Head of Private Office to the Group CEO in London

We are seeking a highly professional, discreet and proactive individual to oversee the smooth, efficient and strategic running of the Group CEO's Office. Reporting to the Group Chief of Staff and Group Chief Governance Officer, you will manage complex programmes of activity, ensure exemplary diary and communications management, and act as a trusted conduit between the Group CEO and both internal and external stakeholders. You will coordinate resources across multiple sites, produce high-quality briefings and communications, commission analysis ahead of key engagements, and support governance requirements, including preparation of Board materials and provide a professional and personal administrative support of the Group CEO.

What you do

• Own the day-to-day operations of the Group CEO's Office, ensuring timely, professional communications and information flow.
• Provide high-quality executive and personal assistant support, prioritising and optimising the CEO's diary to maximise impact.
• Lead coordination of resources, facilities, events and travel across College and Trust sites; oversee high-profile visits.
• Draft, review and manage internal/external communications, working closely with the Communications team, support appropriate use of social media.
• Prepare concise briefings and reports; commission and synthesise analysis ahead of meetings and public engagements.
• Track and deliver strategic projects for the Group CEO and Directorate, monitoring progress and risks.
• Promote a "can do" customer-service culture, mentoring Executive Assistants and embedding effective digital processes.
• Horizon-scan across FE, HE and schools' policy; summarise implications for the Group CEO and leadership teams.
• Support governance and compliance, coordinating Board papers and ensuring follow-through on decisions.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and professional judgement in handling sensitive matters.
• Oversee non-pay budgets and expenses for the CEO and Directorate.
• Contribute to CRM development for stakeholder engagement and using this for effective communications.

About you

• Degree-level education (or equivalent experience).
• Significant experience in business operations within an educational or similarly complex organisation.
• Proven track record engaging senior decision-makers and influencing change.
• Leadership of administration/secretarial teams with multi-site coordination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; confident using social media professionally.
• Able to work in a highly pressurised environment and at pace.
• Able to use AI effectively and ethically and have innovative ways and ideas to embed in our systems and processes.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft 365 and adaptable to new systems.
• Methodical, organised and resilient—able to juggle multiple priorities and work to short deadlines.
• Able to move rapidly between detail and the big picture; present complex information clearly.
• Strong ambassadorial skills; discretion, integrity and confidentiality.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and the Nolan Principles of public life.

Working arrangements

This is a full-time role (1.0 FTE) based primarily at Bromley and Orpington with hybrid working and travelling across all school and college sites in SE London, Surrey and East Sussex. Evening/weekend working and occasional overnight stays may be required to support the Group CEO's schedule. UK Driving License is essential as travelling with and driving the Group CEO will be required.

About Us

Elevare Civic Education Group is the umbrella organisation that comprises our Group Organisations, London South East Colleges, London South East Academies Trust and Elevare Education Foundation. The Group rationale is borne from a shared mission, vision and values. It seeks to optimise governance alignment through a Group Strategy and provide efficiencies across the organisations. Built on charitable principles and a co-incidence of interest, the Group ethos is founded upon high-quality teaching and learning, the development of curriculum models fitting each school and cohort, and a core and bespoke school improvement strategy which focuses on our shared strength.

The strategic and operational working relationships between the College, Trust and Foundation have been established to optimise collaboration and integration - and to reflect both the next stage of our journey and our growing civic mission. Collectively the Group annual income is c£150m, delivering education to c16,000 students and employing over 2000 staff. Elevare – meaning to elevate or uplift – captures our mission to raise aspirations and opportunities, while Civic signals our responsibility and commitment to being an anchor institution, at the heart of our communities.

Working in the office that is the heart of the Elevare Civic Education Group, the postholder is a key and important officer who enables and supports strategic leadership across the Elevare Civic Education Group.

Benefits

We offer a very generous package of annual leave and provide up to two more additional College closure days throughout the year, and also offer leave for volunteering. Excellent pension schemes are offered, including employer contributions (Teachers' Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme or Nest). Other benefits include:

• Access to a company vehicle
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Free onsite parking
• Cycle to work/bike loan scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to the 'Discounts for Teachers' portal
• Free Wifi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide Eduroam
• Access to our onsite gym at Bromley, discounts in our in-house restaurants and on our hair and beauty treatments

Accreditations

As employers, we recognise and embrace our legal and quality-assurance framework responsibilities. We use these frameworks, as well as other accreditations and schemes, to further develop our development and progress of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We acknowledge that there is always more that we can learn and use these accreditations to provide us with an external lens and share/gain best-practice information.

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully-committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer, and creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status and/or marital/partnership status. As a Disability Confident-Committed employer, we will offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum job role criteria. If you have accessibility needs and/or require any adjustments for the application and interview process, please email us at peopleservices@lsec.ac.uk.

In line with KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) guidance we conduct social media checks for all candidates who are shortlisted for roles in order to ascertain their suitability to work with children and young adults. As the College supports a number of children and vulnerable adults, all staff are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Accordingly, all staff will be subject to an 'Enhanced' DBS (formerly CRB) check, along with a Children's Barred List check if in regulated activity. Any offers of appointment may be withdrawn if these checks prove to be unsatisfactory to the College. Self-disclosure will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you fail to make a full disclosure or provide sight of your DBS certificate then your offer of employment is likely to be withdrawn. The College's DBS policy covers the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available upon request.