Personal Assistant

Merton College; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Merton College is seeking a Personal Assistant to support the Estates and Finance team. The role involves managing diaries, preparing documents, and solving daily challenges in a professional setting. The successful candidate will enjoy excellent benefits, including generous holiday, pension scheme, and free gym access.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Membership of the University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme

Free medical insurance

Free car parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free gym access

Organised activities (yoga, circuit training)

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Personal Assistant in a professional setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.

Responsibilities

• Manage busy diaries and solve day-to-day challenges.
• Prepare professional documents and maintain communication.
• Liaise with senior stakeholders and handle sensitive information.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Time management

Multitasking

Discretion

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title: Personal Assistant
Location: Merton College
Department: Estates and Finance
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £38,000 to £41,500 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Responsible to: Land Agent and Finance Bursar

Are you interested in joining our supportive and friendly team?
The Estates and Finance team are looking to recruit a Personal Assistant who enjoys tasks such as keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, managing busy diaries, and being the go-to person for solving day-to-day challenges.

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to prepare professional documents.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and document management systems.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to work independently and proactively with minimal supervision.
• Professional and approachable telephone manner responding with professionalism and courtesy.
• Proven experience as a Personal Assistant in a professional setting; discretion and trustworthiness in handling sensitive information.
• Experience in diary management in a busy office, liaising with a variety of senior internal and external stakeholders

Merton College
Merton College was founded in 1264, and is the third oldest College in Oxford. It is well-known for the outstanding achievements of its undergraduates, and the high performance of its graduates. The College is one of the largest mixed Colleges, with approximately 300 undergraduates and a similar number of graduates. It has a Governing Body of over 70 Fellows, supported by more than a hundred staff. More information on Merton College can be found on the website.

Excellent benefits:
In addition to the normal English bank and public holidays the successful candidate will be entitled to 30 days holiday.

The post holder is eligible for membership of the University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS), which is a contributory scheme, free medical insurance and free car parking is available. A loan is available for the purchase of seasonal travel passes and the College operates a Cycle to Work Scheme. The College has a gym, which is free to use for staff and there are a number of organised activities such as yoga and circuit training that are also free for staff.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9.00 am on Friday, 30 May 2025.

Merton College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.