Executive Assistant

Reading Borough Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is looking for an Executive Assistant to support senior leaders by managing schedules, prioritizing communications, and enhancing working practices. The ideal candidate is highly organized, tech-savvy, and capable of adapting to new tools quickly. This role offers an opportunity to play a key role in a dynamic team and contribute to the success of the council.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex diaries on behalf of others.
• Ability to assess and respond to shifting priorities with agility.

Responsibilities

• Manage senior leaders' schedules and priorities.
• Provide secretariat support for key meetings.
• Adopt digital tools to improve efficiency.

Skills

Highly organised

Excellent interpersonal skills

Tech-savvy

Problem-solving

Ability to evaluate situations quickly

Job description

Overview

Job Description

Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is the key to our success.

Directorate of Resources – Are you a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment? If you're an adaptable team player with a talent for managing complex calendars and juggling priorities, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, innovative and forward-thinking Executive Assistant team that delivers a service model that works closely with the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, and Senior Leadership Group. You’ll play a key role in helping senior leaders stay focused and productive by managing their time and priorities with precision and insight.

Duties & Responsibilities

Full duties and responsibilities for this role are in the attached Job Description. On appointment you will be assigned to members of SLG and deliver a level of EA support as appropriate with additional duties being covered as and when required.

• Supporting senior leaders by managing their schedules and priorities effectively
• Using initiative to assess and triage incoming requests and communications
• Providing secretariat support for key meetings
• Contributing to continuous improvement by adopting digital tools and streamlining processes
• Collaborating across teams to influence and enhance working practices

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Benefits / Our Offer

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
• Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance striving to be even better and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
• Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About You

You are confident working both independently and collaboratively, someone who learns quickly and adapts easily to new tools and processes and can assess and respond to shifting priorities with agility. You’ll bring experience in managing complex diaries on behalf of others, and you’re someone who thinks laterally—always looking for fresh ideas and smarter ways to improve how things are done.

• Highly organised and thrives on solving problems
• Can evaluate situations quickly and act decisively
• Has excellent interpersonal skills and handles sensitive matters with discretion
• Is tech-savvy and keen to find smarter ways of working
• Enjoys being part of a team that values trust, collaboration, and innovation

Closing and Interview

Closing date: Sunday 12 October 2025

Interview Date: 24 October 2025, in person at the Civic Offices (allow 90 mins)