Executive Assistant in Essex

Indicative Salary: £38k - £42k + benefits + 30 days annual leave entitlement

Responsible to: Business and Executive Support Manager

Hours: 35 hours per week

Key contacts:

• Be First Corporate Services
• Delivery & Development Teams
• Be First Board
• Programme Management Office and the Exec Team

Location: MAKE IT Barking, 3+ days a week in the office

Overall Purpose of Job:

Barking and Dagenham is at the heart of London’s eastward growth, attracting developers and investors to the most affordable and accessible opportunities in the whole of the Southeast. With 400 hectares of development land, we plan to provide 50,000 high quality new homes and 20,000 new jobs within the next 20 years. Be First is a wholly owned subsidiary of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. With an exciting programme of sustainable infrastructure, urban design and transport schemes planned over the next 10 years, the ambition is for the Borough to earn a reputation as the Green Borough of London.

The post holder is a detail orientated, proactive Executive Assistant – Compliance & Development with proven experience in compliance processes to support Be First’s Development Director and the governance function. They are an effective organiser, confident in maintaining high levels of accuracy and skilled at anticipating requirements in advance. Acting as a trusted partner, this role is integral to the smooth operation of day-to-day activities, enabling the Development Director to focus on strategic priorities. Given the nature of the position, the post holder must be comfortable working with senior managers and the Board, while handling highly sensitive information with discretion. This is a dynamic and engaging role that combines governance and administrative responsibilities and reports to the Business & Executive Support Manager.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities:

• Acting as gatekeeper and first point of contact for the Development Director
• Comprehensive and efficient calendar and inbox management
• Coordinate high level internal and external meetings, including booking meeting rooms, preparing agendas, arranging equipment or refreshments, taking minutes, and managing follow-up actions
• Arranging travel and accommodation
• Provide finance-related administrative support, including setting up new suppliers, raising purchase orders (POs), and processing invoices for payment
• Project Management: Assisting with, or leading, special projects and conducting research
• General administrative support to the Development Director and the Development Team
• Provide EA and admin cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave to ensure continuity of service
• End to end meeting support for key Be First meetings including the Be First Board
• Managing enquiries, complaints and Freedom of Information (FOIs) requests
• Coordinate logistics for offsites, board sessions and internal events
• Managing processes including Project Initiation Documentation and Microsoft Teams allocations
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative processes and systems
• Use AI tools and automation to improve workflow efficiency, reduce manual tasks, and support smarter ways of working

Personal Specification:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven track record as an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant supporting C-Suite or senior executives
• Must have previous experience supporting a Board and understanding governance processes
• Exceptional organisational, time-management, and multitasking skills with a keen eye for detail
• Flawless verbal and written communication skills
• Able to react to changing requirements
• Shows great dexterity in the works they undertake
• Proactive, adaptable, and able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to handle highly sensitive, confidential information
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience using viewpoint, Salesforce or HR systems (Desirable, not essential)
• Knowledge of UK construction best practice would be desirable
• Collaborative team player who builds constructive relationships across the organisation
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience working independently and making informed decisions without close supervision
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Exposure to AI/automation tools to enhance administrative workflows

Application Closing Date: 29th May 2026