Executive Assistant

The Abbey; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

Salary £35,000-£40,000 + benefits

Job summary

The Abbey in Manchester is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to the Managing Director. This role sits at the heart of a fast-growing design and construction business, working across commercial and residential projects nationally.

You will act as the MD’s right hand, manage his diary and inbox, coordinate meetings and travel, and contribute to client engagement and business development.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an EA/PA at MD/C-suite level.
• Excellent diary, inbox and time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to gatekeep, prioritise and exercise discretion with confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Managing Director's diary and inbox, prioritising meetings and protecting time.
• Prepare meeting agendas, briefing documents, notes and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate travel, expenses, suppliers and purchasing.
• Support recruitment and client meetings, and assist business development activities.
• Liaise with senior colleagues, clients, suppliers and external contacts.

Skills

Diary management

Inbox management

Executive support

Stakeholder management

Discretion

Job description

An ambitious, fast-growing design and construction business is looking for an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to its Managing Director. Working across commercial and residential projects nationally, the business is experiencing significant growth and has an exciting and expanding client base. This is a newly created role offering the opportunity to become a key part of the business and work closely with a dynamic, straight-talking MD.

The Role

This is not a traditional PA position. It is a high-trust Executive Assistant role for someone who can operate with autonomy, anticipate what their MD needs and take ownership of priorities across the business.

You will act as a genuine right hand to the Managing Director, managing his diary and inbox, protecting his time, driving actions forward and providing hands-on support across projects, clients and business development.

The role will suit an experienced EA or senior PA who is confident working at MD, Founder or C-suite level and enjoys working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where priorities can change quickly.

Key Responsibilities

• Complex diary management - prioritising meetings, managing competing demands and protecting the MD's time.
• Inbox management and gatekeeping - filtering emails, identifying priorities, drafting responses where appropriate and ensuring actions are followed up.
• Preparing meeting agendas, briefing documents, notes and follow-up actions.
• Maintaining visibility of actions, deadlines, KPIs and key business priorities, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
• Providing project and business support, helping the MD keep key initiatives moving forward.
• Coordinating travel, expenses, suppliers and purchasing.
• Supporting recruitment activity, including coordination of interviews and candidate communication.
• Supporting client meetings, presentations and business development activity.
• Acting as a trusted and professional point of contact for the MD, liaising with senior colleagues, clients, suppliers and external contacts.
• Providing a limited amount of personal support when required, although the role is predominantly focused on business and executive support.

About You

You will be an experienced Executive Assistant, Executive PA or Senior PA with previous experience supporting an MD, Managing Director, Founder or C-suite executive. You'll be confident, organised and commercially aware, with the ability to operate independently and make sensible decisions without needing constant direction.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Proven experience in a senior EA/PA role supporting at MD or C-suite level.
• Excellent diary, inbox and time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to gatekeep, challenge and prioritise on behalf of your executive.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to anticipate needs.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Discretion and sound judgement when dealing with confidential information.
• A confident and personable style when dealing with clients, senior stakeholders and colleagues.
• The ability to take ownership rather than simply wait for instructions.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-growth, purpose-led business operating at the forefront of sustainable design and construction. You'll work directly with the MD and have genuine visibility across the business, making this an ideal role for an EA who wants to be more than a diary manager and become a trusted business partner. No two days will be the same, and you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact as the company continues to grow.

Working pattern: Hybrid - 3-4 days per week in the office (5 days per week during training). Hours: 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm. Salary: £35,000-£40,000 + benefits.