Executive Assistant - Programs, Strategy & Business Development at Bridgemead Consulting

Role Context and Purpose

• The Executive Assistant – Program, Strategy & Business Development is a high-trust, senior role functioning at the level of a Program Manager / Strategic Advisor to a prominent business leader with interests spanning business, development, and institutional engagement.
• This role is designed for an exceptional individual who can operate as a strategic extension of the Executive, thinking critically, representing interests thoughtfully, and helping translate vision into viable frameworks, programs, and growth opportunities. While part of the role involves supporting a high-level civic and economic initiative connected to heritage-led economic development, this represents only one stream of a broader mandate.
• The Executive Assistant will also play a critical role in strategy formulation, business development support and executive decision support across the Executive’s wider portfolio.
• This is not a conventional EA role. It requires sound judgment, strategic intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and the confidence to engage credibly in senior, complex environments.

Expanded Key Responsibilities
Framework Development & Heritage-Led Strategy:

• Strategic Framework Design: Support the Executive in designing and articulating frameworks that translate vision into economically viable, institutionally sound programs and initiatives, including initiatives tied to heritage-led economic development.
• Program Architecture & Execution: Co-develop structured programs that link economic relevance, cultural heritage and stakeholder value creation, while tracking milestones, deliverables, and action points to ensure momentum, and accountability.
• Heritage-Led Economic Strategy: Assist in developing models that generate tangible economic impact through heritage, identity, and institutional influence, including strategies for sustainability and long-term relevance.
• Strategic Documentation: Prepare concept notes, strategy papers, briefing documents, talking points, and executive summaries to support executive decision-making and program implementation.

Branding, Identity & Strategic Positioning:

• Visual & Strategic Identity: Work closely with the Executive to define the overarching look, tone, and narrative of initiatives and institutions. Brand Asset Development: Coordinate the creation of logos, visual assets, and positioning frameworks in collaboration with designers and partners.
• Messaging & Quality Oversight: Ensure consistency, credibility, and cultural sensitivity across all outward-facing communications and materials.

Stakeholder Engagement & High-Level Coordination:

• Senior-Level Engagement: Engage with senior stakeholders, traditional authorities, professionals, partners, and advisors with diplomacy and clarity.
• Meeting Participation: Attend high-level meetings, accurately document discussions, resolutions, and action points, and drive structured follow-up.
• Protocol & Sensitivity Management: Navigate political, cultural, and institutional dynamics with discretion and emotional intelligence.
• Alignment & Consensus Building: Support alignment across diverse interests while protecting institutional credibility and the Executive’s position.

Strategy & Business Development Support

• Strategic Opportunity Identification: Support the Executive in identifying new opportunities, partnerships, and initiatives aligned with long-term goals.
• Business Development Enablement: Assist with market intelligence, partner research, pitch materials, and strategic positioning.
• Strategic Trend Analysis: Monitor emerging trends, opportunities, and threats across sectors relevant to business and other initiatives. Translate trends into actionable insights or recommendations for the Executive.
• Cross-Portfolio Thinking: Apply strategic thinking across the Executive’s diverse business and non-commercial engagements.

Executive Support & Trusted Advisory

• Strategic Thought Partnership: Act as a thinking partner, helping refine ideas, test assumptions, and translate strategy into action.
• Representation & Judgment: Serve as a credible proxy for the Executive when required, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Confidentiality & Integrity: Handle sensitive information, relationships, and discussions with absolute professionalism.
• Institutional Memory: Maintain continuity, documentation, and context across engagements, programs, and initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political Science, History, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Communications, or any related field.
• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Strategy, Development Studies, History, or an MBA is a strong advantage.
• Additional training in program management, strategy, branding, governance, or institutional development is desirable.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, executive advisory, institutional development, or business development roles.
• Proven experience working closely with senior leaders or principals in complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design frameworks, programs, or initiatives from concept through execution.
• Experience in research, documentation, and high-level stakeholder engagement.
• Experience operating in culturally sensitive, politically nuanced, or high-stakes contexts is highly desirable.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong strategic thinking, program design, and execution capability.
• Excellent writing skills for briefs, strategy papers, and executive communications.
• Familiarity with branding, narrative development, and positioning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and project management tools (Asana, Notion, Trello, etc.).

Core Competencies & Soft Skills

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and integrity.
• Ability to think strategically while executing operationally.
• Comfort with ambiguity and evolving mandates.
• Calm, confident presence in senior-level settings.
• Highly organized, proactive, and dependable.
• Must be tech savvy.