Personal Assistant

Provide Education- West Yorkshire; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent independent school in Leeds seeks an exceptional Executive Assistant to support its Principal. This integral role involves managing communications, organizing meetings, and providing confidential executive support. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational and communication skills, alongside proven experience in a busy environment. The position offers a competitive salary of £39,631 FTE and a retention bonus upon successful completion of the maternity cover contract, which ends on January 29, 2027. The role will be hybrid, mainly on-site during school terms.

Benefits

Retention bonus of £5,000

Supportive work environment

Flexibility during school holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience providing senior-level PA or executive support within a busy, complex organization.
• Experience in a school or education setting is preferred but not essential.
• Highly professional, trustworthy and discreet with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for the Principal’s office, handling inquiries confidently.
• Manage a busy diary and inbox while solving scheduling challenges creatively.
• Draft, type, and send correspondence, reports, and presentations to a high standard.
• Prepare papers for leadership and Governors' meetings.
• Organize and minute formal meetings while ensuring clear and timely agendas.
• Arrange travel and hospitality including off-site events.

Skills

Advanced shorthand and typing skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft PowerPoint

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Minute-taking

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths at grade C/5 or above

Job description

Are you an exceptional organiser who thrives in a busy, people-focused environment? Do you enjoy being at the heart of a vibrant community, making things happen and supporting senior leadership at the highest level?

We are delighted to be recruiting an Executive Assistant to the Principal on behalf of a highly regarded independent school in Leeds. This is a varied, fast-paced and rewarding role, offering the opportunity to work closely with an inspirational Principal and make a real impact on daily school life. This is a maternity Cover role until 29th January 2027. The role will be based on site 5 days a week full time 35 hours. In the school holidays (16 weeks approximately over the year) is mostly remote working.

Salary: £39,631 FTE a retention bonus of £5,000 will be payable on successful completion of the full maternity cover contract.

The Opportunity This role sits at the centre of the school's operations. You will be the trusted right hand to the Principal, providing a professional, efficient and confidential executive support service, while also contributing to a warm, welcoming and well‑organised experience for pupils, parents and staff. No two days will be the same from managing diaries and preparing high-profile meetings, to welcoming visitors and supporting school events.

What You'll Be Doing

• Acting as the first friendly and professional point of contact for the Principal's office, confidently handling enquiries from parents, pupils, colleagues and external partners.
• Managing a busy diary and inbox, anticipating priorities, solving scheduling challenges creatively and keeping everything running smoothly.
• Drafting, typing and sending correspondence, reports and presentations to a high standard.
• Preparing papers for senior leadership and Governors' meetings, as well as staff training sessions.
• Organising and minuting formal meetings, ensuring agendas and paperwork are clear and timely.
• Arranging travel, accommodation and hospitality, including meeting rooms, refreshments and off‑site events.
• Supporting the Principal at key school and external events when required.
• Assisting with expenses and general office administration.

Working Across the School

Collaborating closely with the wider administrative team to deliver a consistently excellent service. Looking for ways to improve systems and processes, helping the school work smarter and more efficiently. Building strong relationships with colleagues across the school to support effective communication with parents and the delivery of whole‑school priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at grade C/5 or above.
• Advanced shorthand and typing skills (or significant relevant experience).
• Proven experience providing senior‑level PA or executive support within a busy, complex organisation.
• Experience in a school or education setting is welcome but not essential.
• Confident user of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint.

Skills & Personal Qualities

• Highly professional, trustworthy and discreet, with a natural ability to build confidence and rapport.
• An excellent communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
• Warm, approachable and confident when dealing with pupils, parents, staff and visitors.
• Exceptionally organised, proactive and detail‑focused.
• Calm under pressure, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Confident and accurate minute‑taker.
• Enjoys improving systems and finding better ways of working.

Values & Mindset

• Positive, flexible and solutions‑focused with a genuine 'can‑do' attitude.
• Supportive of the ethos of independent education.
• Committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and creating a safe environment for children and young people.
• Keen to learn, develop and grow in the role.

We're proud to be an inclusive employer, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and committed to creating accessible opportunities across education.

As part of our registration process, you'll need an enhanced DBS check and we'll need to see and copy your original qualifications before any placement. Teaching roles require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.