Executive Assistant to Head of School

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Usher Institute at The University of Edinburgh is seeking an Executive Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to its Director. This full-time and open-ended position offers a competitive salary range and the possibility for hybrid working. As an integral part of the team, you will manage essential processes and contribute to a vibrant academic environment focused on improving public health through collaborative research.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Relevant previous experience in a similar role.
• High level of competence with Microsoft Office, email and the Internet.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative support to the Director of the Usher Institute.
• Manage and implement processes for efficient running of the Director’s Office.
• Demonstrate attention to detail in all administrative tasks.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Flexibility

Initiative

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Grade UE06: £34,132 - £39,355 per annum

CMVM / MGPHS / USHER Institute / Edinburgh Bioquarter

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended (permanent)

We will also consider requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular (weekly) on-campus working.

Previous applicants need not apply.

The Usher Institute is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to provide complex and high-level administrative service to the Director of the Usher Institute.

The Opportunity

The post holder will undertake, manage and implement a range of processes to facilitate the efficient implementation and management of processes and procedures to ensure the smooth and effective running of the Director’s Office. This is a key post and the work demands close attention to detail, the ability to prioritise tasks, identify and achieve deadlines and use good judgement and initiative.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Vivien Smith, Director of Professional Services ([e-mail]).

Your Skills And Attributes For Success

• Have relevant previous experience in a similar role.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to use initiative.
• Meet tight deadlines and show flexibility are also essential to the role.
• High level of competence with Microsoft Office, email and the Internet is crucial.
  
  

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab) .

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 14th July 2025.

Application Information

Please include your CV and a supporting statement with details of how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for this post.

Non-University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. external applicants) – please refer to the How to Apply – External Candidate system user guide

Current University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. internal applicants) interested in applying for this role – you must apply as an internal applicant through the People and Money Current Jobs tile. Please refer to the How to Apply – UoE Employee system user guide

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
  
  

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 1 July 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Work with us | Usher Institute - where inquiring minds work together to improve lives across the world.

Join our growing team of academics and professional services staff and work in a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment. Our vision is to catalyse the transformation of health in society by working with people, populations and their data.

Our greatest asset is our people, working together to improve public health using evidence-based research.

We are a key applied and translational arm of the Edinburgh Medical School, within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at The University of Edinburgh. Working with partners across UK and international universities, health and care providers, policymakers, industry and the public is central to our highly collaborative ethos.

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.