Discovery Health: Global Health Solutions
Executive Associate
About Discovery
Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.
About The Discovery Health - Global Team
Discovery Health Global Health Solutions is part of Discovery Health and focuses on providing health insurance, assistance services, and health administration solutions. The team mainly supports African clients, offering healthcare cover across Africa as well as services for clients who need care while travelling or living abroad.
The business is in a period of transition from the merging of 2 entities (an insurance entity and an administration entity) to an established business which leverages the world leading capabilities and expertise in Discovery Health and delivers that in less structured health market environments.
Job Purpose
The Executive Associate to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Discovery Health Global Health Solution is a senior, business critical role that acts as a strategic and operational extension of the CEO.
The role exists to amplify the impact of the CEO, ensure the effective running of the CEO’s office, and drive complex, high visibility initiatives across Discovery Health’s Global Health Solutions business. This role blends executive governance, strategic administration, and hands on leadership of cross functional projects that require direct CEO and Executive oversight.
The Discovery Executive Associate programme is renowned for providing a unique opportunity for the best EE talent to enjoy accelerated growth and development through working with and exposure to Discovery’s most senior leaders.
Due to the startup-nature of the business, the role requires someone who is comfortable operating in ambiguity, building structure where needed, and improving processes iteratively while delivering reliably.
Key Outputs
If you have an entrepreneurial mind-set, are hungry for growth, appreciate calculated risks and can assume responsibility for bringing strategic projects to life, then this role will liberate you to realize your full potential.
As an Executive Associate to the Chief Executive Officer your core accountabilities will be:
1. Strategic Administration & Governance Leadership
- Own the smooth, disciplined running of the CEO office, ensuring focus, cadence, and follow‑through across competing priorities.
- End‑to‑end responsibility for governance forums relating to Discovery Health Global Health Solutions team (Exco, SteerCos, Board committees), including:
- Agenda design
- Board‑quality packs and collation of pre-reads
- Minutes, matters arising, and action tracking
- Act as the primary integrator between the CEO, DHG Executives, leaders in various cross-functional teams.
- Ensure timely, decision‑ready submissions of Board and Exco documentation, with strong strategic narrative, execution clarity, and risk articulation.
- Operate as a trusted filter, sounding board, and challenger to the CEO.
2. Strategic Cross‑Functional Programmes
- Lead and run large‑scale, high‑impact strategic initiatives that span multiple functions and business areas.
- Own initiatives that require direct CEO, or Exco engagement.
- Preparation of proposals for strategic partnerships and new business opportunities for both external and internal distribution.
- Translate strategy into execution through:
- clear problem framing
- integrated workplans
- dependency and risk management
- executive‑level progress reporting
- Proactively unblock bottlenecks, resolve trade‑offs, and course‑correct to protect outcomes.
3. Strategy, Insight & Executive Decision Support
- Partner with the CEO and Executives to shape:
- growth strategy and emerging opportunities for the portfolio
- required investments (capex, resources, including trade‑offs)
- strategic priorities
- Lead or commission detailed research and targeted analysis to support executive and Board decision‑making
- Collate, analyze and draw insights on business performance for the DHG area
- Prepare Exco- and Board‑quality presentations, speeches, and strategic narratives.
4. Thought Leadership, Communications & External Profile Support
- Support and shape the CEO’s internal and external thought‑leadership presence, including:
- Keynote presentations
- Industry and partner forums
Personal Attributes and Skills
Discovery’s Executive Associates must be exceptional. They must demonstrate:
- Exceptional strategic judgment, analytical capability, and commercial acumen
- Strong executive presence with ability to influence and challenge at C‑suite level
- Comfort operating in high ambiguity and pace
- Ability to move seamlessly between big‑picture strategy and execution detail
- Outstanding written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- High levels of discretion, resilience, and personal integrity
- Ability to work effectively and deliver within a complex matrix organisation
- Exceptional analytical, problem solving and research skills
- A passion for personal development and growth with high learning potential
Education and Experience
- Relevant degree/s at post graduate level or higher, with a strong analytical or business focus.
- 5-8 years experience in top tier consulting, corporate strategy or senior cross-functional programme leadership roles
- Extensive business and/or technical experience with a proven track record of innovation, entrepreneurship, delivery and performance.
- Prior health, financial services, or regulated industry experience (advantageous)
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.