Executive Assistant to Executive Director

University of East Anglia; Norwich; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days annual leave (pro rata)

Benefits package

Athena Swan Silver Award

Job summary

The University of East Anglia's Sainsbury Centre invites applications for an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director (0.6 FTE). You will provide comprehensive high‑level executive support, manage the Executive Director’s calendar, inbox, and meetings, and coordinate travel and papers.

The role requires discretion and tact in handling internal and external contacts. You should have a degree or equivalent, with proven EA experience in a pressurised environment.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or hold an equivalent qualification.
• Experience in a senior Executive Assistant role in a pressurised environment requiring tact, judgement and discretion.
• A strong interest in working within the arts, creative and cultural sectors would be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑level executive support to the Executive Director.
• Proactively organise the Executive Director’s schedule, inbox, minutes, and meetings.
• Organise team meetings, reports and papers, travel arrangements, meeting preparation and proofreading.
• Support the running of day‑to‑day activities of the Executive Director's schedule.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Minute taking

Travel arrangements

Proof-reading

Report preparation

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Executive Assistant to Executive Director (0.6 FTE)

Ref: SC5056

Salary on appointment will be £26,707 per annum (pro rata), with an annual increment up to £30,378 per annum (pro rata).

The Sainsbury Centre is a world‑class art museum with a unique perspective on how art can foster cultural dialogue and exchange, formally recognising the living lifeforce of art and enabling people to build relationships across an arts landscape.

Home to a global collection of artworks spanning 6,000 years of human imagination and creative power, our curators collaborate with artists to explore the most important questions people have in their lives such as What is Truth? and How Do We Find Love? It is not a museum to only learn more about artists, cultures or movements like Francis Bacon, the Tang Dynasty or Modernism, it is a place of experience, where collections are animate, and visitors are invited to form a personal relationship with art.

In 1973, Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury donated their world‑class art collection to the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. Trailblazing in their choice to display art from all around the globe and from all time periods equally and collectively, Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury created one of the most sought after yet non‑conformist art collections. The Sainsbury Centre is an international museum for everyone welcoming over 1 million visitors a year to enjoy its collection, housed in a modern architectural icon designed by Sir Norman Foster, and its sculpture park set in 350 acres of parkland. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2028.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director to join the Sainsbury Centre’s Directorate Team.

You will provide comprehensive high‑level executive support to the Executive Director exercising confidentiality, advice, tact, and diplomacy, supported by an understanding of the strategic narrative and priorities of the Centre. You will also proactively organise the Executive Director’s schedule and assist in running the day‑to‑day activities of their schedule, overseeing the inbox, minutes of meetings, organising team meetings, reports and papers, travel arrangements, meeting preparation and proof‑reading.

You must be educated to degree level or hold an equivalent qualification or have gained equivalent experience in a similar role. In addition, you will have demonstrable experience in a senior Executive Assistant role in a pressurised environment requiring tact, judgement, and discretion in handling internal and external contacts. A strong interest in working within the arts, creative and cultural sectors would be desirable and you should be able to fulfil all essential elements of the person specification.

This post immediately available on a part-time (0.6 FTE), indefinite basis.

Further information on our great benefits package, including 34 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays and additional University Customary days (pro rata for part‑time), can be found on our benefits page.

The University holds an Athena Swan Silver Institutional Award in recognition of our advancement towards gender equality.