Personal Assistant

Cathedral Appointments | B Corp™; Exeter; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Staff wellbeing service

Professional development and training

Autonomy and senior leadership access

Job summary

Cathedral Appointments is recruiting on behalf of a Devon-based special education provider in Exeter for a PA to the Executive Headteacher / Senior Administrator. Based mainly in Exeter with occasional travel within Devon, you will oversee administrative processes, lead the administrative team and help communication flow between sites.

The role suits an experienced PA with discretion and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior administrative, PA or executive support role.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to balance priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including drafting correspondence and minutes.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to handle confidential information and undergo an enhanced DBS check.
• Fluency in spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Executive Headteacher’s diary and provide high-level administrative support.
• Organise meetings, prepare reports, presentations and correspondence, and record/follow up actions.
• Lead and develop administrative systems across the organisation and line manage the admin team.
• Support governance, safeguarding administration and cross-site communications.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

Skills

Senior admin experience

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Discretion

English fluency

DBS check readiness

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Up to £32,169 | On-site, Term-Time Only, 37 Hours per Week | Exeter

Cathedral Appointments is recruiting on behalf of a respected special education provider in Devon for a PA to the Executive Headteacher / Senior Administrator. The organisation supports children and young people with complex learning needs, and is driven by clear values, ambitious outcomes and a genuinely collaborative culture. This is a chance to sit at the centre of its leadership and help everything run smoothly, starting as soon as possible.

The Role:

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, you will be the calm, organised presence that keeps senior leadership and administration moving in step. Based mainly in Exeter, with occasional travel to other locations in Devon, you will oversee administrative processes across the organisation, lead the administrative team and help communication flow clearly between sites. The role suits an experienced PA or senior administrator who combines warmth and discretion with excellent attention to detail, and who wants their work to make a real difference.

Responsibilities for the PA to the Executive Headteacher / Senior Administrator:

• Manage the Executive Headteacher’s diary and provide high-level administrative support, keeping priorities and deadlines firmly on track.
• Organise meetings, prepare reports, presentations and correspondence, and record and follow up on agreed actions.
• Lead and develop administrative systems and processes across the organisation, including line management of the administrative team.
• Support communications, governance and compliance activity, including safeguarding-related administration.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders across multiple locations.

Requirements for the PA to the Executive Headteacher / Senior Administrator include:

• Proven experience in a senior administrative, PA or executive support role within a busy, demanding environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including drafting correspondence and taking accurate minutes.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office.
• A professional, discreet approach and the ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Confidence and fluency in spoken English, and willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Benefits:

• Salary of up to £32,169.
• Term-time working pattern, 40 weeks per year, 37 hours per week.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Comprehensive staff wellbeing service, including counselling, physiotherapy and 24/7 GP access.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Significant autonomy, close work with senior leadership and the opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects everyone who works there to share this commitment.

If you are a proactive, polished administrator looking to bring your skills to a setting where your work genuinely matters, we would love to hear from you.

Note on Sponsorship: We regret to inform you that at this time, we are unable to offer sponsorship for work authorisation for this role. Therefore, candidates must possess valid authorisation to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.

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