Senior Executive Assistant

TN United Kingdom; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a Senior Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to the Principal & CEO. This role is pivotal in managing complex schedules, coordinating communications, and ensuring the smooth operation of the Executive office. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional administrative skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. With a commitment to excellence, this position offers the chance to contribute significantly to the college's strategic goals in a dynamic environment. Join a team dedicated to inspiring and shaping the future of education.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Automatic enrolment into Local Government Pension Scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Discounts with various retailers

Free onsite car parking

Qualifications

• Proven track record of providing executive-level administrative support.
• Excellent communicator with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex schedules and coordinate communications for the Principal & CEO.
• Draft and proofread key documents ensuring clarity and professionalism.

Skills

Administrative Support

Communication Skills

Time Management

Discretion

Organizational Skills

Education

Level 4 qualification in administrative discipline

Literacy and numeracy Level 2 qualification

Job description

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Salary: £36,658 per annum (Professional Services Grade 10)

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Closing Date: Tuesday 20th May 2025

Wiltshire College & University Centre have a great opportunity for a Senior Executive Assistant to join our team.

About Us:

Wiltshire College & University Centre plays a vital role in Wiltshire’s economy, inspiring people to develop the skills they need to achieve. Our four main campuses are learning hubs in their communities, and we aspire to be an outstanding, financially robust and commercially agile provider, achieving our clear social mission on behalf of learners and employers across Wiltshire and beyond. Our campuses deliver a diversity of facilities from the country estate and farm of our Lackham campus to new hi-tech digital and state of the art facilities at our Trowbridge, Salisbury and Chippenham sites. We have invested £65 million in our estate over the past 10 years. Our turnover is £45 million per annum and growing, we employ some 650 staff, and support around 11,500 students.

Senior Executive Assistant – The Role:

Wiltshire College & University Centre is seeking a highly organised and dedicated Senior Executive Assistant to deliver outstanding support to our Principal & Chief Executive Officer. This key role is essential to the smooth running of the Executive office, providing high-level strategic support in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

You will act as a trusted liaison between the Principal & Chief Executive Officer and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, managing complex schedules, preparing briefing materials, coordinating communications, and ensuring the efficient flow of information. In addition to supporting the Principal & Chief Executive Officer directly, you will also work closely with the Director of Governance & Compliance and members of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to effective decision-making and the achievement of strategic priorities across the college.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with excellent judgement, discretion, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Your commitment to excellence and attention to detail will play a significant role in supporting the continued success and development of Wiltshire College & University Centre.

This role has become available as the current post holder is retiring after 21 years of dedicated service.

As Senior Executive Assistant, your role will be varied and rewarding, providing high-level support across a wide range of responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Principal & CEO to manage a busy diary, coordinate meetings, handle correspondence, and serve as the primary point of contact to effectively manage time and priorities.
• Support the Director of Governance & Compliance to coordinate meetings, assist with training and events, and step in during absences to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Represent the Principal & CEO and Senior Leadership Team professionally providing a welcoming presence to staff, stakeholders, and visitors, ensuring excellent customer service.
• Draft, review, and proofread key documents to ensure all communications are clear, well-presented, and reach the intended audience.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and ensure timely follow-up.
• Manage agendas, draft minutes, and ensure all logistics are in place for events chaired or hosted by the Principal & CEO.
• Manage records, track progress on key projects, arrange travel and logistics, oversee budgets for the Senior Leadership Team and continuously seek ways to improve systems and processes.

Senior Executive Assistant – You:

We are seeking an individual with exceptional administrative skills who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will:

• Have a proven track record of providing executive-level administrative support.
• Be an excellent communicator, both in writing and verbally, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Be highly professional and trustworthy, handling sensitive matters with discretion and confidentiality.
• Be flexible, adaptable, and capable of working across different college sites to meet the needs of the Principal & CEO.

Essential Qualifications

• To hold a Level 4 qualification or equivalent in a relevant administrative discipline.
• To hold a Literacy and numeracy Level 2 qualification (GCSE A-C or equivalent).

At Wiltshire College & University Centre, we are committed to providing a positive and supportive environment where staff can thrive. As the Senior Executive Assistant, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our college leadership team, helping to shape the college’s strategic direction and support the achievement of our goals.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in an educational institution, we encourage you to apply.

• 30 days annual leave for Professional Service Staff plus bank holidays and additional closure days over the Christmas period
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Discounts with a wide variety of retailers
• Free onsite car parking

Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children’s barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.

PLEASE NOTE: Your Application Form will be shortlisted against how your skills, qualifications and experience match the Essential and Desirable points on the Person Specification for this role, located as a downloadable document at the bottom of this page.

To submit your application for this exciting Senior Executive Assistant opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now.