Executive Services Officer

University of Derby; Kedleston; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave (38 days incl. b

Wellbeing benefits

Flexible working environment

Onsite gym

Cycle to Work

Staff discounts

Job summary

The University of Derby is seeking a highly organised Executive Services Officer to provide confidential support to a member of the University Executive Board (UEB). This full-time, on-site role is based at Kedleston Road Campus on a 12-month fixed term contract, with opportunities for progression and high standards of discretion and professionalism.

You will manage complex scheduling, produce high-quality briefing materials, and lead on strategic meeting support while collaborating across

Qualifications

• Experience supporting executive-level leaders in a large complex organisation.
• Ability to maintain discretion with confidential information.
• Proven track record of managing a diverse workload and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent minutes, reports and briefing materials production.
• Experience supervising and providing constructive feedback to peers.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential support to University Executive Board members and the Executive Services team.
• Proactive diary management to prioritise strategic deadlines.
• Occasional on-call support outside office hours to cover executive priorities.
• Support University activities and cross-portfolio projects with senior leaders.
• Lead minutes and actions for strategic level meetings with high quality outputs.
• Create briefing materials, presentations and correspondence for UEB members.
• Develop relationships across the University and external partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Digital literacy

Microsoft Office proficiency

Diary and calendar management

Education

Educated to degree level

HND or equivalent experience

GCSE Maths and English (C or above)

Tools

Administrative systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

£32,942 to £36,977 per annum(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £42,523.55 per annum)

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The Executive Services team provide professional, executive level assistance and support to members of the University’s Executive Board (UEB), the senior leaders of the University. This is a busy yet exciting and diverse team to be a part of, working with colleagues within both the University and externally.

Executive Services is a high-performing and collaborative team committed to delivering an outstanding service, embracing digital innovation and continuously improving how we support executive decision-making and organisational success.

This role is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the University's strategic leadership

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Executive Services Officer to provide professional, confidential support to a member of the University Executive Board (UEB). This is a varied and fast-paced role at the heart of the University's strategic leadership, requiring excellent judgement, discretion and the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex environment.

The role also provides opportunities to lead on improvements to processes and ways of working, contribute to cross-University projects and work collaboratively with colleagues across professional services and academic departments.

Please note that this position is full-time, on a 12 month fixed term contract; based on-site at our Kedleston Road Campus.

The anticipated interview date is 8th October 2026.

We are looking for a skilled professional with experience of supporting senior leaders in a complex organisation. You will be highly organised, able to anticipate needs, manage competing demands and maintain exceptional attention to detail.

You will be comfortable building relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders at all levels, handling sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism, and responding positively to changing priorities.

Experience of supporting executive-level meetings, producing high-quality materials, drafting Executive papers, providing briefings and coordinating multiple workstreams would be advantageous. Experience within the higher education sector is desirable but not essential.

• Provide a full confidential support service to members of UEB,as well as to the wider Executive Services team, demonstrating discretionand integrityin dealing with reputationally sensitive information.
• Proactive and creative diary managementfor UEB to ensure optimum use of time to focus on strategic priorities and upcoming deadlines.
• Work closely with team members to provide an occasional on-call support provision out of office hours to ensure that UEB members can focus on matters of strategic importance.
• Ensure continuous and proactive forethought into University activities and strategic aims to support all portfolios within the UEB.
• Lead and provide comprehensive support to strategic level meetings, through excellent organisational skills, high-quality minutes and actions, and make connections across the business to ensure high quality, insightful decision making is carried out.
• PromoteExecutive Services as a highly professionaland competentsupport service to UEB, to support an excellent reputation of the Vice Chancellor, UEB and Executive Services, whilst acting as a positive ambassador for the University.
• Research and provide relevant comprehensive briefing material, prepare draft documents such as presentations, meeting papers and correspondence(letters and emails) on behalf of UEB members, ensuring all completed to a consistently high standard.
• Demonstrate a future focused approach to personal development and embracing the digital direction of the University to provide a continually evolving suite of services and support to the UEB.
• Initiate and lead mentoring of peers in the University in similar positions, to establish Executive Services as a beacon of best practice. Show continuous improvement in practices, raise aspirations and influence peers to meet the high-performance standards of the University.
• Develop strong working relationships across the University, as well as with members of Executive Services, to deliver a seamless, efficient, and effective approach to support.
• Provide a highly comprehensive and professional deputising support role for the Executive Services Lead Coordinator to ensure a seamless and efficient running of the Executive Services.
• HND qualification or proven track record of equivalent professional experience
• GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent qualification

Experience

• Proven experience of supporting at an executive level preferably in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of handling sensitive situations, recognising confidential issues and dealing with them appropriately and with full discretion.
• Experience of proactively managing a diverse workload with the ability to meet deadlines, effectively manage own time, prioritise and react swiftly to changes.
• Experience of working within a high performing team.
• Experience of producing professional standard minutes and reports.
• Experience of supervision, the ability to give constructive feedback to promote best practice and create high performance in others.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Ability to react positively to frequently changing priorities and deadlines, and deal with unforeseen circumstances.
• Ability to be able to make operational decisions in line with UEB/ College expectations.
• Digital literacy and excellent computing skills including Microsoft Office and use of administrative business systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to continuously develop effective relationships with individuals and organisations both internally and externally.
• Excellent attention to detail, including proof reading skills and the ability of maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Understanding the importance of having up to date sector knowledge and the impact this may have on the day-to-day priorities of both UEB members and the wider University.
• Ability to foster and be part of a team spirit which engages others to innovate and perform to a high standard.

Business Requirements

• Ability to occasionally undertake late/evening/weekend working when required.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Hannah Hallam, Chief of Staff via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Don't miss your chance - join the team and make a difference today!