At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Chief People Officer and drive key people initiatives.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, a leader in scientific research.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits, including visa sponsorship and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping organisational culture.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Executive Assistant with strong organisational and communication skills.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to support our Chief People Officer (CPO) and play a pivotal role within the Crick’s People agenda. This is a role for a true partner. You will bring your exceptional organisational skills and judgement to connect, synthesise and translate priorities across the People function into clear, coordinated action, bringing clarity and momentum to a complex and evolving agenda.
A central focus of the role is enabling the CPO to operate at their most effective. You will take a proactive approach to shaping the CPO’s time and focus, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s highest priorities. This includes allowing for space for strategic thinking, anticipating pressure points, and constructively challenging where activity or requests do not support core objectives.
Operating across Board, Executive and People Leadership Team forums, your ability to navigate senior environments will ensure strong alignment between discussion and delivery. You will maintain clear connectivity between the CPO’s diary, leadership team agendas and Board priorities, joining the dots across strategic people initiatives, organisational goals and governance forums to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach.
You will also bring your experience of working with senior stakeholders to lead the development of high-quality materials for Executive and Board discussions, build trusted relationships, and act as a central point of integration across the People function, ensuring priorities are aligned and progress is driven forward. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated by shaping, influencing and progressing a complex organisational agenda.
You will be an experienced Executive Assistant, supporting senior, exec level leaders, with the confidence and capability to operate at a strategic level. You will be comfortable working closely with senior leaders, bringing structure, insight and challenge to support effective decision-making and delivery.
- Significant experience of providing EA support to senior leaders at executive level, ideally within a People/HR or corporate function.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesise complex information and identify key themes, risks and insights.
- Confidence in managing upwards, including the ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience preparing high-quality briefings, reports and presentations for Executive or Board audiences.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-impact activities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working within scientific research, academic, healthcare or complex organisational environments.
- Experience supporting People/HR functions or leadership teams.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional projects or initiatives.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.
Executive Assistant and Executive Project Manager employer: Crick Group
Contact Detail:
Crick Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant and Executive Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Crick Institute on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Executive Assistant role. Personal connections can give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising your responses to common questions. Think about how your organisational skills and experience align with the CPO's needs. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your achievements.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your proactive mindset! During interviews, share examples of how you've anticipated challenges in previous roles and how you tackled them. This will demonstrate your ability to support senior leaders effectively and keep things running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the Crick team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant and Executive Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience that aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can support our Chief People Officer and the broader People agenda.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role is all about keeping things organised, give us examples of how you've managed complex schedules or projects in the past. We love seeing how you bring clarity and momentum to busy environments!
Demonstrate Your Communication Skills: Your written communication needs to shine! Include examples of high-quality briefings or reports you've prepared for senior stakeholders. This will show us you're ready to handle the demands of executive-level discussions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at the Crick!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crick Group
✨Know Your CPO's Agenda
Before the interview, take some time to research the Chief People Officer's recent initiatives and priorities. Understanding their focus will help you demonstrate how your skills can directly support their agenda and show that you're proactive about aligning with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex schedules or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to synthesise information and prioritise tasks effectively, as this role demands exceptional organisational skills to keep everything running smoothly.
✨Prepare High-Quality Materials
Since you'll be expected to create briefings and presentations for senior stakeholders, bring samples of your previous work to the interview. This could include reports or presentations that showcase your ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use your strong interpersonal skills to engage them in conversation, ask insightful questions, and demonstrate your ability to navigate senior environments. This will show that you can build trusted relationships across various stakeholders.