Executive Assistant

University of Lancashire; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Employee benefits platform

Online GP access

Job summary

The University of Lancashire in Preston is seeking an Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. You will provide confidential executive support, manage diaries, arrange travel, oversee expenses, draft correspondence, and coordinate meetings with agendas.

You will work closely with other EAs, prioritise a varied workload, maintain a professional image, and handle sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy. Flexible hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification such as A Levels or BTEC, or equivalent experiential learning.
• Experience handling confidential information with discretion and diplomacy.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to prioritise a varied workload.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional executive support to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
• Manage diaries, organise travel and itineraries, and handle financial administration.
• Draft correspondence, prioritise emails and prepare meeting agendas.
• Coordinate and service meetings, including dissemination of agendas in a timely manner.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion and diplomacy

Confidential handling

Education

Level 3 qualification (A Levels or BTEC)

Job description

When you work for the University of Lancashire, you’ll be part of a thriving community of talent that’s united in a common commitment to transform lives. We do this by delivering an outstanding educational experience and creating prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve. Whatever your role, you’ll be playing a vital part in helping us achieve our vision.

About the role:

A vacancy has arisen for an Executive Assistant to join the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.

You will provide a professional and confidential executive support service and work collaboratively with other Executive Assistants in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to ensure a seamless support service to the Vice-Chancellor’s Group.

This opportunity will allow you to play a key role in supporting the achievement of the strategic objectives of the University and develop extensive knowledge of its activities and key internal and external stakeholders. You will be required to provide high level administrative services including diary management, organising travel and supporting itineraries, managing financial administration and expenses, drafting correspondence, prioritising emails, undertaking background research and analysis, and the management and servicing of meetings, including the preparation and dissemination of agendas in a timely and appropriate manner.

This is an excellent opportunity to experience work at this level and to be successful in the role the right candidate will have the ability to work under pressure and have experience of managing a varied and demanding workload. You will be able to utilise initiative in prioritising, fielding and responding to queries, communicate diplomatically with, and act as the initial point of contact for, internal and external contacts, ensuring a professional image is maintained at all times.

About you:

Candidates will hold a Level 3 qualification, such as A Levels or BTEC, or appropriate equivalent experiential learning. You will have strong communication skills and a track record of dealing with confidential and sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Carolyn Johnson, Executive Officer.

About the Vice-Chancellor’s Office:

The Vice Chancellor is responsible for the leadership and management of the University and is supported by the Vice-Chancellor's Group, which includes the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations), Chief Officers and Pro Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellor's Group lead the University and are responsible for ensuring we fulfil our mission and values. As a leadership team they have clear responsibilities to drive improvement and growth around our key objectives of student recruitment and experience, financial stability and a continued focus on our people. The Vice-Chancellor’s Office is managed by the Executive Officer. The Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor’s Group are supported by Executive Assistants.

This position is based on campus, in Preston. You have the opportunity to work from home one day each week on a rota basis which may be subject to change.

Use of AI in applications:

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience and the written elements of your application should accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience.

What we can offer you:

We have a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform which includes a 24/7 online GP.

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives.

About us:

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our Safeguarding page.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, the University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.