Executive Assistant to CPO in Nottingham

We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded EA to support our Chief People Officer — someone who can go beyond coordination and actively drive outcomes. This role sits at the centre of our People function and plays a critical part in enabling strategic delivery across the business. You will operate as a trusted partner to the CPO, bringing structure, pace and clarity to priorities. Acting as an extension of the CPO, you will help shape agendas, drive actions, and ensure the People Leadership Team (PLT) are aligned.

What you’ll be doing

• Delivering best‑in‑class executive support — anticipating needs, solving problems, and driving execution.
• Act as a true right hand to the CPO, ensuring focus on the highest‑value priorities.
• Drive follow‑through on PLT actions, maintaining momentum and holding stakeholders to account.
• Create high‑quality presentations and materials for Board and executive‑level discussions.
• Translate ideas into structured outputs, turning strategy into clear, actionable plans.
• Identify issues early and proactively drive solutions, not just consolidate problems.
• Bring discipline to time, priorities and decision‑making across the CPO’s agenda.
• Act as a connector across the organisation, ensuring alignment and flow of information.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the primary interface for the CPO, engaging senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Proactively manage and optimise the CPO’s time, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities.
• Prepare high‑impact presentations, briefings and executive materials to a consistently high standard.
• Drive governance and rhythm for the People Leadership Team, including tracking actions and outcomes.
• Manage complex scheduling, travel and logistics.
• Build strong relationships across EA/PA, and leadership communities to enable delivery at pace.
• Respond to business‑critical queries with sound judgement and commercial awareness.
• Support delivery of key People initiatives by coordinating activity and ensuring execution.

What you’ll need to have (our must‑haves)

• Proven experience supporting a CPO, HR Director or senior executive in a large, matrixed organisation.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 capability — able to build clear, compelling, executive‑level narratives.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to prioritise based on business impact.
• A highly proactive approach — you anticipate, challenge and drive outcomes.
• Experience operating in a fast‑paced, high‑expectation environment with shifting priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging at senior levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with attention to detail and clarity.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism and trust.

It would be great if you also have

• Experience operating in a strategic support role.
• Track record of contributing to projects or transformation initiatives.
• Background supporting corporate functions within a retail or similarly complex organisation.

Where your brilliance can take you

At Boots, this role offers real exposure and influence. You will be part of shaping how the People function delivers against business priorities, with opportunities to grow your scope and impact over time.

Rewards designed for you

• Boots Retirement Savings Plan (up to 12% company contribution).
• Generous employee discounts for you and a family member.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay.
• Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.

A bit about us: At Boots, we’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, supported, and free to be themselves. We believe that when our people feel valued and included, they thrive, so we’re committed to creating a brilliant Boots for our people so they can make a difference for our customers and colleagues every time.

What’s next?

If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. Where a role is advertised as full‑time, we are open to discussing part‑time and job‑share options. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you be at your best. We hope to hear from you soon. Be brilliant with Boots.