Senior Executive Assistant

Working arrangements: We are committed to a hybrid working model that means most staff work flexibly, spending a minimum of 6 days a month in the office. However, the nature of this role will require the post holder to be present in the office at least 4 days per week, with some flexibility based on the annual cycle of activity. Standard working hours between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The Royal College of Physicians is recruiting a Senior Executive Assistant – executive office.  

Purpose and scope

Key responsibilities

• Provide first class direct and responsive support to the CEO, president and chair of the RCP board of trustees including efficient co-ordination and management of the diary, mail, meetings, travel, accommodation, preparation of agendas, collating information, organisation, and recording meetings as required.
• External-facing activity
  • assess enquiries directed to the president, CEO and chair of the board of trustees, triaging these in terms of importance, risk and determining any necessary delegation to senior officers and/or executive directors
  • when appropriate, communicate in writing, by email, over the phone and in person with senior stakeholders
  • develop and maintain key relationships with counterparts in other medical royal colleges and the wider healthcare network, including membership of networking groups, in order to support key CEO and presidential stakeholder relationships.
• Internal-facing activity
  • manage the activity of the executive office
  • work with senior levels of RCP governance including the PRCP, CEO, senior officers, college officers and executive leadership to ensure effective communication and flow of work and to promote collaborative working across all areas of the college to maintain quality in the delivery organisational objectives
  • work closely with internal colleagues to coordinate, plan and deliver major corporate events.

About you

You are a motivated and enthusiastic individual with significant experience of providing first class executive support to senior position-holders within a similar organisation. You will be comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, capable of establishing strong working relationships with individuals working in any part of the organisation and confident making evidence-based decisions whilst respecting the boundaries of your role.

You will have the opportunity to be involved in some of the most interesting work of the college.

For more information about the role and RCP, please view the role description  attachment at the bottom of this page. 

How to apply 

Please click "Apply Now" to submit your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining, with clear examples, how your skills and experience match the job description and person specification. Applicants who do not submit a relevant supporting statement as requested will not be shortlisted. 

For an informal discussion about this role, candidates are welcome to contact our recruitment team on:  

Email:  

Telephone:

Closing date: 11 January 2026

Interviewing date: w/c 19 January 2026

The RCP positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. 

The RCP is all about our people – our members, staff, volunteers and leaders. We educate, influence and collaborate to improve health and healthcare for everyone and know we can only do this by being inclusive, encouraging and celebrating diverse perspectives. Welcoming into our community people who represent the 21st-century medical workforce and the diverse population of patients we serve is a priority for us. 

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a rewarding and friendly place to work with an incredible history, dating back to our foundation in 1518 by King Henry VIII. We are a professional membership body for physicians – doctors who work in hospitals – with over 40,000 members in the UK and around the world working to improve patient care and reduce illness. Our activities focus on educating, improving and influencing for better health and care.

The benefits

Buy
annual leave

Mental health activities
and sessions

Enhanced pension
scheme

Health cash plan and employee discounts

Our people

• Dr Mumtaz Patel
• RCP President

"I am passionate about supporting our current and next generation of physicians with an aim to improve patient care for all. Our strategic mission is educating, improving and influencing health care design and delivery".

• Anna Johnson
• Exams Coordinator

"As a working mum, the RCP has gone above and beyond in helping me to achieve a work life balance. I have never been made to feel that I have to make a choice between work and family life."

• Chiraag Panchal
• Executive Director of People and Culture

"Working at the RCP, my team and I have undertaken significant projects and initiatives that have shaped our workplace culture and HR strategies".

• Anna Johnson
• Exams Coordinator

"As a working mum, the RCP has gone above and beyond in helping me to achieve a work life balance. I have never been made to feel that I have to make a choice between work and family life."

• Craig Gunderson
• Internal Communications Manager

"The RCP has a positive and inclusive culture. Everyone's opinion is valued, regardless of their role, and everyone has the chance to get involved in things that are important to them".

• Cameron Carby
• IT Desktop Support Analyst

"Starting as an apprentice, I gained a lot of exposure to various systems and had considerable levels of responsibility. This quickly developed my skills and boosted my self-confidence allowing me to take on further projects and responsibilities."

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