Senior Executive Assistant

Senior Executive Assistant

Willingham Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the Chief Executive with diary management, communications, and project coordination.
  • Company: Join Cambridgeshire County Council, a diverse organisation dedicated to serving local communities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible bank holidays, additional leave options, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while gaining insight into public sector operations and leadership.
  • Qualifications: Experience as an Executive Assistant at Board level, preferably in the Public Sector.
  • Other info: Hybrid working available; applications close on 19 July 2025.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Our benefits include a comprehensive wellbeing package covering all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family. You can buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro-rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme. Bank holidays can be taken flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances. You can make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings. We provide access to development opportunities, apprenticeships, and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth. Paid volunteering hours each year allow you to make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day. Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity, and inclusion network is available. There are opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards. Our Cambs Rewards account gives you access to in-store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.

About the role: This is a rare opportunity to take on a pivotal role directly supporting the Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council. As a trusted and discrete individual, you will thrive on problem solving as well as managing competing priorities and keeping a cool head under pressure. Exemplary organisational skills, time management, and well-developed attention to detail are crucial for this role, supporting the Chief Executive to effectively lead the organisation to deliver the Council’s vision, ambition, and priorities. The role is based in our Headquarters of New Shire Hall in Alconbury Weald, with the ability to spend some time working on a hybrid basis.

What will you be doing? You will provide professional, proactive, and confidential executive support to the Chief Executive, enabling them to focus on organisational priorities. This will include diary management and planning, organising appointments and travel, managing email accounts and other communications, and supporting key meetings. You’ll also have the opportunity to support projects and work across the breadth of the Council, in addition to the regular but equally critical aspects of the role. You will report to the Corporate Business Manager and work alongside a team of Executive Assistants that form part of our centralised Executive Support Service. In addition, you will work closely with the Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive ensuring that matters relating to the Chief Executive are well co-ordinated and organised. You will line manage the Personal Assistant to the Leader of the Council, working together to ensure that matters that involve both the Chief Executive and the Leader are managed effectively.

About you: You’ll need to be a highly accomplished and capable Executive Assistant, with Board level or C-suite experience, ideally within the Public Sector. You will be proactive, well organised, and able to use your initiative to act on issues. You’ll be confident as an ambassador for the Chief Executive and as the primary point of contact for a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, working with others to build strong working relationships. Importantly, you’ll pride yourself on your communication and customer service skills.

About us: Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon, and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. We are Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, and focused on Excellence. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation, and our communities. If you don’t meet every single requirement in the job role but think this could be you, please don’t be put off. We are committed to building a workplace that is compassionate and inclusive as well as diverse, so if you think you could be a good candidate for this role please consider applying and speak to the recruiting manager if you have any questions.

Senior Executive Assistant employer: Cambridgeshire County Council

Cambridgeshire County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees. With a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible annual leave options, paid volunteering hours, and access to development opportunities, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and respect, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the community while supporting the Chief Executive in delivering the Council's vision.
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Contact Detail:

Cambridgeshire County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Executive Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Senior Executive Assistant, especially those related to supporting high-level executives. Understanding the nuances of diary management, travel planning, and communication will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former Executive Assistants in the public sector. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the specific challenges faced within Cambridgeshire County Council, which can give you an edge in your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing competing priorities and problem-solving under pressure. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully navigated similar situations, as this is crucial for the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Cambridgeshire County Council's recent initiatives and projects. Being knowledgeable about their current goals and challenges will not only impress during interviews but also allow you to tailor your responses to align with their vision and values.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Executive Assistant

Exemplary Organisational Skills
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Diary Management
Proactive Problem Solving
Confidentiality
Communication Skills
Customer Service Skills
Stakeholder Management
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Initiative
Team Collaboration
Project Support
Experience with C-suite or Board Level Support

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience as an Executive Assistant, especially any work with Board level or C-suite executives. Use specific examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In the supporting statement section of your application, clearly address how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description. Use concrete examples to showcase your problem-solving abilities and communication skills.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your exemplary organisational skills, time management, and attention to detail. Mention any experience you have with diary management, travel planning, and managing communications, as these are crucial for the role.

Showcase Your Values: Demonstrate your commitment to the values of collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence. Share experiences that reflect these values and how they align with the mission of Cambridgeshire County Council.

How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire County Council

✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills

As a Senior Executive Assistant, your ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully organised complex schedules or managed competing demands in previous roles.

✨Demonstrate Discretion and Professionalism

This role requires a high level of confidentiality and professionalism. During the interview, highlight situations where you've had to handle sensitive information or act as a trusted advisor, showcasing your ability to maintain discretion.

✨Emphasise Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are essential for this position. Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, and how you’ve built strong working relationships.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle pressure. Think about past experiences where you've had to think on your feet or resolve conflicts, and be ready to share those stories.

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