Executive Office PA

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff pass

Cycle to work scheme

Healthcare plan

Discounted gym membership

Discounts on cinema tickets

Pension scheme

Job summary

Chester Zoo is seeking an experienced Executive Office PA to join the Executive Office on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2027. You will support the Executive Directors with confidential diary management, prioritisation, and stakeholder coordination, enabling strong governance and efficient operations.

The role requires handling sensitive information with discretion, coordinating UK and international travel, and providing cover for the Executive Assistant when needed.

Qualifications

• A Level 5 qualification in Business Administration (or equivalent) or extensive experience providing high-level support to Directors or senior leaders in a similar role.
• Proven experience independently managing complex Executive-level diaries and inboxes, using sound judgement, discretion and decision-making skills to effectively prioritise competing demands and resolve issues proactively.
• Excellent communication with strong reporting and stakeholder management skills, engaging with colleagues at all levels of the organisation as well as external partners, Trustees and senior leaders.
• Highly organised, meticulous and adaptable with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly.
• Experience building relationships, influencing others positively and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, delivering excellent customer service and support.
• Proactive problem solver who seeks opportunities to improve processes and takes ownership of tasks end-to-end.
• Experience coordinating complex UK and international travel arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-quality support to senior leaders in a busy and fast-moving environment.
• Manage complex diaries and inboxes, prioritising, escalating and resolving issues as appropriate.
• Provide cover and deputise for the Executive Assistant when required to ensure continuity of support."
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders internally and externally.
• Coordinate meetings, events and activities from start to finish, ensuring actions are followed through and deadlines met.
• Prepare professional correspondence, reports, presentations and other documents to a high standard.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity and sound judgement.
• Support governance and reporting activities with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Executive Office team, providing flexible support and continuity across the function.
• Anticipate challenges, identify solutions and take ownership from start to finish.
• Coordinate complex UK and international travel arrangements.

Skills

Diary management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organisational skills

Discretion

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 5 Business Administration

Tools

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

Executive Office PA

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 30,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally.And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

The Role

We now have an exciting new role for an outstanding PA to join our Executive Office team on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2027.

Supporting our Executive Directors, you'll play a vital role in helping the organisation operate effectively by providing proactive, professional and highly confidential support. Working as part of a collaborative Executive Office team, you'll help manage busy diaries, inboxes and priorities, while building strong relationships with colleagues, Trustees and external stakeholders.

No two days are the same. One day you could be coordinating a key committee meeting, preparing high-quality communications or helping arrange international travel, and the next you'll be managing competing priorities, solving problems and ensuring our Executive Directors are able to focus on leading the organisation.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced PA who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working with a wide range of stakeholders, and takes pride in delivering exceptional support and service.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Provide proactive, high-quality support to senior leaders in a busy and fast-moving environment.
• Manage complex diaries and inboxes, confidently prioritising, escalating and resolving issues as appropriate.
• Provide cover and deputise for the Executive Assistant when required, helping to ensure continuity of support across the Executive Office.
• Build strong and productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Coordinate meetings, events and activities from start to finish, ensuring actions are followed through and deadlines are met.
• Prepare professional correspondence, reports, presentations and other documents to a high standard.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
• Support governance and reporting activities, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail at all times.
• Work collaboratively as part of a close-knit Executive Office team, providing flexible support and helping ensure continuity across the function.
• Anticipate challenges, identify solutions and take ownership of tasks from start to finish.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Fixed Term contract until 31 December 2027
• 22 hours per week, worked over 3 days – Monday, Thursday & Friday as part of a job share
• Salary of £16,912.50 per annum based on 22 hours per week.
• 33 days annual leave pro rata to 22hrs per week
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions

Our Requirements

• A Level 5 qualification in Business Administration (or equivalent) or extensive experience providing high-level support to Directors or senior leaders in a similar role. You'll have good experience operating in a busy Executive, PA or EA environment, with some commercial experience being advantageous.
• You’ll have proven experience independently managing complex Executive-level diaries and inboxes, using sound judgement, discretion and decision-making skills to effectively prioritise competing demands and resolve issues proactively.
• You’ll be an excellent communicator with strong reporting and stakeholder management skills, confident engaging with colleagues at all levels of the organisation as well as external partners, Trustees and senior leaders.
• We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, meticulous and adaptable, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly.
• You’ll be skilled at building relationships, influencing others positively and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
• You’ll have experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, whilst delivering excellent customer service and support.
• You’ll be confident and assertive when required, whilst demonstrating empathy and tact in more sensitive situations.
• You’ll also be a proactive problem solver who actively seeks opportunities to improve processes, proposes solutions and takes ownership of tasks from start to finish.
• Experience coordinating complex UK and international travel arrangements is essential.
• You’ll be an advanced user of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Teams.

Closing date for applications will be 22 September 2026, with interviews taking place w/c 28 September 2026.