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- Tasks: Provide high-quality support to the CFO and manage various administrative tasks.
- Company: Join a vibrant family of independent schools in beautiful Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, free lunches, and discounts at 130,000 locations.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team that values kindness, confidence, and innovation.
- Qualifications: Exceptional organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Other info: Permanent part-time role with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 19779 - 19779 £ per year.
Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools are currently recruiting for a Personal Assistant (PA) to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the Finance Department on a permanent basis from May 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre-employment check). The post holder will work 21.75 hours per week (equivalent to 0.6FTE), with a pro rata salary of £19,779 per annum.
If you have exceptional organisational skills and the ability to efficiently manage a multitude of competing priorities in a complex environment, this role could be for you. The role of the PA will provide high-quality, proactive and confidential executive support to the CFO ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the CFO’s office, enabling the post holder to focus on strategic leadership across finance, business operations, estates, HR, commercial activities and organisational governance.
Other key responsibilities include:
- Assisting the coordination of governance processes, including scheduling, document collation and version control for statutory, regulatory and audit-related activities.
- Act as a first point of contact for the CFO's office, communicating professionally and effectively to all key internal and external stakeholders, including senior and executive leaders of the School, external partners, auditors, regulators, insurers and commercial contracts.
- Assist with the organisation of strategic projects, workshops, consultations and planning sessions led by the CFO.
- Prepare, administer and maintain a wide range of digital and physical records and documents to a professional, high standard.
This role is a permanent, on-site role and requires a high level of flexibility, responsiveness and ability to manage sensitive and complex matters. Occasional overtime may be required as agreed with your line manager in advance.
ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Staff are offered a range of benefits including: a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, family friendly policies, use of the Schools’ swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours, membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations.
We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role modelling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community. ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people therefore all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday 10 April, 2026. We anticipate interviews will be held shortly after.
Welcome to the ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co-educational nursery and junior school, single-sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co-educational sixth form. We are a consistently award-winning School, with an educational legacy that stretches back more than 300 years. Our Schools have always been pioneers of rounded education. Children’s education is underpinned by our values: kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity. From virtual reality headsets in the classroom to developing one of the first outdoor learning programmes in Scotland, we are always searching for new ways to develop the whole child. The people that work for us are passionate, pioneering and strive for excellence in everything they do. We value the incredible contributions they make to school life, we invest in their careers and we support their ambitions so that they flourish professionally and personally.
Employees get access to a range of benefits including: Fee remission from Nursery to S6, Free school lunches, Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites, Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave, Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations, Employee Assistance Service, Cycle to work scheme, Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme, Annual professional review process, Regular salary reviews, Funding towards professional qualifications.
Personal Assistant to Chief Financial Officer employer: George Watson'S College
Contact Detail:
George Watson'S College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant to Chief Financial Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector or even those who work at ESMS. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the CFO and the finance department. Knowing their recent projects or challenges can help you stand out and show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your organisational skills! Since this role requires managing multiple priorities, consider setting up mock scenarios where you juggle tasks and demonstrate how you’d handle them efficiently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the ESMS family.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant to Chief Financial Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Personal Assistant role. Highlight your organisational skills and experience in managing multiple priorities, as these are key for supporting the CFO effectively.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be the first point of contact for the CFO's office, it's crucial to demonstrate your professional communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this skill.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Include any previous experience that aligns with the responsibilities listed in the job description, such as coordinating governance processes or managing sensitive information. This will show us you're ready for the challenges of the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people and helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at George Watson'S College
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant to the CFO. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as managing competing priorities and coordinating governance processes. This will help you demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a PA, exceptional organisational skills are crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised these tasks and maintained high standards, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Professionally
Since you'll be the first point of contact for the CFO's office, it's essential to convey professionalism during the interview. Practice clear and concise communication, and think about how you would handle interactions with various stakeholders. This will show that you can represent the CFO effectively.
✨Embrace ESMS Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of ESMS: Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity. Think of ways you can embody these values in your work and share relevant examples during the interview. This will demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the school's culture.