Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

THE NATIONAL FOREST; Swadlincote; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension scheme

30 days' annual leave + 10.5 days' HOL

Staff bonuses

Flexible working options

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on gym memberships

Job summary

The National Forest is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive in Swadlincote. You will provide high-level executive support to the CEO, manage calendars, board administration, and confidential communications as part of a governance-focused team.

You will coordinate committees, support governance processes, and liaise with senior stakeholders and partners, contributing to the organisation's strategic vision.

Qualifications

• At least three years' experience in a high-level executive support or secretariat role.
• Experience of Board/Committee governance and minute taking.
• Knowledge of charity governance and legislation.
• Experience with CRM and Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level executive, administrative and governance support to the Chief Executive, Chair and Directors.
• Manage diaries, meetings, correspondence and communications for the Chief Executive and senior leaders.
• Oversee Board and Committee administration, agendas, minutes and governance documentation.
• Liaise with Ministers, MPs and external partners and support trustee arrangements.
• Coordinate governance processes and senior stakeholder events.

Skills

Executive support

Stakeholder management

Governance knowledge

Confidentiality

Time management

Education

Professional administrative qualification

Tools

CRM databases

Microsoft Office

Web & email communications

Document management

Job description

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Moira, Swadlincote, DE12

Our Vision for Transformation through Forests

This is a defining moment for the National Forest, with a renewed Vision to harness the transformative power of forests to restore nature, connect communities, and drive enterprise for a positive future. Over 30 years, this 200 square mile landscape has been reshaped, more than 10 million trees planted, and forest cover increased from 6% to 26%. Now, we are ready to build on this success, enabling three new national forests and championing a forest network for England.

We are now looking for an Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive to join us on a permanent, full-time basis.

The Benefits

• Salary of £38,465 per annum
• Civil Service Pension scheme
• 30 days' annual leave plus 10.5 days' public and privilege holidays
• Staff bonuses
• Flexible working options
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on gym memberships

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced senior executive support professional with strong governance knowledge and stakeholder management skills to join our ambitious organisation.

You'll have the chance to work with us as we enter a defining new chapter, utilising your skills and expertise to enable a bold vision to restore nature, connect communities and expand the impact of forests across England.

What's more, you'll gain valuable high-level exposure, working closely with senior leaders whilst benefiting from a generous rewards package designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.

So, if you're ready to bring your executive support expertise to a nationally significant organisation at an exciting point in our journey.

The Role

As Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, you will provide high-level executive, administrative and governance support to our senior leadership and Board.

You will manage diaries, meetings, correspondence and communications for the Chief Executive, Chair and Directors, ensuring their commitments and priorities are effectively co-ordinated.

Overseeing Board and Committee administration, you will manage meeting arrangements, agendas, minutes and governance documentation.

Acting as a key liaison with senior stakeholders, you will also support Trustee arrangements, governance processes and high-profile events.

Additionally, you will:

• Co-ordinate the annual calendar of Board and Committee meetings
• Organise the Annual General Meeting
• Support Trustee recruitment, induction and reviews
• Maintain governance records and registers of interest
• Liaise with Ministers, MPs and external partners
• Organise parliamentary receptions and stakeholder events

About You

To be considered as an Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, you will need:

• At least three years' experience in a similar high-level role, including acting as secretariat to Boards and Committees, operating administration systems, and demonstrating confidentiality and discretion
• Experience of senior stakeholder relationship management
• Broad knowledge of charity and corporate governance and legislation
• Knowledge of relevant administrative systems and tools, including CRM databases, Microsoft Office suite, web and e-communications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing presentations and papers for meetings, and minute taking
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills
• A professional administrative qualification or equivalent experience at a senior level

The closing date for this role is 16th November 2026.

Interviews are to be held on 23rd November 2026.

Other organisations may call this role Personal Assistant, PA, EA, Executive Support Officer, Senior Administrator, Business Support Executive, Secretary, or Senior Administrative Assistant.

Webrecruit and The National Forest are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work is.