Execitove Assistant

Executive Assistant to CEO

Education Sector | £45,000–£50,000 | Temp-to-Perm Opportunity

Salary: £45,000–£50,000 per annum equivalent
Contract: Temporary for approximately 2–3 months, with a view to becoming permanent
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30am–5:00pm; Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm
Location: Predominantly office-based
Start: Ideally as soon as possible

Due to the nature of the environment, the successful applicant will be required to complete the appropriate DBS check as part of the recruitment process.

We are delighted to be recruiting for an experienced and highly capable Executive Assistant to provide first-class support to the CEO of a well-established and highly regarded organisation within the education sector.

This is far more than a traditional administrative role. Our client is looking for someone who can become a genuine right-hand person and trusted sounding board to the CEO – someone proactive, commercially aware and confident enough to anticipate needs, manage changing priorities and ensure the CEO’s day runs as smoothly and effectively as possible.

Initially offered as a 2–3 month temporary assignment, there is an opportunity for the position to become permanent following a successful temporary period.

The Role

Working closely with the CEO, your responsibilities will include:

Providing comprehensive day-to-day executive and administrative support
Acting as a trusted sounding board and right-hand person to the CEO
Managing a busy and changing diary, meetings and priorities
Monitoring and responding to emails, calls and communications on the CEO’s behalf where appropriate
Preparing for meetings, attending meetings and producing accurate minutes and actions
Ensuring actions and projects are followed through efficiently and within agreed timescales
Keeping abreast of relevant education-sector news, developments and updates
Supporting and coordinating projects and key business initiatives
Liaising confidently with senior stakeholders, colleagues and external contacts
Meeting and greeting visitors and representing the CEO professionally
Attending occasional events and meetings
Anticipating requirements, identifying priorities and proactively resolving issues
About You

We are looking for an experienced Executive Assistant who is comfortable operating at senior level and enjoys being at the heart of a busy organisation.

You will ideally have:

Previous experience supporting a CEO, Director or senior leadership team
A background within education would be particularly advantageous
Alternatively, experience within a professional environment such as legal, banking, financial services or technology could transfer well
Exceptional organisation and diary-management skills
The confidence to manage competing and frequently changing priorities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong judgement, discretion and confidentiality
A proactive approach
PRINCE2 or a relevant project-management qualification would be advantageous
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to work in an impressive and highly regarded establishment, where you can build a trusted relationship with the CEO.

If you’re an accomplished EA who enjoys being one step ahead, taking ownership and becoming an integral part of a senior leader’s day, we’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy, advertised by SMT Recruitment (Smart10 Ltd), acting as an employment agency/business. Your application will be considered alongside others, and we will contact you within three working days if you are shortlisted.

SMT Recruitment is a multi-award-winning specialist recruitment consultancy providing temporary, contract, and permanent recruitment solutions across selected business sectors. To stay up to date with our latest opportunities, please visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn. Please refer to SMT’s Privacy Policy for details on how we manage your data
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed