Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor

Oxford Brookes University; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Hybrid & flexible working

Employer-contributing pension scheme

Staff wellbeing & facilities

Job summary

Oxford Brookes University is seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level confidential support to the Vice-Chancellor. You will act as the first point of contact, coordinating diary management, drafting communications, and liaising with senior leaders across faculties.

This role emphasizes discretion, multi-tasking, and a proactive, calming presence, with responsibilities including travel planning, event logistics, and representing the office with warmth and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Significant experience providing executive or personal assistant support to a senior leader within a large, complex organisation.
• Excellent written English and interpersonal skills, with a diplomatic and confident manner.
• High attention to detail, discretion handling confidential information.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office; familiarity with Google Workspace desirable.

Responsibilities

• Executive Support & Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for the Vice-Chancellor, triaging queries, drafting communications, and liaising across university faculties and directorates to keep business flowing smoothly.
• Diary & Schedule Management: Proactively manage the Vice-Chancellor's diary, ensuring meetings are well-organised and briefings prepared in advance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Handle enquiries from staff, students, parents and external partners with sensitivity and sound judgment.
• Travel & Event Logistics: Plan complex UK and international travel itineraries, accommodations, and event arrangements.

Skills

Executive Support

Diary Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Travel Planning

Communication

Discretion

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Are you an experienced Executive Assistant looking for a rewarding role at the heart of a vibrant university community? We have a wonderful opportunity for an organised, discrete, and proactive Executive Assistant to join the Vice-Chancellor's Office at Oxford Brookes University. In this central position, you will provide high-level, confidential support directly to the Vice-Chancellor, working alongside colleagues across the team to help support the wider Senior Leadership Team. You will be joining a friendly, collaborative group of experienced colleagues who are looking forward to welcoming you and supporting you to succeed in the role. As the first point of contact for the Vice-Chancellor, you will represent the office with warmth, tact, and professionalism, offering a welcoming service to staff, students, and visitors alike. This is a varied role in a supportive environment, perfectly suited to someone who enjoys multi-tasking, remains calm under pressure, and takes pride in delivering high-quality executive support.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Support & Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for the Vice-Chancellor, triaging queries, drafting communications, and liaising across university faculties and directorates to keep business flowing smoothly.
• Diary & Schedule Management: Proactively manage the Vice-Chancellor's diary, ensuring meetings are well-organised, time is protected, and comprehensive briefings and itineraries are prepared in advance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Handle enquiries from staff, students, parents, and external partners with sensitivity, warmth, and sound judgment.
• Travel & Event Logistics: Plan complex UK and international travel itineraries, accommodations, and event arrangements.

Key qualifications and experience

• Experience: Significant experience providing executive or personal assistant support to a senior leader within a large, complex organisation.
• Communication: Excellent written English and interpersonal skills, with a diplomatic, reassuring, and confident manner.
• Organisation & Discretion: High attention to detail, strong problem-solving ability, and complete discretion when handling confidential information.
• IT Skills: Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Familiarity with Google Workspace is desirable.
• Flexibility: A practical, helpful approach with the willingness to occasionally work flexible hours when required by university business.

Why Join Oxford Brookes University?

We recognise that salary is only part of the story. At Oxford Brookes, we offer a warm, inclusive work culture and a total reward package designed to support your work-life balance, wellbeing, and long-term future.

• Generous Paid Leave: Excellent annual leave allowance, plus statutory bank holidays and extra paid closure days over the Christmas period.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: Options for hybrid working and flexible hours to help you balance work and home life.
• Valuable Pension Scheme: Access to a highly competitive, employer-contributing pension scheme.
• Staff Perks & Wellbeing: Discounts with local and national retailers, cycle-to-work schemes, and access to university sports facilities and libraries.

To discover more about our workplace culture and benefits, please visit the website Staff Benefits Overview

Equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all.

We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.

As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.

Interviews are expected to take place on 23 October 2026.