Business Unit: Discovery Central Services
Function: Personal Assistant/Secretary
Date: 29 Jul 2025
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 Corporate Shared Services
As a trusted business partner, we deliver centralised and co-ordinated fit-for-purpose business solutions that elevate performance and the employee experience.
We unlock strategic value and accelerate transformation by empowering smarter, faster, and more connected ways of working.
Key Purpose
The Professional Assistant will be a dynamic and proactive team player, providing high-level administrative support to the Chief Operating Officer and assisting the broader Senior Leadership Team. This role demands exceptional organizational and communication skills, with a strong focus on detail, coordination, and strategic partnership to ensure the efficient execution of responsibilities. This individual must always project a professional demeanour and exhibit great discretion and integrity.
Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to
Administrative
- Act as the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the COO.
- Co-ordinate internal and external meetings and evaluate venues.
- Responsible for creating well organised, error free and professional documents, including agendas, meeting packs and minutes.
- Collecting and returning visitors to the reception area.
- Continuously build and maintain professional relationships with internal and external clients if required.
- Handle correspondence, emails, and calls with discretion and professionalism.
- Manage and optimize the COO’s calendar, including scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel.
- Assist with the coordination and tracking of strategic projects and initiatives led by the COO.
- Draft, proofread, and manage confidential documents, reports, and presentations.
- Update organogram monthly to ensure budget and headcount is correct.
- General administration duties as required of the role.
- Provide ongoing and professional support to Management team within the area.
Office Management
- Order cost centre supplies: Stationery, envelopes, PC's, furniture, flowers.
- Updating payroll input and handing in monthly payroll submissions by cut-off.
- Logging of TI & Group Facilities calls.
- Handling any office movements by meeting with space planning and mapping out a plan.
- Co-ordination of functions and events to ensure staff engagement.
- Liaising with procurement for any invoices or purchases from preferred suppliers
- Budget monitoring and planning. Adherence to strict deadlines
- Procurement for cost centre, place order with supplier, arrange for order number to be generated, arrange approval, receipt of original invoice, and send to finance for payment.
- Handle general payment queries from suppliers.
- Payroll checks, Staff reimbursements and Incentives
- Collate payroll related documents.
- Annual increase-file and management incentive file submission
Ad hoc
- The person in this role will handle Ad hoc functions and projects which is not limited to the above.
- The person would support the Head of People, as well as service other managers.
Personal Attributes and Skills
- Upholds ethics and values and demonstrates integrity.
- High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances, proactive nature, constantly thinking ahead.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally.
- Emotional maturity, with an ability to empathize with both colleagues and clients.
- Relates well to people at all levels and backgrounds.
- Ability to handle multiple deadlines with excellent time management and prioritization.
- Takes initiative and works under own direction.
- Works in a systematic, methodical, and orderly way
- Works productively in a pressurized environment.
- Demonstrates trustworthiness, discretion, and personal integrity, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours if required.
Education and Experience
Essential requirements:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience providing PA support to senior management
- Matric Qualification
- Ability to type speedily and accurately.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, with strong comprehension skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration tools (e.g. Teams, Zoom, OneDrive)
The following are advantageous requirements:
- Secretarial Diploma
- Admin or Business Management Degree
- Project Management
- Visio
- Discovery experience
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.
Report job
