At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide exceptional support to senior executives and manage complex stakeholder relations.
- Company: Dynamic university with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension scheme, holiday allowance, gym access, and professional training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the key support for leaders in a vibrant educational environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in an Executive Officer or Personal Assistant role with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with excellent career development prospects.
The predicted salary is between 35608 - 37694 £ per year.
Full Time: 1.0fte - 37 hours per week
Salary range £35,608 to £37,694 per annum
About this role
We are looking for a highly organised, detail‑driven individual passionate about delivering exceptional support. Acting as the first point of contact for the Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide a high level, proactive, effective, and agile executive service. Offering a welcoming, personable, and professional approach and the ability to adapt to and interact with all levels of staff, students and external parties.
About you
You will need to be an excellent communicator, who can effectively and proactively take responsibility for managing multiple and complex stakeholder relations, filtering enquiries, prioritising tasks and working in a flexible and collegiate manner using a high degree of tact, sensitivity and confidentiality. Our Executive Officers need a particularly elevated level of awareness of the University’s business, its processes and corporate policies, including a strong understanding of the wider higher education sector to fully support the COO and CFO in their roles. This includes being strategically perceptive with the ability to interact with and influence others to help achieve objectives and agree arrangements. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their skills and previous experience of working in an Executive Officer or Personal Assistant role (or similar relevant experience).
Benefits
- Defined Benefit pension schemes via our provider the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Your own monthly contributions are enhanced with employer contributions and a substantial automatic lump sum life cover scheme enhancement.
- A paid closure period over the Christmas break is in addition to our generous holiday allowance with bank holidays too and an occupational sickness scheme.
- There’s also an on‑site gym at our Chichester campus; a cycle purchase salary sacrifice scheme; subsidised bus travel between our Bognor and Chichester campuses and Chichester town centre; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to support our staff and extensive personal/professional training opportunities throughout the year.
Enquiries are welcomed by Claire Thorn, Chief Financial Officer on c.thorn@chi.ac.uk
Key Dates
- Closing Date: Monday 12 January 2026
- Interview Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026
You can view the full job profile in the attachment link above. Prior to submitting your job application kindly ensure you have considered and can demonstrate your right to work in the UK. If you require any support with completing your application please contact the recruitment team; staffrecruitment@chi.ac.uk
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at every level because we believe a diverse workforce benefits us all.
Executive Officer in Chichester employer: University of Chichester
Contact Detail:
University of Chichester Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Officer in Chichester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles, especially those who have worked with the COO or CFO. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the university's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of the higher education sector and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role requires excellent interpersonal abilities, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. Get comfortable discussing your experience and how it aligns with the job requirements.
✨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 the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Officer in Chichester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills: As an Executive Officer, being organised is key! Make sure your application highlights your ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you’ve successfully juggled responsibilities.
Communicate Clearly: We’re looking for excellent communicators, so ensure your written application is clear and concise. Avoid jargon and keep your language professional yet personable. This will show us that you can interact well with various stakeholders.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the role of Executive Officer. Mention your understanding of the higher education sector and how it relates to the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Chichester
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the university's business, processes, and corporate policies. Research the higher education sector to show that you're not just familiar with the role but also the environment in which you'll be working.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Executive Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed complex relationships in the past, highlighting your ability to filter enquiries and prioritise tasks.
✨Be Personable and Professional
During the interview, demonstrate your welcoming and professional approach. Practice your interpersonal skills so you can easily adapt to different personalities and levels of staff, showing that you can interact with everyone from students to senior executives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic perception and ability to influence others. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate sensitive situations or manage multiple priorities, and be ready to discuss how you achieved your objectives.