Job Description

If you're a talented, dedicated professional who shares our values and is driven to make a difference in this challenging and rewarding role, we invite you to join our leadership team and Purcell community to help shape our future.
WELCOME TO PURCELL
World-Leading Architectural Heritage Practice
We are a community of innovators, thought leaders, and passionate individuals shaping the future of architectural heritage and design. Ranked in the World Architecture 100 for the 5th successive year, we're proud to be the leading experts in our field.
We prioritise our clients and their needs, we focus on their goals and foster open communication. Our skilled teams provide knowledge and expertise that result in exceptional experiences that exceed client expectations, ensuring long-term partnerships built on trust and satisfaction.
In May 2021, we became an Employee-Owned (EO) company. This pioneering step has added to the continual evolution of our business. With employees' sense of ownership comes enhanced engagement, innovation and the potential for a share in the rewards.
We're committed to a triple bottom line approach that prioritises people and planet as well as profits.
Our Mission: Reimagining Heritage for a Sustainable Future
Our Values: Respect: We treat each other with respect, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.
Team: We're stronger together, working collaboratively to achieve our goals.
Evolution: We're passionate about innovation and continuous learning, embracing change and new ideas.
Quality: We strive for excellence in all we do, delivering exceptional results and service.
Energy: We bring enthusiasm and passion to everything we do, inspiring others and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Join the Purcell Leadership Team as Executive Assistant & Company Secretary
We're seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking professional to play a critical role in shaping the future of Purcell. As our Company Secretary and Senior Executive Assistant, you'll be at the heart of our strategic development, driving the efficient operation of our Board of Directors and ensuring we stay ahead of the curve in governance and compliance.
Be Part of a Transformational Journey
This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the evolution of a Long established, dynamic and innovative company, with a clear vision. You'll work closely with our CEO, providing high-level support and advice to inform strategic decision-making and drive evolutionary development. Your expertise will be essential in maintaining the highest standards of governance, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and facilitating effective communication between the Board and all internal functions.
The Package
Location: Bermondsey Square, London
Reporting to: CEO
Salary: 60k- 80k (dependent on experience)
Benefits:

• Agile, flexible, and hybrid working
• Annual leave increasing with long service
• 4 x Salary Life assurance
• Study sponsorship
• Sabbaticals
• Employee assistance programme
• Season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Virtual GP service
• Professional membership fees
• Company day out
• Volunteering scheme
• Learning & development opportunities

RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Assistant to the CEO

• Manage highly active calendars of appointments, ensuring the CEO's schedule is organised and prioritised effectively.
• Arrange complex travel plans - booking travel, accommodation, itineraries, and agendas; collate document packs for meetings.
• Draft, review, and manage correspondence (including Outlook inbox), reports, and presentations on behalf of the CEO. Making sure response deadlines are met.
• Serve as a liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders (including clients), maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Lead and manage special projects as assigned by the CEO, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organisational goals.
• Conduct research and provide insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Follow Purcell document management policy for filing and retrieval of documents and records.

Supporting Our Governance

• Meeting preparation and arrangements
• Organise Board meetings and other Board related forums to support ongoing strategic development.
• Collate, prepare and share agendas, minutes and meeting information packs for Board meeting and other Board led Forums, including AGM, Chair / CEO sessions and Roadshows.
• Attend and minute meetings, publishing minutes on Purcell Connect (Intranet).
• Booking accommodation / meeting rooms where required.
• General administration & assistance with activities and actions arising from minutes.
• Support & assist the CEO / Chair / Board to monitor & deliver the Strategic Plan for Purcell:
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Chair, CEO & Board of directors
• Facilitating the production of Collective Ambition (Strategic Plan, shared with all staff)
• KPI Tracking / Reporting
• Collective Ambition Roadshow content, organising and planning - every 6 months.

General

• Advise the board on governance matters, including strategy, decision making, risk and compliance.
• Facilitate communication between the Board, Trustees, Operations, Senior Management, and Employees.
• Responsible for maintaining best practice in Corporate Governance, Risk, Assurance, GDPR and Architectural Regulation and legislative environment.

Company Secretarial Duties

• Maintaining statutory books, including registers of members and / or directors, minute books and share certificates.
• Facilitating signatures on legal documents.
• Preparing resolutions, forms and annual returns etc with Governing Corporate bodies (e.g. Companies House)
• Liaison with external regulators and advisers including lawyers and overseas corporate agents to maintain Corporate Legal & Governance compliance.

Corporate Transactions

• Project lead for corporate transactions, assignments, novation and associated due diligence.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience as an Executive Assistant.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a company secretarial role.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks.
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and experience of board level interaction and minute taking.
• Ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Attention to detail with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent computer literacy including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Teams.

Desirable:

• Ability to navigate Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign
• Knowledge of Employee Ownership
• Experience of the architectural, construction or property professions and business environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A professional qualification from The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (ICSA) or equivalent.
• Business Management Degree.

This job description is a guide to the duties the post holder will be expected to undertake. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive and will be subject to change as working requirements dictate and to meet the organisational requirements of Purcell.
Don't meet every single requirement? That's okay.
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented backgrounds can be less likely to apply unless they meet every criteria listed. At Purcell, we are committed to building an inclusive, transparent, and welcoming team. If you're enthusiastic about the role and excited to grow and learn with us, we warmly encourage you to apply.
When applying, please feel free to use your preferred name -- we don't require full or birth names at this stage.
We are proud to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and authenticity, where everyone can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.
Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback. If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of your original application, then you have been unsuccessful. Please continue to look at our vacancies and apply where relevant. We wish you all the best in your job search.

Skills Required