Job description

Job Summary

The Personal Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Wholesale Risk and Banking (WRB) across UAE and EMEA serves as a pivotal partner providing comprehensive executive, administrative, and operational support. This role is instrumental in facilitating the seamless operation of the COO’s office, ensuring leadership engagements, stakeholder communications, governance processes, travel arrangements and event coordination are managed efficiently.

Working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, the role demands exceptional organisational capabilities, discretion, excellent communication skills, and the capacity to prioritise and manage competing demands with confidence. The successful candidate will be proactive in anticipating needs, skilled at navigating complex governance landscapes, and adept at fostering strong internal and external relationships. A commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement through digital tools and innovative practices is essential.

This position offers significant exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to influence key decision-making processes within a global banking network, making it a career-enhancing opportunity for individuals driven by excellence and collaboration.

Executive Support and Diary Management

• Deliver seamless and anticipatory administrative support that empowers the COO to focus on strategic leadership and critical business priorities.
• Meticulously manage the COO's calendar, ensuring optimal time allocation for business imperatives including governance forums, regulatory interactions, and cross-functional leadership meetings.
• Skillfully balance and reconcile meeting requests, proactively resolving conflicts and enhancing time efficiency to safeguard high-priority activities.
• Maintain comprehensive forward planning vis-à-vis critical events, townhalls, regional holidays, and remote work schedules to ensure proactive stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate logistics such as venue bookings, technological set-up for virtual meetings, and support materials ensuring all interactions proceed flawlessly.
• Oversee the COO’s inbox with discretion, applying judicious prioritisation, tracking vital correspondence, drafting responses when appropriate, and flagging urgent matters promptly.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, data protection, and governance compliance across all executive communications and activities.

In addition to routine executive support, the role includes preparing documentation for high-level meetings, synthesising key insights, and supporting the COO in decision-making processes. The individual is expected to act as an ambassador for the office, facilitating effective collaboration across departments and external partners to promote operational cohesion. Furthermore, this position demands a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving, continuous process enhancement, and active participation in governance forums to sustain transparency and alignment with organizational objectives.

The role extends to managing comprehensive travel arrangements, encompassing itinerary planning, liaising with travel vendors, and ensuring compliance with corporate travel policies. Organising events ranging from small leadership meetings to large-scale conferences is a key duty, requiring excellent project management skills. The incumbent will also oversee budgetary considerations for these activities, collaborating closely with finance teams to ensure cost-effectiveness and timely processing.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Exceptional communication skills with ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally in written and verbal formats.
• Proven expertise in managing executive calendars, prioritising workload and optimising time management with proficiency in Microsoft Outlook.
• Strong organisational skills with keen attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently under pressure.
• Well-developed stakeholder management experience, capable of working diplomatically with senior executives and cross-functional teams across diverse cultures.
• Experienced in coordinating governance activities, board meetings, and compliance documentation within regulated environments.
• Competent in travel and event coordination, understanding corporate policies and vendor management requirements.
• Excellent judgement and discretion when handling confidential material and sensitive business information.
• Fluency in English, with additional language skills such as Arabic viewed as an asset.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and collaboration tools such as Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and emerging productivity platforms like Copilot.
• Demonstrated capacity for continuous process improvement, automation adoption, and enhancing administrative efficiencies.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, diploma or an equivalent qualification relevant to administrative or business support functions. Prior experience in executive assistance, coordination, or customer service is highly advantageous. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive is essential. Strong written and spoken English communication skills are required, with Arabic language capabilities considered a valued asset. The successful applicant will demonstrate exceptional organisational skills, ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, and maintain confidentiality in a dynamic work setting. Experience managing relationships with diverse stakeholders and demonstrating attention to detail are crucial components for success in this role.

Standard Chartered is a leading international bank committed to driving commerce and prosperity through its unique diversity. With over 170 years of experience, we strive to positively impact our clients, communities, and colleagues by challenging the status quo and continuously seeking innovative opportunities. We foster an inclusive and supportive culture that celebrates individual talents and encourages collaboration and growth across all levels.

At Standard Chartered, our purpose is to be here for good – to make a lasting difference through responsible banking practices grounded in integrity, respect, and diversity. We believe in doing the right thing, pushing boundaries to improve, and working together with empathy and transparency to achieve sustainable success.

• Do the right thing by acting with integrity and putting clients at the core of our decisions;
• Never settle by embracing continuous learning and innovation;
• Are better together by fostering inclusivity and collaboration in everything we do.

What We Offer

In alignment with our Fair Pay Charter, we provide a competitive salary accompanied by a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being across mental, physical, financial, and social dimensions.

• Retirement savings and insurance: Core bank funding for retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance, with options for flexible and voluntary benefits available depending on location.
• Leave entitlements: Generous annual leave allowance, parental and maternity leave (up to 20 weeks), sabbatical opportunities (up to 12 months), volunteering leave (3 days annually), and comprehensive public holidays totaling a minimum of 30 days combined.
• Flexible working: Options to support work-life balance including hybridity between home and office based arrangements.
• Wellbeing programmes: Access to Unmind, a leading digital mental well-being platform, resilience development courses, global Employee Assistance Programme, mental health first-aiders, and diverse self-help resources.
• Continuous learning: A culture that empowers professional growth through upskilling, reskilling, and access to a broad range of physical, virtual, and digital learning modalities.
• Inclusive workplace: A values-driven environment embracing diversity and fostering respect where all colleagues can thrive and contribute fully.

Preferred candidate

Nationality

United Arab Emirates