About Watson

At Watson, we help Boards be more effective so they can positively shape the future of their organizations. In partnership with our clients, we are tailored and practical in helping recruit and select the right Directors and CEO, strengthen governance, and navigate strategy and risk in a rapidly changing world.

Founded in 2005, Watson is the most experienced board advisory firm in Canada. We are a fully independent Canadian Benefit Company that is female owned and led. Each year, we publish our benefit report, available on our website, demonstrating our commitment to operating responsibly with consideration for our interest holder groups.

Watson is guided by a strong set of core values:

• Purpose-driven We lead with purpose and impact
• Always learning We are open, curious, innovative and insightful
• Human-centred We take care with everything we do
• Authentic We are intentional, transparent and bold
• Collaborative We achieve more together

These values influence the workplace we create and the experience we offer to our people. We aim to:

• Attract and retain talent who deliver exceptional client experiences
• Foster a culture of learning, growth, and knowledge sharing
• Demonstrate care and empower others to act
• Embed diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in all we do

The Role

The Office Administrative Assistant (or Office Manager, depending on experience) plays a key role in the daily operations of the Watson team in our Vancouver office, located close to Cambie and Broadway. The role supports the seamless running of the office, allowing the broader team to focus on delivering exceptional client service. Based on the nature of the job, this role requires the successful applicant to be in the office full-time.

This is a highly visible position that requires someone who thrives on being organized, resourceful, collaborative, and anticipatory in their approach. A strong technical skillset (particularly in Microsoft Office and CRM platforms) is essential. The successful candidate communicates proactively, manages competing priorities with calm efficiency, and upholds a high level of professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Front Office and Guest Experience

• Greet and assist clients, candidates, and other guests to ensure a welcoming and professional first impression
• Manage meeting rooms, including scheduling, setup, and cleanup
• Organize catering and manage hospitality for in-office events and meetings

Office Administration and Operations

• Monitor and replenish general office supplies and grocery items (snacks, coffee, etc.)
• Participate on the Joint Health and Safety Committee, driving the agenda, taking minutes, and helping drive forward action items including testing of equipment and emergency drills
• Support internal and external event planning, including invitations, travel arrangements, event logistics, catering, etc.
• Other administrative duties as required

Finance and Data Management

• Assist the Controller with invoicing, managing credit card expenses and receipts, and depositing cheques
• Support the systems lead periodically with projects to support data hygiene and records management and retention

Employee and Leadership Support

• Assist with new employee onboarding (equipment orders, systems training, etc.)
• Support the CEO, COO, and Partners with internal projects on an ad-hoc basis, as needed
• Help organize company-wide meetings, take minutes, and draft documentation or presentations as needed

Business Development and Client Management

• Direct inbound leads, including applicable background research to support qualification of leads
• Monitor procurement websites to identify opportunities potentially relevant to Watson
• Enter and maintain client and candidate data in CRM systems
• Provide extra capacity when needed for report formatting, proposal drafting, and scheduling, ensuring brand guidelines are followed

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Minimum two years of administrative experience, preferably in a fast-paced professional services or similar environment
• Post-secondary education preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) including formatting and preparing professional looking documents
• Familiarity any of the following software suites would be helpful: Salesforce, Qualtrics, Adobe Express
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to produce high-quality work with minimal oversight
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proven time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to collaborate effectively and influence positive outcomes in a team setting
• Natural curiosity and interest in governance, leadership, and organizational effectiveness
• Experience using generative AI responsibility to support efficiency and advancement of work would be considered an asset

We encourage candidates to apply if they believe they are a good fit for the role, even if their professional experience and formal education doesnt meet these exact requirements as we recognize that education and comparable experience may be obtained in other ways.

Desired Attributes

• Service-oriented mindset
• Professional and clear in all communications
• Proactively anticipates team and client needs to enable seamless experience
• Works well under pressure and adapts to changing priorities
• Offers creative input on how to improve processes and materials
• Balances multiple requests and responsibilities with tact and poise
• Demonstrates strong judgment and sound decision-making

Salary Range

The base salary range for this position is $52,500 $80,000 per year, depending on the successful applicants level of relevant experience and technical skills. In addition to base salary, this role offers a target annual bonus, three weeks of vacation, and extended health and dental benefits on hire. Watson is a certified living wage employer in B.C.

Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

Watson is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to innovative ideas and perspectives.

We are also committed to providing an accessible work environment for all individuals. Our hiring process and workplace practices are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of candidates and employees with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. We will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.