PA / Executive Assistant in Stevenage

The Ombuds Group is entering an exciting period of growth, development and transformation. As the organisation evolves, we are looking for a highly capable and proactive Executive Personal Assistant to provide first-class support to the CEO and wider Executive Team.

This is a varied and influential role requiring someone who can operate with discretion, sound judgement and a high degree of autonomy. You will help the CEO and Executive Team make the best use of their time, ensure priorities are followed through and provide coordination across a range of strategic and operational activities. We are looking for someone highly organised and comfortable working at pace, but who can also see the bigger picture, anticipate what is needed and take ownership without waiting to be asked.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality day-to-day support to the CEO, including complex diary and meeting management.
• Proactively manage priorities, identifying potential conflicts and ensuring the CEO's time is focused effectively.
• Coordinate meetings, travel, events and other arrangements as required.
• Manage correspondence, information and requests, exercising judgement over priorities and appropriate responses.
• Prepare agendas, briefing papers, presentations, reports and other documentation.
• Attend key meetings where required, taking accurate minutes, recording decisions and ensuring actions are followed through.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.

Executive Team & Governance Support

• Support the effective operation of the Executive Team, coordinating meetings, papers, actions and key deadlines.
• Maintain forward planners and ensure important business and governance activities are scheduled and completed.
• Coordinate information and contributions from senior colleagues ahead of meetings and key business activities.
• Support Board and governance activity as required, including preparation and circulation of papers and maintenance of accurate records.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, acting as an effective link between the CEO, Executive Team and wider business.

About You

You will be an experienced Executive Personal Assistant, Senior PA or similar professional who is comfortable supporting senior leaders. You will ideally bring:

• Previous experience supporting a CEO, Managing Director, Executive Team or other senior leaders.
• Exceptional organisational, planning and prioritisation skills.
• The ability to anticipate requirements and act proactively.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a changing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail while retaining an understanding of the bigger picture.
• Excellent judgement and the ability to handle confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Confidence communicating and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to challenge appropriately, follow up confidently and ensure commitments are delivered.
• Strong IT capability, including Microsoft 365, with confidence learning and using new technology and AI-enabled tools.
• Experience supporting projects, governance or Board activity would be advantageous.

Personal Style

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive, resourceful and solutions-focused.
• Highly organised and dependable.
• Calm and resilient when priorities change.
• Professional, approachable and emotionally intelligent.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership.
• Naturally curious and able to think ahead.
• Collaborative and able to build trusted relationships quickly.
• Comfortable operating in an organisation experiencing growth and change.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will mean the CEO and Executive Team have greater capacity to focus on strategic priorities, meetings and decisions are well organised and followed through, key actions do not lose momentum, and the wider Executive function operates with greater structure, efficiency and effectiveness.

Benefits

• Holiday Allocation: 25 days plus your birthday and bank holidays
• Company Pension Scheme: The People Pension 3%
• Free Parking
• Insurance Protection (Private Medical Health, Cash Plan & Life Assurance)
• Hybrid/Flexible working considered