Executive Support Officer

Arts Company; Wales; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru seeks an exceptional Executive Support Officer to provide proactive administrative and operational support to the Executive Office.

You will assist senior leaders, coordinate office functions and contribute to governance activities Working with the Executive Assistant, you will help manage boards and committees, anticipate needs, and maintain high standards of documentation and communication in a busy, dynamic arts organisation dedicated to widening

Qualifications

• Experience providing PA, EA or management administrative support.
• Experience managing complex diaries and coordinating competing priorities.
• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders in a busy and fast-paced environment.
• Strong and diligent organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience producing professional documentation and correspondence.
• Naturally proactive and able to anticipate needs before they arise.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, common sense and discretion.
• Curious and willing to ask questions to understand the purpose behind tasks and processes.
• Takes ownership and accountability for delivering work to a high standard.
• Solution-focused with a desire to improve processes and ways of working.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Flexible, responsive and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Collaborative and willing to support colleagues during busy periods.
• An interest in the arts and culture sector, with a curiosity about what makes creative organisations thrive.
• Experience working within a charity, arts or public-facing organisation.
• Experience supporting Boards, Committees or governance processes.
• An enthusiasm for learning about Welsh National Opera and becoming an ambassador for our work.
• Ready to discover the world of Opera and get hooked along the way.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive administrative and operational support to the Executive Office, helping to ensure the smooth and efficient running of executive activity, priorities and workflows.
• Work closely with the Executive Assistant, coordinate office functions, contribute to governance administration and provide essential capacity during busy periods, particularly around Board and Committee cycles.

Skills

PA/EA experience

Diary management

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Documentation & correspondence

Proactivity and initiative

Multi-priority handling

Interpersonal & communication

Relationship building

Adaptability

Governance support

Curiosity and learning orientation

Job description

This advert and the full job description are available in both English and Cymraeg. Candidates are welcome to submit applications and participate in interviews in either language.

Building the Opera Company of the future.

We are at a defining moment in our history. Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru was born in the post-war spirit of democracy, fuelled by a national passion for human connection through song. In its 80th anniversary year, we are committed to reimagining the company as a contemporary opera company, fit for the 21st century, rooted in Wales but international in its ambition. We want to reimagine what opera can be today, positioning WNOCC as a pioneering, brave and joyful force in the UK’s live arts ecology. We want to champion increased diversity on our stages and in our audiences and prove that opera is the dynamic art form of our time.

In this next chapter, we seek an exceptional Executive Support Officer.

The purpose of this role is to provide proactive administrative and operational support to the Executive Office, helping to ensure the smooth and efficient running of executive activity, priorities and workflows. Working closely with the Executive Assistant, the role will support senior leaders, coordinate office functions, contribute to governance administration and provide essential capacity during busy periods, particularly around Board and Committee cycles.

• Experience providing PA, EA or management administrative support.
• Experience managing complex diaries and coordinating competing priorities.
• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders in a busy and fast-paced environment.
• Strong and diligent organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience producing professional documentation and correspondence.
• Naturally proactive and able to anticipate needs before they arise.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, common sense and discretion.
• Curious and willing to ask questions to understand the purpose behind tasks and processes.
• Takes ownership and accountability for delivering work to a high standard.
• Solution-focused with a desire to improve processes and ways of working.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Flexible, responsive and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Collaborative and willing to support colleagues during busy periods.
• An interest in the arts and culture sector, with a curiosity about what makes creative organisations thrive.
• Experience working within a charity, arts or public-facing organisation.
• Experience supporting Boards, Committees or governance processes.
• An enthusiasm for learning about Welsh National Opera and becoming an ambassador for our work.
• Ready to discover the world of Opera and get hooked along the way.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We recognise that talented people sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. Research shows this is particularly true for women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, disabled and neurodivergent people, and those from working‑class backgrounds. If this feels like your ideal role, even if your experience does not align perfectly with every criterion, we encourage you to apply anyway. Your perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to help build the opera company of the future.

Reasonable Adjustments

WNO is committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, please email [e-mail] . We are committed to supporting you at every stage of the process.