Executive Assistant

Waddington Brown HR Recruitment; Essex; On-site; GBP 46,750 - 63,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 10% bonus

Excellent DC Pension scheme - matched

25 days holiday plus bank holidays - (

Private medical with BUPA

Medicash

Death in Service - 6x salary

Flexible working options

Job summary

Waddington Brown HR Recruitment is assisting a prestigious client in Harwich, Essex, to recruit an Executive Assistant to the CEO. This pivotal role supports the CEO, Board Chair, Non-Executive Directors and ELT, ensuring governance is delivered to the highest standards and enabling informed decision-making at the highest level.

You'll coordinate Board and Committee meetings, prepare papers and minutes, and manage a dynamic diary in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Significant Executive Assistant experience supporting a CEO or Executive Director.
• Strong Board and Committee administration experience.
• Excellent minute-taking and document management skills.
• Solid understanding of corporate governance and Board processes.
• Outstanding organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Confidence to work with senior executives, Board Chairs and Non-Executive Directors.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-level support to the CEO.
• Manage a complex and ever-changing diary and priorities.
• Coordinate Board and Committee meetings from planning through to follow-up.
• Prepare agendas, Board papers and meeting packs.
• Produce accurate, high-quality Board and Executive minutes.
• Track actions and ensure decisions are progressed.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Board governance

Minutes taking

Stakeholder management

Education

Experience supporting CEO/Executive Director

Board administration

Job description

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Location: Harwich

Salary: £55k plus excellent benefits

Be at the heart of executive leadership.

We are proud to be supporting our valued client who is looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant to become the trusted right hand to their recently appointed Chief Executive Officer while leading the coordination of Board and Executive governance across the organisation.

This is far more than a traditional Executive Assistant role. You'll play a pivotal part in supporting the CEO, Board Chair, Non-Executive Directors and Executive Leadership Team, ensuring governance is delivered to the highest standards and enabling informed, effective decision‑making at the very highest level.

If you're an experienced Executive Assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment and enjoys balancing strategic executive support with Board governance, we'd love to hear from you.

The opportunity

Working at the heart of the organisation, you'll become a trusted adviser and organiser, anticipating the CEO's needs, managing competing priorities and ensuring Board activity runs seamlessly.

You'll take ownership of the planning and delivery of Board and Committee meetings, coordinating agendas, papers, minutes and actions while maintaining excellent governance standards.

This is an opportunity to build strong relationships with senior leaders, Non-Executive Directors and external stakeholders, making a genuine contribution to organisational success.

In addition to a competitive salary of £55k, the benefits include:

• Up to 10% bonus
• Excellent DC Pension scheme - matched 3x plus 0.26% up to 15.26% (e.g. EE 5%, ER 15.26%)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays - with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days each year
• Private medical with BUPA (including Dental) - with the option to add a partner/family member for a supplement
• Medicash - covering dental, eye care and much more
• Death in Service - 6x salary
• Flexible working options

What you'll be doing as the Executive Assistant

• Provide proactive, high‑level support to the CEO.
• Manage a complex and ever‑changing diary and priorities.
• Coordinate Board and Committee meetings from planning through to follow‑up.
• Prepare agendas, Board papers and meeting packs.
• Produce accurate, high‑quality Board and Executive minutes.
• Track actions and ensure decisions are progressed.
• Support the CEO in preparing for Board meetings, Executive meetings and external engagements.
• Build trusted relationships with Board members, Executive Leaders and key external stakeholders.
• Help maintain excellent governance, compliance and Board effectiveness.
• Coordinate with external governance advisers and Company Secretariat support.
• Draft professional correspondence, reports and executive briefings.

About you

You'll already have experience supporting senior executives within a complex organisation and be comfortable operating with autonomy, discretion and sound judgement.

You'll bring:

• Significant Executive Assistant experience supporting a CEO or Executive Director.
• Strong Board and Committee administration experience.
• Excellent minute‑taking and document management skills.
• A solid understanding of corporate governance and Board processes.
• Outstanding organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• The confidence to work with senior executives, Board Chairs and Non‑Executive Directors.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.

Why join this fantastic organisation?

This is an opportunity to join a successful and growing organisation where your contribution will be highly visible and genuinely valued.

You'll work alongside senior leaders, helping to influence how Executive and Board business is delivered and play an integral role in supporting effective governance and strategic decision‑making.

If you're looking for a challenging, varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

Interviews will take place throughout August with the final interview planned for 2nd September 2026.