Executive Assistant

Our client, a leading UK real estate group with a national presence, recognised for its innovative approach, strong values and exceptional culture. The CEO’s office sits at the heart of the organisation, supporting a dynamic senior leadership team and enabling high-impact decision-making.

They are seeking an Executive Assistant to provide seamless support to the CEO during a 12-month maternity cover period. This role requires exceptional organisational skills, emotional intelligence, confidentiality and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment.

Location: City of London

Working Pattern: 4 days per week in the office, 1 WFH

Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm (40 hours per week, unpaid lunch hour)

Salary: £50,000 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 months)

Consultant: charley@lilyshippen.co.uk – Please direct all enquiries to Charley

Non-Negotiable Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience in EA support roles, including managing multiple senior leaders; C-suite experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with proven experience liaising with senior stakeholders and board-level executives.
• Previous corporate office management experience with responsibility for systems, processes, and operational standards.
• Proven large-scale event management experience, from planning to on-the-day execution.
• High levels of professionalism and strict confidentiality.
• Advanced proficiency across Microsoft Office Suite, including design and formatting expertise (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
• Strong emotional intelligence, with the ability to anticipate needs and manage sensitive situations.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a perfectionist approach to quality and presentation.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Assistant

• Full day to day management for the CEO and wider senior team (ad hoc), including scheduling, internal availability management and holiday tracking.
• Meeting and guest management, including visitor registration, hosting and onsite hospitality.
• Scheduling, coordinating, and servicing 8 regional board meetings quarterly plus monthly Board meetings.
• Company secretarial support (excluding minute taking) – managing board packs, collating and formatting papers and distributing materials.
• Managing expenses for the CEO.
• Occasional printing and binding of documents.
• Administrative duties including document formatting, agenda preparation and general organisational support.
• Managing CEO communications: proofreading, intranet posts, internal messaging and email drafting.
• Providing flexible assistance to the wider C-suite – including design tasks, ad-hoc admin, and diary support.

Events Management

• Lead on delivery of two major Group Functions (Summer and Christmas) for approx. 120 attendees.
• Oversee the annual Awards Event in February for approx. 800 attendees.
• Manage the Senior Team incentive trip (2-day event for c.120 attendees).
• Coordinate SLT strategy trips (two per year, approx. 30 attendees each).
• Produce and support additional smaller events, such as office drinks, meetings and offsites.

Charity Leadership

• Act as Company Charity Lead, coordinating initiatives across all regions.
• Communicate fundraising targets, track activity and ensure consistent reporting across the group.
• Lead on charity events including organisation-wide initiatives, event-based fundraising, Group Functions support, and the company’s flagship event (e.g. Sleep Out).
• Champion engagement and act as the central point of contact for all charity activity.

Office Management

• Line management of the Office Administrator.
• Oversight of all office operations, ensuring smooth day-to-day running of the London HQ.
• Manage purchase order and invoice processes, including approvals and submissions.
• Main point of contact for building management.
• Act as the “go-to” source of knowledge for internal queries, supporting an efficient and collaborative office environment.

Lily Shippen is a leading recruitment agency, specialising in executive support and business support recruitment. We connect top talent with exceptional opportunities across the UK and internationally. Our expertise spans Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, Office Manager, Chief of Staff, and HR recruitment, offering tailored solutions for businesses across various industries.

We recruit for permanent, temporary, and fixed-term contract roles across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Cheshire, and beyond. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity or looking to hire top talent, we’re here to help. If you’re an experienced Executive Assistant looking for a new challenge in a strategic, data-driven role, we would love to hear from you.