Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Full-Time 28000 - 35000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support Deputy Directors in managing major events and projects with excellent organisational skills.
  • Company: Join a dynamic directorate focused on impactful project delivery and major events.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop your skills, and make a real difference in the community.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of exciting events and initiatives that celebrate and reflect on important moments.
  • Qualifications: Experience in diary management and supporting senior leaders is essential.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.

In the Project Delivery and Major Events directorate, we provide assurance and support to major projects, programmes, and policy initiatives across the department and Whitehall. Our work is wide ranging and includes:

  • Developing plans for Operation London Bridge (and other Bridge events)
  • Delivery of Ceremonial events like Remembrance Sunday and the recent VE/VJ Day celebrations
  • Delivery of the Covid Commemoration Programme including the Covid Commemoration Day of Reflection
  • Managing DCMS’s approach to incident response - activating in a crisis.
  • Being the home of the Department’s Project Delivery Centre of Excellence.

We pride ourselves on demonstrating excellence in the professions we work in—Project Delivery, Major Events, Crisis Response, and Policy. Our collective experience, skills, and capabilities enable us to deliver outstanding outcomes in our own work and provide robust assurance and support to projects and programmes. We are also committed to assisting in the delivery of both policy and corporate initiatives across the entire organisation.

We are a directorate that looks to identify and learn lessons from what has gone before and use that knowledge to support and lead improvements to how we respond, change and deliver in the future, both within DCMS, across Whitehall and with a wide range of external partners. We do that to support growth, opportunity and soft power influence across the United Kingdom, bringing people together to celebrate, reflect and remember. We also respond quickly to resilience and other challenges as well as support diverse projects across DCMS and our arms‑length bodies that support communities and enrich lives across the country.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Project Delivery and Major Events directorate who are recruiting an EO Executive Assistant to provide support to our Deputy Directors, particularly covering Major and Commemorative Events and Delivery & Resilience. This role requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work of your own initiative in a fast‑paced environment. Strong communication skills and a proactive approach are essential, as you will often need to anticipate needs and resolve issues before they arise.

Experience in diary management and supporting senior leaders is essential. A day working as an Executive Assistant could involve focusing on diaries in the morning, monitoring clashes and resolving them, discussing this if necessary with your Deputy Director. You’d be monitoring their inboxes to make sure any urgent work is immediately picked up and escalated or delegated as appropriate. You may then process supplier payments before working alongside the business manager, covering specific corporate functions like budget tracking. You might end your day by helping to assess grant applications, supporting the delivery of important meetings or assisting on a project to help us further professionalise our Project Delivery and Incident Response networks.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding role where you can make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates:

  • Previous experience as a Diary Manager, Executive Assistant or similar role and experience working with senior leaders and stakeholders.
  • Be highly organised and able to juggle competing priorities, often to tight timescales.
  • Excellent communication and engagement skills.
  • Experience of working well with others in a high‑pressure environment and ability to remain calm under pressure.
  • Great attention to detail, an ability to work at pace calmly while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Comfortable managing financial processes and systems.
  • Proficient Microsoft Office software skills.
  • Confident building strong personal relationships across a large and complex organisation.
  • A knowledge of, or desire to learn, business support processes.

Executive Assistant employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Join a dynamic and impactful team within the Project Delivery and Major Events directorate, where your role as an Executive Assistant will be pivotal in supporting major projects and commemorative events that resonate across the UK. We foster a collaborative work culture that values excellence, encourages professional growth, and offers unique opportunities to engage with high-profile initiatives while making a meaningful contribution to society. With a commitment to resilience and community enrichment, this position not only promises a rewarding career but also the chance to be part of something greater.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Contact Detail:

Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work in project delivery or major events. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its recent projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in what we do, and be ready to discuss how your skills can help us deliver outstanding outcomes.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! As an Executive Assistant, you'll need to convey information clearly and effectively. Try mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with articulating your thoughts.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Executive Assistant

Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Communication Skills
Diary Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Confidentiality
Financial Process Management
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Relationship Building
Project Support
Time Management
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in diary management and supporting senior leaders. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Executive Assistant, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!

Show Off Your Organisational Skills: Since this role is all about juggling priorities, give us examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. We love seeing candidates who can keep calm under pressure and still deliver outstanding results!

Communicate Clearly: Strong communication skills are key for this position. When writing your application, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language to convey your points, and don’t forget to demonstrate your proactive approach to problem-solving!

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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Culture, Media and Sport

✨Know Your Role Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Executive Assistant role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like diary management and supporting senior leaders. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.

✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities in previous roles. Think about times when you had to juggle multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Being able to articulate these experiences will highlight your organisational skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated with senior leaders and stakeholders in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to engage with others and build strong relationships.

✨Be Proactive and Solution-Oriented

The job requires a proactive approach, so think of instances where you've anticipated needs or resolved issues before they escalated. Share these examples during your interview to showcase your initiative and problem-solving skills. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle challenges effectively.

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