Interim Executive Assistant to Strategic Director

Salt Digital Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt Digital Recruitment seeks an experienced Executive Assistant to support Corporate and Strategic Directors within a large public sector organisation. This role goes beyond diary and admin tasks, acting as a trusted partner to prioritise work and navigate political sensitivities.

Responsibilities include managing complex diaries, preparing briefings and board papers, coordinating with directorates and external partners, and handling confidential matters with discretion.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting Executive Directors or senior leaders.
• Proven ability to operate strategically in a large, complex organisation.
• Exceptional diary, meeting and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience producing polished briefings, reports and board papers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with close attention to detail.
• Judgement and discretion to manage sensitive information.
• Experience working in a politically complex and fast-paced environment.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Highly organised, proactive and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, strategic executive support to Corporate and Strategic Directors.
• Manage complex diaries, meetings and schedules, resolving conflicts and balancing priorities.
• Act as a trusted gatekeeper and key contact for executive offices.
• Coordinate activity across directorates, leadership teams and external partners.
• Prepare briefings, reports, agendas and board-level papers.
• Anticipate issues, identify obstacles and maintain progress.
• Build relationships with elected members, senior executives and stakeholders.
• Handle confidential, politically sensitive matters with discretion.
• Support leaders through organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Ensure meetings and executive actions are coordinated and followed through.

Skills

Executive support

Diary management

Stakeholder management

Briefings and reports

Written and verbal communication

Discretion with confidential info

Political sensitivity

Relationship building

Autonomous working

MS Office proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Job description

Role Overview

We are looking for an accomplished Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to senior Corporate and Strategic Directors within a large, complex public sector organisation. This position extends well beyond traditional diary and administrative support. The successful candidate will operate as a trusted partner, helping senior leaders manage competing priorities, navigate a politically sensitive environment and deliver key strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, strategic executive support to Corporate and Strategic Directors.
• Manage complex diaries, meetings and schedules, resolving conflicts and ensuring priorities are appropriately balanced.
• Act as a trusted gatekeeper and key point of contact for executive offices.
• Coordinate activity across directorates, leadership teams and external partner organisations.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports, agendas, meeting packs and board-level papers.
• Anticipate upcoming issues, identify potential obstacles and take appropriate action to maintain progress.
• Build effective working relationships with elected members, senior executives, external partners and other influential stakeholders.
• Handle confidential, politically sensitive and high-profile matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Support senior leaders through organisational change, transformation programmes and other strategic initiatives.
• Ensure meetings and executive-level actions are properly coordinated, recorded and followed through.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Demonstrable experience supporting Executive Directors, Corporate Directors, Chief Executives, Executive Leadership Teams or equivalent senior leaders.
• A strong track record of operating at a strategic level within a large, complex organisation.
• Exceptional diary, meeting and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience producing polished briefings, reports, agendas and board-level documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with close attention to detail.
• The judgement and discretion required to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Confidence working with senior decision-makers in a politically complex and fast-paced environment.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.
• A highly organised, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• The ability to work autonomously, anticipate requirements and operate with minimal supervision.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Desirable Experience

Experience in Local Government Authority or the wider public sector.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will become a trusted advisor and gatekeeper to senior leadership, ensuring the smooth and effective running of executive offices. By anticipating issues, removing obstacles and coordinating complex activity, they will enable Strategic Directors to remain focused on delivering critical organisational priorities. We are particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrable record of adding value beyond traditional executive support.

Important Information

• Applicants must be UK residents
• No visa sponsorship or options are available for this role
• This role is hybrid working, with no fully remote option
• Rates depend on experience and client requirements