Executive Assistant, Planning – 12-Month Maternity Cover

Bidwells; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension match

Holiday allowance

Birthday off

Wellness day

Sabbaticals

Private medical

Medicash plan

Lifestyle discounts

Professional development

Flexible working

Family leave

Work-life balance

Job summary

Bidwells is seeking a highly organised Executive Assistant to support the National Head of Planning and London Planning Lead for a 12-month contract in London. You will act as a trusted partner to two senior leaders, managing complex diaries, travel, and high‑level correspondence.

The role requires discretion, excellent communication, and the ability to juggle competing priorities. You will coordinate meetings, prepare materials, process expenses, support billing and client onboarding, and help

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive or Personal Assistant to senior leaders.
• Highly organised with strong prioritisation and time management.
• Confident managing multiple diaries and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commercially aware, supporting financial and client-related processes.
• Proactive, independent work style with discretion handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Proactive diary and inbox management for the Head of Planning and London Head of Planning.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including large project and client meetings.
• Arrange travel and itineraries, manage logistics.
• Draft correspondence, presentations, agendas, minutes and other documents.
• Process expenses, timesheets and maintain administrative records.
• Support billing, fee proposals tracking and client onboarding documentation.
• Act as a key contact for clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate team meetings, events and social activities.
• Support office hospitality and visitor management.
• Provide wider administrative support to ensure smooth running of the Planning team.

Skills

Executive Assistant

Diary management

Stakeholder management

Discretion

MS Office

Communication skills

Tools

Outlook

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Bidwells is seeking a highly organised Executive Assistant to support the National Head of Planning and London Planning Lead for a 12-month contract in London. You will act as a trusted partner to two senior leaders, managing complex diaries, travel, and high‑level correspondence.

The role requires discretion, excellent communication, and the ability to juggle competing priorities. You will coordinate meetings, prepare materials, process expenses, support billing and client onboarding, and help