Executive Assistant

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting edge defence technology to ground breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as an Executive Assistant, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

Role Purpose

To provide professional business support to the CPO (Chief People Officer) in managing the day‑to‑day operations and key functional deliverables of the CPO office. Primary purpose will be supporting the CPO at a high pace with multiple requirements, often with a degree of complexity/sensitivity with a number of stakeholders across the QLT (QinetiQ, Leadership Team), Board members, senior leaders and employees.

This role will also have responsibility for professional diary/time management to include building‑in deliverables, deadlines and regular meetings. To prioritise, develop responses and distribute emails and correspondence received. Establish and maintain HR administrative systems and functional processes/meeting governance and cadence, which ensure appropriate availability of information as well as document storage and retrieval, along with the appropriate management of confidential, strategic, personal and business‑critical information.

Key Accountabilities – EA to Chief People Officer

• Point of contact for Chief People Officer for internal and external stakeholders such as Executive Search Companies, third‑party providers, and interactive effective with all parties.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with highly developed attention to detail.
• Ability to draft correspondence for approval on behalf of Chief People Office.
• Strong proof‑reading skills and ability to understand and query.
• Excellent memory with ability to fact check quickly and accurately.
• Highly effective planning and organising, including active and initiative‑led de‑confliction of appointments. Forward planning for Board meetings, Remuneration Committee, SSA Board (Compensation Committee) and other reports and deliverables.
• Ability to work well under pressure, managing constantly changing schedule and priorities.
• Manage/escalate/delegate issues with clear instructions/deadlines when required. Follow up on actions to ensure completion.
• Ensure preparation for meetings and compilation of essential material is provided in advance. Follow up on actions arising.
• Direct daily itinerary prompting/alerting of subsequent meeting/diary commitments.
• Attend and be secretary for People Council meetings.
• Attend and be secretary for UK Leadership Team meetings.
• Management and support of processing for expenses, purchase orders, team holidays for the Chief People Officer.

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

• Absolute discretion, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
• Loyal, confident, self‑aware, and with sound judgement.
• Professional and credible.
• Highly motivated, a self‑starter with initiative and capable of working with minimal supervision.
• Flexible, approachable, friendly & adaptable nature.
• Be a strong team player; be able to communicate and interact effectively with the team and other EAs/PAs.
• Pro‑actively solve problems where appropriate.

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in an Executive/Personal Assistant role at a high level within industry.
• Demonstrable written and verbal skills.
• Experience of working in HR/People and/or with Board stakeholders desirable but not essential.
• Appropriate proficiency in MS Office, including MS Teams.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ…

…Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community.

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk)