At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head of School by managing their calendar, travel, and events.
- Company: Public sector organisation in Edinburgh with a focus on education.
- Benefits: Competitive pay rate of £16.21/hour and a contract until November 2026.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage in exciting school projects and events.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic educational environment while supporting leadership.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a senior PA, strong IT skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
PA to Head of School
Contract length: until 30th November 2026
Pay rate: £16.21 per hour (PAYE)
Location: Edinburgh
Venesky-Brown’s client, a public sector organisation in Edinburgh, is currently looking to recruit a PA to Head of School for a contract until 30th November 2026 on a rate of £16.21/hour (PAYE).
Responsibilities
- Administer the Head of School’s calendar: this includes scheduling appointments and meetings with internal colleagues and liaising directly with external senior representatives from national and international private and government bodies. Prioritisation plays a major role in ensuring the best use is made of the time and decisions concerning this are made on a daily basis by the post-holder.
- Sourcing information to provide the Head of School with relevant facts in relation to correspondence, meetings and committee papers.
- Provide administrative support to Head of School including: collating, presenting and analysing data relating to the management of the School. Collation of honorary positions nominations, designing and creating spreadsheets and implementing data presentation from spreadsheets.
- Arrange Head of School travel and manage their expenses claims.
- Provide administrative support to Director of Professional Services (DoPS) including arranging meetings with direct reports.
- Organise School events: on behalf of the Head of School, including Professorial Inaugural Lectures, Staff social events. Liaise with relevant units, and external companies, as appropriate. Support in-person and virtual / remote and hybrid events, including arranging audio-visual support such as moderation, recording, break-out groups, as needed.
- Engage in other similar School projects from time to time.
- Committee administration: provide secretarial and administrative support (including wiki / MS Teams infrastructure) to the Engineering Development Advisory Committee, School Management Committee, School Health and Safety Committee, School General Purposes Health and Safety Committee, Senior Management Team Meeting and All-Staff Meetings, including the production of high quality minutes and action lists.
- Other relevant duties as they arise from time to time.
Essential Skills
- School education to standard grade or equivalent plus at least 3 years’ experience as a senior/executive PA.
- Rigorous approach to dealing with confidential and highly sensitive matters, which the HoS handles on a regular basis.
- IT literacy; (expert knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams, MS SharePoint and Visio applications).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate appropriately at all levels.
- Ability to work using one’s own initiative, unsupervised and under pressure, including ability to assess which matters can be dealt with without reference to the HoS, DoPS and others, and to take appropriate action.
- Experience in making complex travel arrangements.
- Experience of maintaining a very demanding calendar for senior postholder(s).
- Positive, confident, committed attitude to work.
- Flexible approach to work.
Personal Assistant employer: Venesky Brown
As a Personal Assistant to the Head of School in Edinburgh, you will be part of a dynamic public sector organisation that values collaboration and professional growth. The role offers a supportive work culture with opportunities for skill development, while contributing to meaningful projects that impact the educational landscape. Enjoy a competitive pay rate and the chance to engage with diverse stakeholders in a vibrant city known for its rich history and culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Personal Assistant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and the Head of School you'll be supporting. Show us that you understand their mission and how you can help them shine. Tailor your responses to highlight your relevant experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on common PA interview questions and your ability to handle confidential matters. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your skills better.
✨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 Personal Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Personal Assistant role. Highlight your experience in managing calendars, arranging travel, and providing administrative support. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of School's PA role. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the job description.
Show Off Your IT Skills:Since this role requires strong IT literacy, make sure to mention your expertise with Word, Excel, Outlook, and other relevant software. We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy and can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venesky Brown
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant to the Head of School. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like managing calendars, arranging travel, and supporting events. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your IT Skills
Since the role requires expert knowledge of various software applications, be prepared to discuss your experience with tools like Word, Excel, and MS Teams. Bring examples of how you've used these tools effectively in previous roles, especially in managing data or creating presentations.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a PA, you'll need to communicate with a range of stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a few examples of how you've successfully communicated in challenging situations or managed sensitive information.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to prioritise and handle pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to make quick decisions or manage conflicting priorities. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you ensured the best outcomes in those situations.
