Executive Assistant, HIRING PEOPLE

Guardian Jobs; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic organization in Portsmouth is seeking a proactive Executive Assistant to support directors across diverse business areas, including logistics and events. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational and communication skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Offering a salary of up to £40,000 and additional perks such as a pension scheme and staff discounts.

Benefits

Workplace pension scheme

Staff discounts on spirits

Free tickets to events

Death-in-service insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in an Executive Assistant or senior-level admin role.
• Excellent organisational skills with a proactive approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage directors' inboxes and ensure important emails are actioned.
• Arrange meetings and follow up on outstanding tasks.
• Assist with reports, presentations, and internal communications.

Skills

Organisational skills

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Discretion

Confidence with IT systems

Job description

We're looking for a highly organised and proactive Executive Assistant to work closely with both the Managing Director and the Commercial Director. This isn't a typical EA role - the businesses you'll support span logistics, storage, equipment, and spirits, so every day will be different. You'll be right at the centre of it all, helping keep things running smoothly, supporting projects, and making sure priorities don't slip through the cracks.

Key Responsibilities

• Keep on top of directors' inboxes - making sure important emails, quotations, and client follow-ups are actioned or highlighted.
• Manage busy calendars, balancing strategic meetings with the day-to-day demands of fast-moving businesses.
• Follow up on outstanding quotes and client conversations to make sure nothing is missed.
• Arrange and organise meetings, from preparing agendas and documents to booking rooms and refreshments.
• Take notes and capture actions in meetings, then follow up with the right people to keep momentum going.
• Assist with reports, presentations, and internal communications when required.
• Help with organising events across the group, whether that's a logistics project meeting or a spirits launch at the distillery.
• Arrange travel and accommodation when needed - trains, flights, parking, transfers, or hire cars.
• Look after expense reporting, manage receipts, and raise purchase orders as needed.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Lend a hand with occasional personal admin support to keep the directors' day-to-day running smoothly.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who thrives in a role where no two days are the same. You'll need to be organised, proactive, and confident juggling competing priorities. Strong communication skills are a must, as is the ability to build good relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners.

• Experience in an Executive Assistant or senior-level admin role
• Excellent organisational skills with a proactive approach
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good attention to detail, able to multitask and prioritise effectively
• Calm under pressure, able to adapt when things change quickly
• Discreet and professional, with the judgment to handle sensitive matters
• Confident with IT systems including email, calendars, Excel, and document creation
• Curious and interested in learning about different parts of the business

Cultural Fit

Our core values are more than just words - they shape how we work and how we support each other: Passion | Dependability | Accountability | Resourcefulness | Adaptability. We're looking for someone who shares these values and takes pride in being a reliable support to busy leaders, playing a key part in the growth and success of the group.

Salary & Package

We're offering a salary of up to £40,000 depending on experience, alongside a workplace pension scheme. You'll also enjoy staff discounts on spirits from both of our distilleries, free tickets to Portsmouth Distillery events, and death-in-service insurance. Most importantly, you'll be part of a close-knit team working across some really varied and exciting businesses.

This is a rare chance to step into a varied, fast-paced role at the heart of a group of ambitious businesses - from heavy lifting and logistics to spirits and events.