Executive Assistant to Chief Nursing Officer

NHS; Tooting; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Tooting is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Chief Nursing Officer. You will manage diaries, provide administrative support for meetings, and liaise with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience in an executive support role and strong proficiency in MS Office tools. This position offers benefits like 27 days of annual leave and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Continuous learning programs

Qualifications

• Experience as a Personal Assistant to senior management/Executive teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel and spend time away from base as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the diary of the CNO, handling clashes and last-minute requests.
• Provide administrative support for meetings, including planning and managing attendance.
• Liaise with external agencies and internally at executive and board level.

Skills

Diary management

Proficiency in MS Office

Understanding of governance

Communication skills

Education

NVQ 4 in a business subject or equivalent qualification

Educated to OCR (RSA) level II or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

OneNote

QPulse

Visio

Publisher

Job description

Overview

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) is looking for an Executive Assistant to our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to be based in Tooting, with hybrid working. The CNO has been in post since the creation of our Nursing Directorate in late 2023 and is shaping our Nursing strategy while serving as a board member.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage the diary of the CNO, dealing with clashes and last‑minute requests, ensuring appropriate cover for meetings and providing all relevant information.
• Provide administrative support for meetings within the Nursing Directorate and across NHSBT – arranging, planning, managing attendance, sending reminders, setting agendas, producing slide decks, taking minutes and monitoring actions.
• Understand good governance, handle sensitive information, support the Nursing Directorate Senior Leadership team, and undertake projects as required.
• Liaise with external agencies (e.g., other NHS organisations and government bodies) and internally at executive and board level.
• Support the Nursing Directorate SLT – diary management, drafting documents, booking travel, purchasing goods, and maintaining annual leave planners.

Qualifications

• NVQ 4 in a business subject or equivalent qualification OR equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience as a Personal Assistant to senior management/Executive teams.
• Educated to OCR (RSA) level II or equivalent.
• Willingness and ability to travel and spend time away from base as required.

Experience

• Previous experience working with Senior Management in an advanced secretarial or administrative post.
• Experience of complex and proactive diary management.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and specialised IT packages such as OneNote, QPulse, Visio, Publisher.
• Good knowledge of statutory directives: Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Equality and Diversity Directive.
• Ability to analyse and present a wide range of management information.
• Experience of managing agendas and taking minutes at Board or equivalent level meetings, including accurate transcription.

What We Offer

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role allows.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part‑time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme – defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns).
• A culture of continuous learning with the Thrive programme offering a wide range of development activities.

Application Details

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 29th October 2025. Interviews are anticipated on Friday 7th November 2025 subject to confirmation. For informal enquiries please contact Sophie Seymour, Head of Office – Nursing, [e-mail]. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship; please do not apply unless you have the right to work in the UK.

Employer

NHS Blood and Transplant – NHSBT, 75 Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, United Kingdom, SW17 0RB