Senior Executive Assistant

Application Deadline: 15 February 2026

Department: Executive Office

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Compensation: £60,000 / year

Description

Salary: c. £60,000

Bonus: Discretionary

Location: Kings Cross, London (Tuesdays-Thursdays - 3 days in our office, Monday + Friday - anywhere)

About ARIA

ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on. We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale – from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Executive Assistant to provide high-quality, proactive support to two Executives, acting as a central coordinating point across the organisation. This is a trusted role requiring sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate confidently on behalf of senior leaders.

You will enable the smooth and effective running of the Executives’ day-to-day activities, including complex diary and inbox management, meeting coordination, and event planning. You will also work closely with teams across the Corporate Services function (including People Ops, Finance and Procurement) to ensure effective collaboration and alignment.

As a Senior Executive Assistant, you will exercise delegated authority responsibly, making decisions independently where appropriate and being accountable for those decisions. You will build strong working relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders, acting with professionalism, integrity and confidentiality at all times.

The role requires excellent communication skills and the confidence to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, both in writing and verbally, while maintaining tact and discretion. Occasional travel across the UK may be required to support senior leaders at meetings and events.

What you’ll do

• Providing comprehensive support to Executives, including complex diary and inbox management, travel arrangements, and general administrative tasks
• Acting as a central point of coordination across ARIA to help secure input, support and resources for projects and initiatives
• Managing correspondence and queries, including preparation and authorisation of expense reports where needed
• Working closely with the team to facilitate delivery by tracking actions, coordinating partners, and helping the team operate effectively
• Coordinating the Executives team meetings, including preparing agendas and papers, and tracking actions and follow-ups
• Working collaboratively with the Executive Assistant team to ensure consistency and alignment of processes across the organisation
• Providing cover for other EAs when required (e.g. during annual leave)
• Coordinating organisation-wide weekly team meetings and internal communications
• Receiving and directing visitors and acting as a professional point of contact for internal and external stakeholders

Who you are

• You will have significant experience working as an Executive Assistant in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with proven ability supporting senior leaders and managing complex diaries and correspondence effectively.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, being able to prioritise effectively and work to tight deadlines
• Strategic judgment, not just support with confidence in decision-making, with the ability to operate independently within delegated authority
• Proven stakeholder management skills and the ability to build effective working relationships at senior levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent Executives professionally to a wide range of audiences
• High attention to detail, adaptability, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach
• A strong commitment to integrity, demonstrated through transparent decision-making, ethical conduct, and accountability for actions and outcomes
• You will be proactive, commercially aware, and highly organised, with the ability to anticipate needs, “connect the dots,” and adapt quickly to shifting priorities

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
• Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
• Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave arrangements
• A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
• Life Assurance
• 2 days of paid volunteer days
• 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• An excellent office location in Kings X, London

Please submit your current CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for this role. We pride ourselves on reviewing every application personally. Please note that a cover letter is required for your application to be considered for the next stage.

Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility.