Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO Office

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation that improves health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We are committed to spend £16bn over the next ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and tackling mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. The CEO Office supports the delivery of Wellcome's mission by maximising the CEO's time on the highest-impact priorities and engagements, ensuring robust governance and effective decision-making across the organisation. The team also enables the Chair and Governors to fulfil their roles with clarity and confidence.

Core responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality executive support to the Chief of Staff and senior leaders, managing complex diaries and inboxes to ensure priorities are delivered effectively.
• Coordinate busy and often changing schedules for senior leaders, balancing competing demands across the CEO Office and wider organisation.
• Plan and manage internal and external meetings, travel and logistics, supporting effective engagement with senior stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, accurate and timely documents, briefings and Board-level papers to enable informed decision-making.
• Contribute to priority projects and governance processes, ensuring smooth coordination, follow‑up actions and delivery of key initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the wider team and the EA/PA community to maintain effective ways of working, provide cover during peak periods, and contribute to an inclusive, high‑performing environment.

Candidate profile:

We are looking for an experienced and highly organised Executive Assistant with a proven track record of supporting senior leaders in fast‑paced environments and managing complex, high-volume priorities with discretion. The ideal candidate brings strong communication, stakeholder management and IT skills, along with the ability to exercise sound judgement and deliver high-quality work.

Minimum Criteria:

• Proven experience supporting senior leaders (SLT/Director level) in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex, high‑volume calendars, including competing priorities and frequent changes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to a high standard.

Application questions:

Using examples, provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description (up to 500 words). Using short summaries, provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project, describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity, and the major contributions you personally made (up to 250 words each).

Hybrid work arrangement:

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment. At Wellcome we adopt a hybrid approach: 3 days in the Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and the remaining 2 days working remotely or in the office.

Diversity and inclusion:

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Flexible working options are available for all roles and adjustments can be made for people with disabilities or long-term conditions.

Criminal record checks:

Upon a conditional offer, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (or equivalent) criminal record check to disclose any unspent criminal convictions or conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.