Executive Assistant

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

Job summary

A local government authority in Reading is seeking an Executive Assistant to manage schedules for senior leaders, provide meeting support, and improve collaborative processes. Ideal candidates are highly organized, possess excellent interpersonal skills, and thrive in a dynamic environment. This role offers a competitive salary and various benefits, including flexible working opportunities and a supportive professional development environment.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex diaries for senior leaders.
• Ability to assess and triage incoming requests effectively.
• Engagement with digital tools for process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support senior leaders by managing their schedules and priorities.
• Provide secretariat support for key meetings.
• Collaborate across teams to enhance working practices.

Skills

Highly organised and thrives on solving problems

Excellent interpersonal skills

Tech-savvy

Able to work independently and collaboratively

Job description

Overview

Directorate of Resources

Are you a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment? Do you enjoy working collaboratively while also taking initiative and thinking on your feet? If you're an adaptable team player with a talent for managing complex calendars and juggling priorities, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

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.

Values and behaviours

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

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you will get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities such as working from home
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing date: Sunday 12th October 2025

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