necessary research, develop a practical approach and move the work forward with limited supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Strategic Support

• Work directly with the Executive Director on strategic initiatives, businesses and special projects.
• Research business opportunities, partnerships, funding opportunities, grants, programmes, markets and emerging trends.
• Research companies, organisations, individuals and markets ahead of meetings and business decisions.
• Develop briefs, background notes and decision-support materials for the Executive Director.
• Identify opportunities, risks and issues requiring executive attention.
• Support the Executive Director in developing and launching new projects and initiatives.

Research, Writing & Business Development

• Draft and develop proposals, concept notes, business plans, presentations, reports, letters, emails and other executive documents.
• Turn broad ideas into structured plans, actionable recommendations and clear next steps.
• Research and develop ideas assigned by the Executive Director.
• Support grant, partnership, tender, programme and opportunity applications.
• Prepare presentations and briefing materials for internal and external engagements.
• Review, edit and improve documents before they reach the Executive Director.

Project & Execution Management

• Coordinate special projects directly assigned by the Executive Director.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, deadlines and outstanding actions.
• Follow up with managers, employees, consultants, vendors, partners and other stakeholders.
• Ensure commitments and agreed actions are completed.
• Monitor projects and promptly escalate delays, risks or issues requiring intervention.
• Coordinate with different departments to obtain information required for executive decisions.
• Attend meetings where required and document decisions, actions, owners and deadlines.
• Follow through on meeting outcomes until completion.

Problem Solving & Initiative

• Take ownership of assignments from inception through completion.
• Anticipate what information, resources and people will be required to move an assignment forward.
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies and potential obstacles before they become problems.
• Develop practical solutions rather than simply reporting problems.
• Proactively suggest ideas that can improve, grow or create value for the businesses.
• Take responsibility for progressing work instead of repeatedly returning tasks to the Executive Director.

Technology, AI & Productivity

• Use AI tools, Microsoft 365, Teams, research platforms and digital productivity tools to improve the speed and quality of work.
• Use technology intelligently for research, analysis, writing, presentations, documentation and project tracking.
• Continuously identify better ways to execute recurring tasks and improve workflows.