Senior Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Fantastic opportunity to join a values-driven housing association in a senior, high-trust role working in close partnership with the Chief Executive.

We are looking for an exceptional and highly experienced Senior Executive Assistant to provide dedicated, first-class support to the Chief Executive and to lead the Executive Support function.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive as a trusted adviser, sounding board and ambassador-helping to manage priorities, shape high-quality executive outputs and ensure the organisation operates smoothly at senior level. This is a role for someone who exercises sound judgement, thrives on responsibility and takes pride in supporting leadership that makes a real difference. It would suit a superb communicator, who is truly people focused and able to work effectively in a fast paced role.

Alongside direct CEO support, you will lead a small Executive Support Team and set standards across the Executive Office, ensuring a consistent, professional and values-led service to the Executive Team and Board.

This is a demanding and rewarding role, offering real influence, visibility and the opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation.

Our client is offering a salary circa £45k plus superb benefits and the option of hybrid working.

Key responsibilities

Chief Executive support

• Provide comprehensive, proactive executive support to the Chief Executive, including diary leadership, forward planning, briefings, correspondence and prep for meetings
• Act as a trusted gatekeeper and adviser, helping to manage priorities, anticipate issues and ensure the Chief Executive's time is focused on what matters most
• Draft, review and quality-assure high-level briefings, reports and communications on behalf of the Chief Executive
• Handle highly sensitive and confidential information

Executive Office leadership

• Lead and line-manage the Executive Support Team, setting clear standards and ways of working
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality executive support service that reflects our client's values and standards
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and pride in service

Governance and organisational leadership

• Oversee executive-level governance processes, including preparing agendas, reviewing papers, taking minutes and tracking actions for Board and Executive meetings
• Build strong, trusted relationships with Board members, senior leaders and external partners
• Coordinate key corporate events, the annual conference and colleague engagement activities
• Support internal and external communications

Skills and Experience

• Experienced, confident Senior Executive Assistant who enjoys working in close partnership with a Chief Executive
• Significant experience supporting a Chief Executive, C-suite leader or senior director in a fast-paced, complex environment
• Exceptional organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and operate with a high degree of autonomy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality executive-level briefings, correspondence and reports
• Confidence engaging with Board members, senior stakeholders, partners and external bodies
• Experience leading or mentoring others, with a commitment to high standards and continuous improvement
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset and the confidence to challenge appropriately
• Absolute discretion, professionalism and integrity
• Experience within a regulated environment or the housing sector is desirable but not essential

Please note that we will only contact those candidates that we assess as suitable for the positions we have currently available based on their experience, training, and skills. If we do not have anything suitable, we will not keep your CV for more than 30 days.

As an equal opportunity employer, Bucks and Berks Recruitment is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.