Executive Assistant to HR Director

Reach plc; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media organization in London is seeking a proactive and highly organized Executive Assistant to support the HR Director. This role involves managing complex diaries, coordinating meetings, and handling correspondence. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and flexibility, along with proficiency in GSuite and Microsoft Office. The company offers a supportive environment and various employee benefits.

Benefits

25 days' holiday

Extra day's paid leave for volunteering

Bonus scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Supportive policies for families

Access to discounts

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting executive board members in a large organisation is essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex diaries and coordinate high-level meetings.
• Handle high-volume email correspondence on behalf of the HR Director.
• Support key HR initiatives such as annual results preparation.

Skills

Proactive attitude

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Time-management skills

Flexibility

Education

Experience supporting executive-level professionals

Tools

GSuite

Microsoft Office

Job description

About us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us Britain and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach around 70% of the UK's online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers around the world, connecting with them on who they are, where they live and what they love.

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

About this role

Are you a proactive and highly organised Executive Assistant eager to make an impact at the centre of HR leadership? We’re looking for an outstanding individual to be the right hand to our HR Director, serving as a trusted representative and primary point of contact across the organisation. In this pivotal role, you’ll expertly manage complex diaries, coordinate high-level meetings, and provide flawless logistical support for both internal and external engagements. Your ability to anticipate needs, handle sensitive matters with discretion, and communicate confidently with stakeholders at every level will keep our HR function running seamlessly.

You’ll take charge of high-volume email correspondence and will respond on behalf of the HR Director, escalating priorities as needed whilst preparing presentations, managing travel, processing expenses, and supporting company events. Your collaborative spirit will see you working closely with the HR Leadership Team, Company Secretary, Board members, and fellow Executive Assistants to deliver successful projects and events. You’ll also play a vital role in supporting key HR initiatives such as annual results preparation and reporting.

What you’ll need to succeed:

To excel in this role, you will need to be a natural relationship builder, able to connect with colleagues at every level of the business and foster strong professional networks. Your written and verbal communication skills should be outstanding, enabling you to represent the HR Director with clarity and professionalism in every interaction. Collaboration comes naturally to you, and you are comfortable working on sensitive and confidential matters with absolute discretion.

You are proactive, independent, and highly motivated, always looking ahead and anticipating what needs to be done before anyone else even realises it. Your eye for detail ensures that nothing slips through the cracks, while your exceptional time-management skills allow you to organise, prioritise, and coordinate multiple projects at once. Flexibility is one of your strengths—you adapt quickly to changing circumstances and are always willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

A high-impact personality means you engage others easily and can influence outcomes when needed. You operate efficiently and effectively, ensuring tasks are completed to a high standard and within tight deadlines. Above all, you approach every challenge with professionalism, strict confidentiality, and a determination to deliver results. Proficiency in GSuite and Microsoft Office is essential, along with the confidence to quickly learn new systems as required. Previous experience supporting executive board members in a large organisation will ensure you’re ready to thrive in this fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Additional Information

How we'll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
  
  

• An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.
  
  

• Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)
  
  

• Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings.
  
  

• Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
  
  

• Supportive and progressive people policies - we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application.
  
  

• A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.
  
  

• Private healthcare - [insert for you/your partner/your family]
  
  

• Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.
  
  

• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
  
  

• Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
  
  

• Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.
  
  

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.