At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Bursar with administrative excellence and manage a busy office environment.
- Company: Join Winchester College, a prestigious institution with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible start date, and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a renowned institution and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in supporting senior leaders.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 43000 £ per year.
Winchester College is offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced and highly organised individual to join the Bursary as Personal Assistant to the Bursar. The Bursar holds a critical, wide-reaching remit, overseeing the finances and operations of both the College and The Pilgrims’ School, while serving as Clerk to the Governors. The successful candidate will provide the essential administrative foundation for the Bursar’s office, ensuring the smooth operation of a department that spans Finance, Estates, ICT, and Governance. This is a varied and demanding role that requires a high level of professionalism, as you will interact with everyone from senior leadership and external consultants to parents and support staff.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Bursar, you will play a pivotal role in administrative excellence and operational delivery. You will work in close collaboration with the Executive Assistant to the Warden & Fellows and the Headmaster’s Secretary to ensure a seamless flow of communication and scheduling across the College’s senior leadership.
Your key responsibilities include:
- Executive & Diary Management
- Correspondence Triage: Managing and prioritising all emails, phone calls, and mail, acting as a gatekeeper for unsolicited enquiries and ensuring urgent matters are highlighted.
- Strategic Scheduling: Expertly managing the Bursar’s diary to balance daily operational needs with long-term strategic time, ensuring all necessary documentation is prepared in advance.
- Travel & Logistics: Coordinating conferences and making comprehensive travel arrangements as required.
- Committee & Governance Support
- Meeting Administration: Providing full support for the Bursar’s Management Group and other formal meetings, including preparing agendas, calling for papers, and professional minute-taking.
- Action Tracking: Monitoring matters arising from committees to ensure that assigned actions are completed by the relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
- Reporting: Typing, formatting, and collating complex reports and presentations from manuscripts to a high standard of accuracy.
- Operational & Personnel Administration
- Team Liaison: Tracking leave allowances for the Bursar’s direct reports and assisting with administrative line management tasks.
- Financial Processes: Administering the parent-facing aspects of the bursary assessment process.
- Event Coordination: Assisting the Project Officer with high-profile internal functions, such as the annual Support Staff Christmas Lunches and Summer Drinks.
About You
This role demands a unique blend of "soft skills" and technical proficiency. You must be someone who can maintain absolute confidentiality while navigating a busy, often fast-paced office environment with resilience and a sense of initiative.
- Discretion: An unwavering ability to handle sensitive information and maintain the strictest confidentiality.
- Administrative Excellence: Advanced Microsoft Office skills (particularly Word) and experience in a close-knit administrative or secretarial team.
- Communication: A strong command of the English language, with the ability to draft professional correspondence and communicate tactfully with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Organization: The ability to work independently, "manage upwards" where appropriate, and prioritise tasks effectively under pressure.
- Relationship Building: Diplomatic and approachable, with the ability to build trust across the entire College community.
- Previous experience supporting a senior leader or executive-level post-holder.
- Specific experience in committee administration or minute-taking.
- Background in the education sector or a similarly complex, multi-site organisation.
What We Offer
- Start Date: Flexible, with a preference for the successful candidate to commence as soon as possible.
- Salary: A competitive salary between £38,000 and £43,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience. (Reviewed annually).
- Hours of Work: This is a full-time, year-round position (52 weeks), working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (8.30 am to 5.00 pm).
- Environment: The opportunity to work at the heart of a world-renowned institution during a period of significant development and growth.
HOW TO APPLY
Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application. Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes. Closing date for applications: Midnight Wednesday 15th April 2026.
For the full job description and to apply please see here. If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email.
Personal Assistant in Winchester employer: Winchester College
Winchester College is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at a prestigious institution that values professionalism and collaboration. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to contribute to a thriving educational community, all while enjoying a supportive culture that prioritises teamwork and communication across various departments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Assistant in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Winchester College on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just help us get our foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Bursar's role and the College's operations. We want to show that we understand their needs and how we can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. This will help us refine our answers and boost our confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and remind them why we’re the best fit for the Personal Assistant role.
We think you need these skills to ace Personal Assistant in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Personal Assistant role. Highlight your experience in administrative tasks, diary management, and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
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 Bursar's office. Share specific examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure to showcase your communication skills in your application. Whether it's through your CV or cover letter, let us know how you've effectively communicated in previous roles and how you can do the same here.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the only way we accept applications. Make sure to double-check your documents before submitting, as we review applications as they come in. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Winchester College
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Personal Assistant at Winchester College. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like diary management, correspondence triage, and meeting administration. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
This role requires a unique blend of soft skills and technical proficiency. Be prepared to discuss how you've maintained confidentiality, built relationships, and communicated effectively in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to navigate a busy office environment with resilience and initiative.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and organisational skills. Think of scenarios where you had to manage conflicting priorities or handle sensitive information. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the Bursar's office and its operations. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.
