Lead Executive Assistant to the CEO
UK government R&D funding and management agency that backs high-risk, high-reward scientific and technological research, including AI-enabled science and AI-compute programmes.
Funding history
About Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
ARIA is an independent UK executive non-departmental public body created by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Act 2022. It funds Programme Director-led research programmes and opportunity-seed projects in underexplored areas intended to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will lead the executive assistant function while providing seamless support to the CEO. You will manage the CEO’s diary, correspondence, meetings, travel, events, commitments, and follow-up actions. You will coordinate board and committee administration, build stakeholder relationships, and plan internal events and activities.
Requirements
- Significant experience as a Senior or Lead Executive Assistant supporting CEOs or senior executives in a fast-paced, demanding environment
- Experience leading and developing a team of assistants, including hiring, coaching, and setting standards
- Excellent judgement and discretion
- Experience managing complex diaries, correspondence, and inboxes
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines with attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
- Experience designing and implementing administrative processes and ways of working
- Submit a current CV and required cover letter
Responsibilities
- Lead and continuously improve the executive assistant function
- Coach and develop executive assistants and ensure resilient support coverage
- Manage the CEO's diary and resolve competing demands
- Handle sensitive matters, information, and relationships with discretion
- Oversee the CEO's commitments, deadlines, preparation, decisions, and actions
- Manage the CEO's inbox and correspondence
- Coordinate with the Internal Chief of Staff and Head of Executive Engagement
- Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Support administration for board meetings, including scheduling and coordinating papers
- Coordinate committee agendas, papers, minutes, decisions, and actions
- Manage the CEO's travel, accommodation, transport, and itineraries
- Coordinate internal events and team activities
- Travel occasionally across the UK to support senior leaders at meetings and events
Benefits
- 27 days of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell additional days
- Learning and development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave arrangements
- Free confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
- Life assurance
- Two paid volunteer days
- 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Office location in Kings Cross, London
Hiring Process
Where possible, campaign-style processes: after all applications are received and talent screens are held, candidates are downselected for formal interviews.
