At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CEO by managing their diary, inbox, and meetings effectively.
- Company: Dynamic growing business with a focus on innovation and efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a chance to influence operations.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and close collaboration with senior management.
- Why this job: Take ownership and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a PA or EA with strong organisational skills.
Reading / Hybrid
Salary: £32,000–£38,000
Permanent, Full Time
1 day per week in the Reading office | 37.5 hours per week
The Opportunity
We are looking for an exceptionally organised, proactive and commercially aware PA to support the CEO of a growing business. This is not a traditional diary-management role. You'll be the person who knows what needs to happen, when it needs to happen, who is responsible and what needs chasing. If you're naturally organised, commercially switched-on and confident enough to take ownership, challenge when necessary and keep things moving, this could be an excellent opportunity.
What You’ll Be Doing
- CEO Diary & Priorities
- Take ownership of the CEO's diary and ensure his time is used effectively.
- Manage competing demands and make sensible decisions around priorities.
- Build preparation and follow-up time into the diary.
- Identify clashes, pressure points and potential problems before they become issues.
- Inbox & Action Management
- Support the CEO with a busy inbox, identifying priorities and ensuring important requests are dealt with.
- Maintain a clear list of outstanding actions, decisions and commitments.
- Follow up with senior colleagues and stakeholders to ensure deadlines are met.
- Confidently chase outstanding information and deliverables.
- Highlight anything overdue, blocked or requiring CEO intervention.
- Meetings & Follow-Up
- Coordinate meetings and ensure the right people and information are in place.
- Prepare briefing information and relevant documents ahead of meetings.
- Track actions and follow up afterwards to ensure agreed outcomes happen.
- Help establish a consistent and professional approach to CEO meetings.
- Reporting & Business Support
- Coordinate information and management reports from across the business.
- Ensure reporting deadlines are met and information is accurate.
- Maintain organised records and effective systems.
- Support the CEO with business and management administration.
- Identify ways to improve processes and reduce unnecessary administration.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is sharp, diligent and naturally proactive. You may currently be working as a:
- PA to a CEO, MD or senior executive
- Executive Assistant
- Senior Personal Assistant
- Office or Operations Manager with significant executive support experience
You’ll be someone who:
- Takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.
- Creates structure in a busy and changing environment.
- Follows things through and doesn’t allow actions to disappear.
- Is confident communicating with senior people and chasing deadlines.
- Has excellent attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.
- Is discreet and trustworthy when dealing with confidential information.
- Has strong commercial awareness and understands the pressures of running a business.
- Remains calm and organised when priorities change.
- Has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Is highly confident with Microsoft Office, email, calendars and business systems and able to learn new technology quickly.
The Personality Fit
This role will suit someone who is comfortable taking control. You shouldn’t need the CEO to tell you that something needs doing. You’ll be comfortable saying: “You have a meeting at 2pm. You need to review this beforehand, this action is still outstanding and I’ve chased Sarah for an update.” You’ll need the confidence to remind, challenge and push when appropriate, while having the judgement and emotional intelligence to know when to step in and when to step back. If you enjoy being the person who brings order, structure and accountability to a busy environment, you’ll thrive in this role.
What Success Looks Like
You’ll know you’re succeeding when:
- The CEO's diary is structured, realistic and under control.
- He is consistently prepared for important meetings.
- Actions and commitments are visible and followed through.
- Management reporting is received on time.
- Problems are identified before they reach the CEO.
- Operational detail is taken away from the CEO where appropriate.
- The CEO has more time and clarity to focus on strategic priorities and growing the business.
What’s On Offer
£32,000–£38,000 salary, depending on experience
Hybrid working – 1 day per week in the Reading office
Permanent, full-time position – 37.5 hours per week
Close exposure to the CEO and senior management team
A genuinely influential role within a growing business
The opportunity to improve and shape how the CEO and management team operate
A role where your organisation, judgement and initiative will have a visible impact
If you’re an experienced PA or EA who wants genuine responsibility rather than simply managing a diary, we’d love to hear from you.
PA TO THE CEO in Reading employer: Anderson Scott Solutions
Anderson Scott Solutions is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With hybrid working options and a competitive salary, employees benefit from private healthcare, generous annual leave, and continuous training opportunities, making it an ideal place for those looking to advance their careers in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PA TO THE CEO in Reading
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Anderson Scott Solutions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Anderson Scott Solutions.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace PA TO THE CEO in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Anderson Scott Solutions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Anderson Scott Solutions. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anderson Scott Solutions
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Anderson Scott Solutions, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Anderson Scott Solutions, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Anderson Scott Solutions could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Anderson Scott Solutions as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
