Personal Assistant to the Director of Development - CG4870

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Relocation assistance

Staff discount scheme

Free staff parking

Cycle to Work scheme

LinkedIn Learning access

34 Days Annual Leave

Job summary

University of St Andrews is seeking a highly organised Personal Assistant to provide executive support to the Director of Development in a fast-paced, internationally focused environment.

You will manage a complex schedule, coordinate senior-level meetings and international travel, and prepare briefing materials and correspondence while supporting engagement with alumni, donors and senior stakeholders globally. A line management role for the Development Assistant is included.

Qualifications

• Proven experience providing high-level executive support.
• Experience managing complex calendars and travel arrangements.
• Strong communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Proactive and organised with excellent judgement.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level executive support to the Director of Development.
• Coordinate complex schedules and international travel.
• Prepare briefing materials and correspondence.
• Support engagement with alumni, donors and senior stakeholders.
• Line manage the Development Assistant and ensure smooth administrative delivery.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Travel coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Discretion

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of St Andrews was named the UK's top university in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, reaffirming its position as one of the world's leading centres of learning, teaching and research. Through a global community of alumni, philanthropists and supporters, the Development Office secures the philanthropic investment that enables St Andrews to transform lives through education, research and innovation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Development Office at a pivotal time as the University advances its ambitious £300 million Making Waves campaign supporting scholarships, world-leading research, capital projects and sustainability initiatives.

We are seeking an exceptional Personal Assistant to provide high-level executive support to the Director of Development. Working in a fast-paced and internationally focused environment, you will play a central role in ensuring the effective operation of the Director's Office, acting as a trusted coordinator across a wide range of strategic activities.

This varied and rewarding role will involve managing a complex schedule, coordinating senior-level meetings and international travel, preparing high-quality briefing materials and correspondence, and supporting engagement with alumni, donors and senior stakeholders around the world. You will also provide line management and support to the Development Assistant (US), helping to ensure the smooth delivery of administrative support across the team.

The successful candidate will be highly organised, proactive and professional, with outstanding communication skills, exceptional judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities with discretion and confidence.

This is a rare opportunity to work closely with a senior leader at one of the world's leading universities and to contribute to a fundraising campaign that will shape the future of St Andrews for generations to come.

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work it is a place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we are committed to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at their best.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position, there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of St Andrews. The package for the Personal Assistant to the Director of Development includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
• Membership of the S&LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies, supporting work-life balance
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
• 34 Days Annual Leave plus 5 Public Holidays.

At St Andrews, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar of our University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and supportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity charters and awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race Equality Charter.

We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minority religions backgrounds and from LGBTQ+ and disabled people.

Closing Date: 23 October 2026 Interview Date: 2 November / 3 November

Please quote ref: CG4870LS

Job Description: CG4870LSFPs.pdf

Development

Salary: £32,080 - £37,694 per annum

Start Date: 01 December or as soon as possible thereafter