Executive Support Manager

University of Brighton; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Brighton seeks an Executive Support Manager to oversee executive operations within the Vice-Chancellor's Office. You will lead a team, provide comprehensive executive support, and coordinate governance efforts. The ideal candidate should have significant management experience, the ability to navigate internal and external communication effectively, and thrive in a dynamic environment. This full-time, permanent role is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to impact executive operations significantly.

Qualifications

• Significant line management experience and a proven ability to develop high-performing teams.
• Experience of coordinating and delivering executive support to senior leaders in large organizations.
• Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of people.

Responsibilities

• Providing executive support for the Vice-Chancellor, including managing their complex diary.
• Managing the VCO to ensure high-quality support for the University Executive Board.
• Leading a team of Executive Assistants and motivating them to achieve outstanding results.

Skills

Line management experience

Coordination of executive support

Highly developed communication skills

Ability to thrive in high-pressure environments

Advanced IT skills (Microsoft Office)

Job description

Governance and Legal

Location: Brighton - Moulsecoomb
Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum
Closing Date: Monday 05 January 2026
Reference: VC5054-25-267

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Vice-Chancellor's Office as Executive Support Manager.

In addition to serving as the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Assistant, you will take on a key leadership role by managing a team of Executive Assistants who provide dedicated support to members of the University Executive Board. This position places you at the heart of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office (VCO), where you will play a vital role in ensuring its smooth, effective, and efficient operation. Drawing on your leadership abilities and extensive administrative experience, you will oversee the delivery of high-quality executive support, enabling the University’s most senior leaders to carry out their responsibilities with confidence and success.

Your Duties Will Include

• Providing executive support for the Vice-Chancellor, including managing their complex diary and briefing them
• Managing the VCO in a way that ensures the University Executive Board receives high-quality, agile and responsive support
• Regularly liaising with a large number of people, both internal and external stakeholders
• Leading a team of Executive Assistants, motivating them to achieve outstanding results
• Supporting effective governance through coordinating meetings, paperwork, and action tracking

To Succeed In This Role, You Will Have

• Significant line management experience and a proven ability to develop high-performing teams and nurture individuals
• Experience of coordinating and delivering executive support to senior leaders in large, complex organisations
• Highly developed communication skills, and the ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide range of people
• The ability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to use technology to deliver administrative efficiencies

This fast-paced, varied position is ideal for someone with significant experience as an senior executive assistant or office manager, and who is looking for a new opportunity to use their skills, knowledge and experience to make a lasting impact on the operation of our executive support.

This post is offered on a full-time (37.0 hours per week), permanent basis and is not available on a job share arrangement.

Further Details

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system, with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.