At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Executive Director by managing their diary, meetings, and travel arrangements.
- Company: Join Arts Council, a leader in promoting arts and culture in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a final salary pension scheme.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse workplace committed to inclusion and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact behind the scenes in a dynamic arts environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a PA or in senior admin roles with strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 28662 - 28662 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, working 21 hours per week. Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility.
Salary: £28,662 (pro rata) per annum Grade E plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.
Location: Bristol (The role will be based in Bristol; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week).
We're looking for an exceptional Personal Assistant to provide high-quality support to our Executive Director of Public Policy and Communication. You'll help ensure the Executive Director is able to focus on strategic priorities by expertly managing a busy diary and inbox, coordinating complex meetings, preparing itineraries, organising travel, overseeing the Executive Director's discretionary budget and financial administration, including expenses and corporate card management, and ensuring actions are followed through.
Working closely with teams across Public Policy and Communication, as well as colleagues throughout Arts Council England, you'll play a key role in supporting effective decision-making and helping the Executive Director operate smoothly. If you're someone who enjoys solving problems, anticipating what's needed before being asked and making a real difference behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you.
Role Details: You’ll be trusted to exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and build strong relationships with colleagues and external partners alike. On behalf of the Executive Director, you’ll coordinate meetings and events, manage administrative processes, support budget monitoring and ensure the smooth running of the Executive Director's diary, as well as providing occasional administrative support to the Communication Directors who report to the Executive Director.
You’ll also build productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the Executive Director is well prepared and supported across a varied programme of work.
We're looking for someone who brings substantial experience in a senior administrative or PA role, excellent organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail. You’ll be a confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills, able to work independently while handling sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
Key skills for this role include:
- Significant experience providing PA or executive support at a senior level.
- Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong judgement, discretion and the ability to handle confidential information.
- Confidence building effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
- A proactive, flexible approach and a willingness to support a broad range of work.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.
If you are disabled, Evenbreak are able to provide support with your application. We participate in the Offer an Interview scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they're applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.
About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme.
Job reference: AC20
Closing date: 09:00am, 17 August 2026
Interviews: (virtual) 09 September 2026
PA to Executive Director, Communications and Public Policy (AC20) employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises inclusivity and creativity. With flexible and hybrid working arrangements based in Manchester, employees are empowered to manage diverse projects while receiving ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the arts education sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people through the arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PA to Executive Director, Communications and Public Policy (AC20)
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We think you need these skills to ace PA to Executive Director, Communications and Public Policy (AC20)
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 Arts Council England.
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 Arts Council England. 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 Arts Council England
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Arts Council England, 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 Arts Council England, 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 Arts Council England 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 Arts Council England as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
