Professional Assistant

Discovery Health

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANT

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 to achieve financial success and ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

Key Purpose of the role

Reporting directly to the KZN Regional General Manager, the Professional Assistant is a senior executive support partner responsible for enabling leadership effectiveness through proactive calendar and priority management, high-quality coordination of executive routines, strong stakeholder engagement, disciplined follow-through, and trusted handling of confidential matters. The role requires sound judgment, anticipation of business needs, and the ability to operate with independence in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

• Act as a trusted gatekeeper for the RGM’s time, priorities, communications, and leadership rhythm.
• Manage complex diaries, meetings, travel, events, and executive logistics with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Support leadership decision-making through the preparation of high-quality documents, reports, presentations, meeting packs, and action trackers.
• Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, professionalism, and timely execution of key priorities.
• Exercise discretion, judgment, and business acumen in managing sensitive information, resolving issues, and escalating matters appropriately.
• Provide disciplined support to projects, governance routines, budget administration, and office coordination to ensure smooth regional operations.

Work Model:

This role is office based and aligned to the working pattern of the Regional General Manager, given the need for close day-to-day coordination, in-person executive support, and responsiveness to operational and leadership requirements.

The office-based nature of the role supports real-time diary and meeting management, immediate issue resolution, in-person stakeholder engagement, coordination of visitors and events, confidential executive support, and seamless alignment to the pace and priorities of the Regional General Manager and broader leadership team.

Key Outputs

The successful applicant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following job functions:

• Proactive management of their own and the RGM’s diary and email, including the ability to prioritize and recognize upcoming requirements and conflicts and resolve them.
• Document and PowerPoint work is required.
• Office management and preparation of venues for meetings.
• Managing and delivering tasks from inception to completion within deadlines.
• Providing general ad-hoc support, including personal requirements such as organizing coffees.
• Working independently but open to direction when necessary.
• Supporting the management team with query resolution, which requires following up on tasks.
• Supporting the RGM in terms of following up on outstanding items.
• Ability to consolidate information from multiple sources into written reports.
• Coordinating events, roadshows, conferences, Performance Excellence Awards, year-end functions, client tours, reviews, and showcases.
• Preparation for meetings, such as preparing venues, technology setups, and assisting external guests.
• Taking minutes of meetings and accurate actions where appropriate and following up on outstanding actions prior to meetings.
• Travel arrangements.
• Diary and email management.
• Scheduling meetings with all stakeholders.
• Reimbursements.
• Office administration (e.g., digital document management, invoicing, typing of letters, etc.).
• Ability to treat everything as highly confidential.
• Ordering stationery for the team.
• Personal support to the RGM.
• Assisting with the formulation of presentations and documentation.
• Supporting the management of virtual staff and virtual office rotational calendars and bookings.
• Budget management (managing expenses and accruals monthly) and supporting the annual budget process.
• Credit card submissions and reconciliations.

Competencies and Skills

The following competencies are required to be successful in the role:

• Exceptional planning, organising, and prioritisation skills in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong executive judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive matters with maturity and professionalism.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage professionally at all levels of the organisation.
• Proactive, self-directed working style with the ability to anticipate needs and act ahead of deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder management capability, including diplomacy, influence, and relationship-building across diverse teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to consistently high-quality output.
• Ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, and remain composed under pressure.
• Problem-solving capability and a practical, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong business acumen and awareness of the operational context, priorities, and sensitivities of the business unit.
• Advanced digital fluency, including the ability to produce professional PowerPoint presentations, manage reporting in Excel, and work effectively across collaboration platforms.
• Reliable follow-through, accountability, and a strong sense of ownership for outcomes.
• Credibility, trustworthiness, and personal integrity.

Qualification and experience

• Matric is essential; relevant tertiary education or a recognised business administration / office management qualification will be advantageous.
• Proven track record of high performance and trusted support in a complex, fast-paced business environment.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in a Professional Assistant, Executive Assistant, or senior business support role, with substantial experience supporting senior leaders.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex diaries, executive communications, travel, meeting governance, reporting, and stakeholder coordination with minimal supervision.
• Advanced proficiency in the latest Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, with the ability to create polished executive material and manage reporting accurately.
• Experience in budget administration, invoice processing, reconciliations, and office coordination will be advantageous.
• Experience within financial services or another highly regulated, service-driven environment will be regarded preferentially.
• Own transport and a valid driver’s license.

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.