Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) and Director of Membership [...]

Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) and Director of Membership [...]

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Institute of Physics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide high-quality support to the Group CFO and Director of Membership & Inclusion.
  • Company: Join the Institute of Physics, a friendly and inclusive organisation dedicated to promoting physics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, generous leave, and excellent health benefits.
  • Other info: Flexible working model with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while supporting leaders in a dynamic and ambitious environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Personal Assistant with strong organisational and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) exists to help our lives, our society and our planet through promoting physics applications and supporting the people behind it. Working alongside our members and leaders from across the physics community and beyond, we’ve identified three priorities that will shape our work over the next five years: Skills, Science and Society. These priorities sit at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud of our ambitious and forward‑looking 2024 – 2029 strategy.

We’re currently looking for a Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer and Director of Membership & Inclusion, offered on a fixed‑term basis until the end of January 2027 as maternity cover, to help us deliver our mission. This is a part‑time role (0.8 FTE, 28 hours per week, worked across four days Monday to Thursday), with an ideal planned start date in mid‑June 2026.

What’s it like working at the IOP? The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package. Some of our benefits include:

  • An excellent pension scheme
  • Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance etc
  • Eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards and access to an employee assistance programme
  • 25 days’ annual leave as a standard, in addition to floating bank holidays
  • Flexible working opportunities

The Role

You will provide high‑quality Personal Assistant support to the Group CFO and the Director of Membership & Inclusion, ensuring their time is managed effectively and enabling them to deliver against the IOP’s strategic priorities. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Managing complex diaries, ensuring effective prioritisation of commitments and forward planning
  • Coordinating meeting preparation, including collating briefings and papers to the required standard and timelines
  • Providing professional administrative support, triaging communications and tracking actions
  • Booking and coordinating travel and accommodation arrangements
  • Processing expenses and invoices accurately and in a timely manner
  • Supporting meetings through agenda setting, minute taking and action tracking
  • Maintaining accurate filing systems and CRM records

Projects you may work on include:

  • Supporting the planning and coordination of meetings, events and engagements involving the Group CFO and Director of Membership & Inclusion
  • Ensuring accurate and timely preparation of documentation and briefings for internal and external meetings
  • Undertaking ad hoc administrative and coordination tasks to support CEO Office priorities

Who will I work with?

You’ll work closely with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders, including:

  • The Executive Assistant to the Group CEO & President and fellow PAs in the CEO Office Team, working collaboratively to ensure high‑quality support across the Executive Team
  • Members of the Executive Team, Leadership Team and colleagues across the IOP
  • Internal and external stakeholders, requiring professional communication, discretion and attention to detail

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring:

Essential:

  • Significant experience as a Personal Assistant or senior administrative support in a fast‑paced environment
  • Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and accurate documentation
  • Strong IT skills, including confident use of Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Nice to have:

  • Experience of working in a governance, membership or similar organisational environment
  • Experience using CRM systems and maintaining accurate data records
  • A professional qualification as a Personal Assistant or Executive Assistant

How will I be working?

We operate a flexible, trust‑based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in‑person collaboration. You will be assigned a base office, with hybrid working offered as standard. This role does, however, involve regular working every week at our head office. You will engage in regular in‑person collaboration with your team (as operationally appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working. As an organisation we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London. We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help.

Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.

Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) and Director of Membership [...] employer: Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is an exceptional employer that prioritises diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. With a flexible working model, competitive pay, and a generous benefits package including private medical insurance and a robust pension scheme, IOP fosters a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Located in the vibrant Kings Cross area of London, employees enjoy a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and engagement with the physics community.

Institute of Physics

Contact Detail:

Institute of Physics Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) and Director of Membership [...]

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the physics community or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the IOP’s priorities and values. Show us how your skills align with their mission, especially around Skills, Science, and Society.

Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! As a Personal Assistant, you’ll need to convey information clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.

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 you’re serious about joining the IOP team.

We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant to the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) and Director of Membership [...]

Diary Management
Organisational Skills
Prioritisation Skills
Attention to Detail
Written Communication Skills
Verbal Communication Skills
Microsoft 365 Applications

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Personal Assistant. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Show Off Your Skills:We want to see your organisational and communication skills shine through. Include specific examples of how you've managed complex diaries or coordinated meetings in your previous roles.

Be Professional Yet Personable:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re a friendly team, and we value a good cultural fit just as much as qualifications.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role!

How to prepare for a job interview at Institute of Physics

Know Your Role Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant to the Group CFO and Director of Membership. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like managing complex diaries and coordinating meetings. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how your experience aligns with their needs.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

During the interview, be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Highlight your attention to detail and organisational skills, as these are crucial for the role. Consider discussing a time when you had to juggle competing demands and how you handled it.

Communicate Professionally

Since you'll be liaising with various stakeholders, it's essential to exhibit strong communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask about the IOP's strategic priorities, showing your genuine interest in their mission and values.

Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. For instance, they might ask how you'd handle a last-minute change in a meeting schedule. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you could face in the role and how you would address them effectively.