Executive Support Manager

London Gov; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in London is seeking an Executive Support Manager to lead a team in providing high-quality assistance to senior leaders. The successful candidate will manage operations, foster relationships, and contribute to strategic planning in a fast-paced environment. This role offers competitive compensation and the opportunity to influence and innovate within the organization.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Interest-free season ticket loan

Career average pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced manager with proven ability to lead a team and deliver services to senior leaders.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to handle complex situations.
• Self-motivated and capable of making decisions effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Executive Assistants while ensuring high-quality support for senior leaders.
• Establish strong relationships with stakeholders and manage documentation workflows effectively.
• Drive innovation and improvements in the Executive Support function.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time Management

Problem Solving

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Interview date: 2 October 2025 (may be subject to change)

Corporate Resources and Business Improvement

The Resources and Business Improvement directorateis led by Dianne Tranmer. It is responsible for:People Function, Facilities Management, Digital Experience Unit and Technology Group, Information Governance, Executive Support Team and leadership of all our shared services across the GLA Group.

About the role

Are you a confident, collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment? We’re looking for someone just like you to help lead our Executive Support Team, supporting senior leaders and setting the professional standard across the organisation.

In this key role, you’ll:

• Lead and support a team of Executive Assistants, flexing resources and monitoring performance
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders and provide expert oversight across complex remits
• Co-lead the Executive Support function, driving consistency and innovation
• Contribute to strategic planning and lead transformational projects
• Deputise for the Head of Executive Support when needed

This is a high-impact role at the heart of the organisation, perfect for someone who enjoys variety, challenge, and making a real difference.

What your day will look like

As Executive Support Manager, you’ll ensure the team operates effectively and that Principals receive seamless, high-quality support, enabling business as usual to thrive even in a fast-paced environment.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of Executive Assistants, ensuring high-quality support for senior leaders and a flexible, responsive service.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, balancing competing needs and finding smart, workable solutions.
• Play a key role in the leadership team, shaping strategy, improving systems, and driving innovation across the Executive Support function.
• Stay ahead of organisational priorities to ensure the team is well-informed, agile, and ready to respond to emerging events.
• Maintain effective communication with a wide network of internal and external stakeholders to support seamless service delivery.
• Oversee governance processes for Principals, including Gifts & Hospitality and Register of Interests.
• Manage documentation workflows, including official correspondence
• Oversee the team rota and manage annual leave flow, ensuring continuous coverage and effective service delivery

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

Technical requirements/experience/skills

Experienced and highly skilled manager with experience of leading or supporting the leader of a team. Acting with expertise in prioritising work, developing efficient workflow, and managing and motivating team members to achieve operational goals

• Experience of delivering high level executive support service to the most senior members of an organisation
• Exceptional attention to detail and experience of managing multiple complex situations and prioritising effectively
• High level ability to work on own initiative, accurately to tight deadlines and to prioritise between conflicting demands
• Advanced ability in the use of information and communications technology, including Microsoft suite

Building and Managing Relationships

…Is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Develops new professional relationships
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected

Communicating and Influencing

…Is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation

Planning and Organising

…Is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

Problem Solving

…Is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

Organisational Awareness

…Is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Challenges unethical behaviour
• Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively
• Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work
• Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas
• Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work

Decision Making

…Is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available
• Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them
• Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward
• Demonstrates awareness of the GLA’s decision making processes and how to use them

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here:GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring managerJudella Fereirawould be happy to speak to you. Please contact them [e-mail]

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: Thursday 2 October 2025 (may be subject to change)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

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