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- Tasks: Provide top-notch PA support to senior directors, managing diaries and travel arrangements.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leading research and innovation organisation with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days of annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be the backbone of a dynamic team, making a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience supporting senior managers are essential.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and enjoy a great work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Salary: £30,895 per annum
Band: UKRI Band C
Contract Type: Fixed Term (14 months)
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Location: While UKRI supports hybrid working, the postholder will be required to attend one in-office team day per week at Polaris House in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Closing Date: 7th December 2025 (Please note: if we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert early).
Proposed Interview Date: Interviews are likely to be week commencing 15th December 2025.
About The Role
Are you highly organised and eager to support world-class research? Join UKRIs Infrastructure Team as a Personal and Project Assistant, helping deliver our £350m+ Infrastructure Fund and Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) programmes. You\’ll provide vital administrative and project support, including diary management, event coordination, and team planning.
About The Team
Our small, agile team leads UKRIs strategic approach to investing in transformative research infrastructures and manages these as a portfolio. We work across UKRI and government to shape policy and support colleagues on issues vital to a thriving research and innovation ecosystem.
As an organisation, we tackle some of the biggest questions in the universe to solve the worlds greatest challenges, the infrastructure we deliver underpins this mission. You\’ll join a collaborative community that values learning, sharing knowledge and supporting one another.
This is an exciting time to come on board as we refresh our Infrastructure Roadmap and respond to growing interest in Digital Research Infrastructure.
Your Responsibilities
- Diary Management for senior members of the team, primarily two senior Programme Directors and the Portfolio Director, using Microsoft Outlook. This includes scheduling, rescheduling, and cancelling appointments, as well as coordinating larger meetings for the team when required.
- Manage domestic and international travel and accommodation logistics, prepare itinerary packs, and aid in the processing of travel and subsistence expenses claims.
- Support with event planning and delivery, book venues and catering, prepare agendas, follow up on actions, provide reception duties and host visitors, such as for the Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IAC) and Advisory Group for DRI (AGD) meetings.
- Offer administrative support for corporate governance functions such as the UKRI Investment Advisory Working Group (IAWG).
- Take minutes and action points at meetings when required.
- Provide administrative support to the team.
- Lead weekly team meeting preparations: prepare agendas, assign chairs and capture action notes.
- Manage the teams shared mailboxes, including monitoring, triaging and responding to emails.
- Produce and format documents such as letters, project reports and spreadsheets using Microsoft Word and Excel (e.g reporting templates).
- Maintain critical team planning and project documents (e.g. project plans, communication plans).
- Drive process improvements to enhance team efficiency (e.g. developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures).
- Keep the team informed of organisation-wide operational updates.
- Collaborate with colleagues on ad hoc administrative tasks and contribute to wider infrastructure portfolio and policy work as needed.
- Opportunity to lead and take ownership of key team-wide administrative improvements, with support and collaboration from the team.
Essential Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Strong organisational and time management skills. An ability to plan and adapt priorities depending on the situation and handle competing pressures whilst remaining calm and professional. (S/I)
- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently without compromising on quality. (S/I)
- Computer literate with sound capabilities in Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and the ability to use document management systems such as SharePoint. (S)
- Confident and courteous communicator, able to engage effectively with individuals at all levels from a range of backgrounds. (S/I)
- Responsible and reliable, demonstrating sound judgement and the confidence to decide what needs the personal attention of a director and which can be managed independently. (S/I)
- Proactive and self-motivated, with a positive, proactive and collaborative approach towards work and team dynamics. (S/I)
- Flexible and adaptable, comfortable working across a varied and evolving portfolio of tasks and responsibilities. (S/I)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees\’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A List Of Benefits Below
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days\’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
- Flexible working options
Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For Further Information On Our Benefits Please See
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact LNKD1_UKTJ
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Personal Assistant employer: Innovate UK
Contact Detail:
Innovate UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or other platforms. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Personal Assistant role, and who knows? They might just have the perfect lead for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and the people you'll be meeting. Show them you understand their values and how you can contribute to their team. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. As a PA, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks and communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Try mock interviews with friends to sharpen your verbal skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Tailored CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in managing complex diaries and email accounts. We want to see how you've excelled in similar roles, so tailor it to showcase your relevant skills!
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Personal Assistant role. Mention your proactive approach and how you handle pressure – we love that!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure to demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills in your application. Attention to detail is key, so proofread everything!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Innovate UK
✨Master the Diary Management
Showcase your skills in managing complex diaries during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully prioritised and organised schedules for busy executives, highlighting your time management prowess.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Bring along examples of written correspondence you've handled, and be ready to discuss how you maintain professionalism in all interactions.
✨Demonstrate Discretion
Confidentiality is crucial for this position. Be prepared to discuss scenarios where you've had to handle sensitive information discreetly. This will show that you understand the importance of trust in a PA role.
✨Be a Team Player
Highlight your collaborative skills by sharing experiences where you've worked effectively within a team. Discuss how you support colleagues and contribute to team projects, as this role requires flexibility and teamwork.