Executive Assistant - Chief Operating Officer

Employment status and working hours: Permanent, full time for 35 hours per week. Full time hours at the University are 35 per week with the standard working pattern Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, with some flexibility in start/finish times.

Organisation structure: Chief Operating Officer department, Executive Support team. Your line manager will be David Balme, Chief Operating Officer.

Place of work flexibility: The majority of your working week will be spent at our office in Reading and the rest at your home. You will work three days each week in Horizons, ideally on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Working from home is only possible if your environment is suitable.

High level summary of job role: This is a high-level professional and fast-paced role taking responsibility for delivering effective and efficient support to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), who is a member of the Executive team. You will take a proactive approach to coordinating and directly supporting the work of the COO and their interactions with other members of the Executive, the Senior Leadership Team and their wider departments.

Specific job role accountabilities and responsibilities:

• Work closely with the COO to help deliver the University’s vision: to become the centre of excellence for built environment education.
• Support the COO in all aspects of diary management, ensuring a balanced and effective schedule.
• Provide documentation and project support for strategies, policies and project planning.
• Be responsible for advising the COO of impending internal and external work deadlines.
• Track and progress actions to be completed by other managers in the COO’s departments.
• Organise and support meetings chaired by the COO.
• Bring urgent matters to the attention of the COO, proposing possible solutions.
• Liaise with key external stakeholders.
• Deal proactively with incoming post and emails.
• Ensure best practice file management.
• Handle digital processes including managing purchase orders and invoices.
• Ghost write communications and assist in proofreading other university documentation.
• Support the organisation of COO events.
• Handle information requests with tact and diplomacy.
• Undertake any other duties which fall within the scope of the post.

Qualifications and training:

• GCSE Maths and English language Grade C or 4 or above.
• Further education level qualifications.
• Secretarial/Administration training or qualifications.

Previous experience:

• Providing direct EA/administration support to an executive director or senior manager.
• Experience within the higher education sector or other regulated environment.
• Creating project plans and supporting multiple projects.
• Reviewing papers, conducting research, and preparing reports for senior managers.
• Arranging UK and international travel.

Behaviours and attitudes: Alignment to the University’s core values and growth mindset approach.

Skills, knowledge, other requirements:

• Strong literacy and numeracy skills along with strong verbal and written communication.
• Business acumen; professional and confident approach.
• Ability to build relationships at all levels.
• High level organisation, planning, prioritisation and time management skills.
• Calm and methodical attitude in pressured situations.
• Ability to work flexibly, to switch tasks at short notice.
• Digital skills confidence, especially in Excel and Outlook.
• Commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our students.

Pay and benefits:

• Salary: Actual salary £34,000 per annum.
• Holiday: 26 days paid holiday plus paid bank/public holidays.
• Pension and life assurance: Pensions auto-enrolment to the People’s Pension.
• Family-friendly policies: Enhanced pay available from day one of employment for some leave types.
• Wellbeing: Full access to the Employee Assistance Programme.
• Sustainable travel: Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Other health related benefits: Employer-funded Health Cash Plan.
• Other valuable benefits: Charity giving options available.

Applications - things to consider: For an informal discussion about the role and any other enquiries please contact HR. Closing date for applications is Wednesday 08 July 2026 at 17:00.