PA to Deputy Head (Operations)

Haberdashers' Elstree Schools; Elstree; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous private pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Extensive professional development and

Free lunch and refreshments

Free onsite parking

Access to sports facilities

Wellbeing programmes

Online GP service

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Vivup staff benefits

Job summary

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools is seeking an organised and proactive PA to the Deputy Head (Operations) to support the day-to-day running of the Senior School at the Elstree campus. The role involves coordinating staff cover, managing calendars, and providing confidential administrative support to a senior leader.

You will work in a busy, people-focused environment, requiring excellent IT skills, discretion, and the ability to manage competing priorities with a proactive, solutions-focused

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily staff cover administration and ensure classes are supervised when staff are absent.
• Coordinate the school's events calendar with Estates, Catering, IT, and academic colleagues.

Job description

PA to Deputy Head (Operations) - Term-time plus 2 weeks, working 37 weeks a year

Habs has been awarded Independent School of the Year 2025, with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools receiving both the award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships and the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025. This recognition reflects our long-term commitment to social impact and the deep, sustained collaborations we continue to build with our state sector partners. It is an exciting time to join our community.

We are looking for an organised, proactive and personable PA to Deputy Head (Operations) to join the team at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School.

This is a varied and important role at the heart of the day-to-day running of the Senior School. Working closely with the Deputy Head (Operations), you will help ensure that the school’s busy programme of teaching, events and activities runs smoothly, while providing high-quality administrative support to a senior member of the school’s leadership team.

The role has become available following the promotion of our current PA to another position within Habs. We are particularly pleased to see colleagues progress internally, and this vacancy provides an exciting opportunity for someone new to join the team and make a positive contribution.

A key part of the position will be overseeing the daily administration of staff cover, ensuring that classes continue to be appropriately supervised when colleagues are absent. You will also play a central role in coordinating the school’s events calendar, working closely with colleagues across Professional Services, including Estates, Catering and IT, as well as academic colleagues and event owners.

From helping to coordinate parents’ evenings and other school events, to maintaining the whole-school calendar and room bookings, this is a role where organisation, communication and attention to detail really matter. You will need to be comfortable managing competing priorities, building effective relationships with colleagues and taking ownership of tasks from beginning to end.

Alongside these operational responsibilities, you will provide proactive administrative support to the Deputy Head (Operations), including coordinating meetings and helping to ensure that information and communication flow effectively across the school.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a busy, people-focused environment and takes pride in making things work well behind the scenes. You will have excellent organisational and IT skills, a professional and welcoming manner, and the discretion required when dealing with confidential information. Previous experience in a PA or administrative role would be valuable, although we are equally interested in people who can demonstrate the right skills, approach and enthusiasm for the role.

This is an opportunity to become an integral part of the Senior School community, working alongside colleagues across the Elstree campus and playing a practical role in ensuring that school life runs as smoothly as possible.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary, commensurate with the candidate’s experience
• The opportunity to work in a vibrant, ambitious, and supportive school community alongside exceptional colleagues who are deeply committed to excellence and to one another
• Generous private pension scheme through Aegon with substantial employer contributions
• Life assurance cover
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering confidential support, guidance, and advice
• Extensive professional development and training opportunities within a culture that values growth and continuous learning
• Free lunch and refreshments during the working day
• Free onsite parking and access to the Schools’ extensive coach network
• Free access to excellent sports facilities, including the gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes
• Wellbeing initiatives and programmes, including yoga, mindfulness sessions, and health checks
• Access to an online GP service, providing quick and convenient healthcare advice
• Access to Vivup, the staff benefits platform offering discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme and sustainable travel initiatives, including Octopus Electric Vehicles