Leader's Executive Assistant

Southwark Council; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in London is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Leader in managing diary and meetings while liaising with key political stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in executive support, strong organizational skills, and a passion for public service. Offering a hybrid working pattern, this role is pivotal in shaping community engagement and driving local government initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in Executive support for senior leadership in local government or a political environment.
• First-class organizational skills with a flair for forward-planning and multitasking under pressure.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating the Leader’s diary and meetings with stakeholders.
• Acting as a liaison between the Leader, Cabinet, and senior officers.
• Managing casework and correspondence from constituents.
• Supporting key council meetings and events.

Skills

Executive support experience

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Discretion

Tools

Microsoft365

Job description

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Are you ready to step into the beating heart of one of London’s most dynamic boroughs? As the Executive Assistant (EA) to Southwark Council’s Leader, you won’t just be managing diaries, you’ll be the engine behind high-impact decision-making, the calm in political storms, and the vital bridge between leadership and community.

Southwark is at the heart of London’s success, known across the world for its iconic landmarks but powered by its extraordinary people. We have much to be proud of and every reason to be ambitious about the future. We are now looking for an EA to bring energy, precision, and political savvy to a role that sits at the very centre of civic power.

Why this role is unmissable:

• Influence Where It Matters: Work side-by-side with the Leader, Cabinet and CMT, powering the decisions that shape Southwark’s future.
• Connection with Purpose: Be the first point of contact for residents, playing a frontline role in resolving casework that truly changes lives.
• Right hand and left Brain: Bring strategic thinking and rock-solid admin skills to the fore in a role where detail meets direction.

What You'll Be Doing

• Coordinating the Leader’s diary, meetings and briefings with political and corporate stakeholders.
• Acting as a trusted liaison between the Leader, Cabinet, senior officers and external partners.
• Managing casework and correspondence from constituents with warmth, professionalism, and speed.
• Supporting key council meetings and events, ensuring follow-up actions are delivered.
• Overseeing office administration and providing financial admin support, including budget monitoring and raising purchase orders.
• Driving forward systems and processes to keep the Leader’s Office firing on all cylinders.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in Executive support for senior leadership, ideally in local government or a political environment.
• First-class organisational skills with a flair for forward-planning and multitasking under pressure.
• A strategic mindset, able to anticipate needs, spot issues, and help shape solutions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills using Microsoft365.
• Confidence handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
• Passion for public service and a desire to make a difference in the community.
• A passion for leading people, you’ll have a track record of developing others and delivering results and shared goals.
• You have a track record of support improvement, driving results and shared goals through creative and efficient ways of working.
• Able to manage programmes and projects, making sure every milestone is hit and every challenge tackled.
• You’ll enjoy a hybrid working pattern, combining the comfort of home working with collaboration days at our London Bridge office.

Additional Information

About Southwark

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.