Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the COO's diary, correspondence, and day-to-day activities with precision.
- Company: Chatham House, Europe's leading international policy think tank.
- Benefits: Enjoy 37 days annual leave, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of strategic decision-making in a dynamic and engaging setting.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as an EA with strong organisational and communication skills.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 40000 £ per year.
Chatham House, the Royal Institute for International Affairs, is the leading international policy think tank in Europe. We are seeking to hire an Executive Assistant (EA) to support our Chief Operating Officer (COO), Si Flanagan.
The EA will be primarily responsible for the management of the COO's diary, correspondence and support day-to-day activities. This is not a research role; the Executive Assistant will primarily focus on providing administrative support within the Director's Office.
What you will do:
- Proactively manage the complex and busy diary of the COO, ensuring that meetings and engagements are appropriately and sensitively prioritised and support the strategic direction of the institute.
- Ensure COO is fully prepared for all meetings and events, providing relevant papers and key talking points.
- Organise complex international and domestic travel, including hotel bookings, flights, airport transfers, visas and detailed itineraries.
- Act as a gatekeeper, representing the executive internally and externally and responding to queries to the Director's Office in a timely manner.
What we're looking for:
- Confident EA with proven experience in complex travel arrangements and diary management for C-Suite level principals.
- Strong administrative and organisational skills, and proven ability to identify priorities and actions efficiently and effectively.
- High emotional intelligence and able to tailor communication to the situation with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise competing demands, take initiative and anticipate needs and challenges, staying flexible when circumstances change.
Benefits:
Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.
Salary: £40,000 per year.
Contract: Full-time, Permanent. This role is expected to start in April 2026.
Location: Hybrid (Office/Home), usually 3-4 days in the office per week.
Application closing date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 23:59 GMT.
Interviews: Interviews will take place at Chatham House on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Westminster employer: Chatham House
Contact Detail:
Chatham House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections and let them know you're on the hunt for an Executive Assistant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at places like Chatham House.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the COO and the organisation. Understand their mission and values, so you can tailor your responses to show how you fit into their vision. We want to see that you've done your homework!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an EA, you'll need to be clear and concise. Try mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable articulating your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Executive Assistant role. Highlight your diary management and travel coordination expertise, as these are key for supporting our COO.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your personality and explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex schedules or handled high-pressure situations.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires excellent written communication, ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of errors. This is your chance to demonstrate your attention to detail and professionalism.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chatham House
✨Master the Diary Management
Since the role involves managing a complex diary, make sure to prepare examples of how you've successfully handled similar tasks in the past. Be ready to discuss your strategies for prioritising meetings and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
✨Know Your COO
Research Si Flanagan and Chatham House thoroughly. Understand their mission, recent projects, and any public statements. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting the COO's strategic direction.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an EA, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare to demonstrate your interpersonal skills by discussing how you've navigated challenging situations or communicated sensitive information in previous roles.
✨Be Travel Savvy
Since the job requires organising complex travel arrangements, come prepared with examples of your experience in this area. Discuss how you handle unexpected changes and ensure everything is in place for seamless travel experiences.