Executive Officer

University of Chichester; Chichester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in England is seeking an Executive Officer to provide high-level support to the COO and CFO. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-driven, and possess excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include managing complex stakeholder relations and filtering inquiries. Benefits include a defined benefit pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, and various support programs. This role is pivotal in ensuring effective organizational functioning in a collegiate environment.

Benefits

Defined Benefit pension schemes

Paid closure over Christmas

On-site gym

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in an Executive Officer or Personal Assistant role.
• Ability to filter enquiries and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong understanding of corporate policies and higher education sector.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for COO and CFO.
• Manage multiple and complex stakeholder relations.
• Provide proactive executive service and support.

Skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Job description

Full Time : 1.0fte - 37 hours per week

Salary range £35,608 to £37,694 per annum

About this role

We are looking for a highly organised, detail‑driven individual passionate about delivering exceptional support. Acting as the first point of contact for the Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide a high level, proactive, effective, and agile executive service. Offering a welcoming, personable, and professional approach and the ability to adapt to and interact with all levels of staff, students and external parties.

About you

You will need to be an excellent communicator, who can effectively and proactively take responsibility for managing multiple and complex stakeholder relations, filtering enquiries, prioritising tasks and working in a flexible and collegiate manner using a high degree of tact, sensitivity and confidentiality.

Our Executive Officers need a particularly elevated level of awareness of the University’s business, its processes and corporate policies, including a strong understanding of the wider higher education sector to fully support the COO and CFO in their roles. This includes being strategically perceptive with the ability to interact with and influence others to help achieve objectives and agree arrangements.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their skills and previous experience of working in an Executive Officer or Personal Assistant role (or similar relevant experience).

Benefits

• Defined Benefit pension schemes via our provider the Local Government Pension Scheme. Your own monthly contributions are enhanced with employer contributions and a substantial automatic lump sum life cover scheme enhancement.
• A paid closure period over the Christmas break is in addition to our generous holiday allowance with bank holidays too and an occupational sickness scheme.
• There’s also an on‑site gym at our Chichester campus; a cycle purchase salary sacrifice scheme; subsidised bus travel between our Bognor and Chichester campuses and Chichester town centre; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to support our staff and extensive personal/professional training opportunities throughout the year.

Enquiries are welcomed by Claire Thorn, Chief Financial Officer on [e-mail]

Key Dates

• Closing Date : Monday 12 January 2026
• Interview Date : Wednesday 21 January 2026

You can view the full job profile in the attachment link above.

Prior to submitting your job application kindly ensure you have considered and can demonstrate your right to work in the UK.

If you require any support with completing your application please contact the recruitment team; [e-mail]

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at every level because we believe a diverse workforce benefits us all.