Senior Executive to Chair and Trustees

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 406963

**Salary**:

- £38,820 - £46,203

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Other

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Type of role**:

- Administration / Corporate Support

**Working pattern**:

- Full-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- London, Stratford

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
Join the Heart of Global Cultural Relations - Become the Senior Executive Assistant to the Chair. Step into a pivotal role at the British Council, where you'll provide essential support and guidance to the Chair and trustees, empowering them to lead with impact, uphold accountability, and represent our organisation on the global stage. As Senior Executive Assistant, your role will be at the very centre of strategic leadership, ensuring the Chair’s time is managed effectively, their diary is precisely coordinated, and key communications and invitations are handled with insight and efficiency.

This is a varied and influential position where your work will span governance, administration, finance, communication, and speech preparation—each day bringing new challenges and opportunities to shape the effectiveness of our leadership. You’ll also work closely with trustees and be instrumental in managing correspondence, reviewing briefings, and ensuring operations run seamlessly across the Chair and Chief Executive’s Office.

Based at our vibrant headquarters in Stratford, London, this predominantly office-based role requires a presence of at least four days a week, with the flexibility to increase as needed. You’ll collaborate across teams and departments, gaining a comprehensive view of how the British Council delivers its mission through cultural relations.

This is a high-energy, high-impact environment—ideal for someone who thrives under pressure, manages competing demands with discretion and clarity, and holds the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality. It’s more than just a job; it’s a chance to be at the heart of a global organisation, supporting our most senior leaders in shaping the future of international cultural exchange.

Join us, and help drive the British Council’s mission forward—every day, at every level.

**Job description**:
The British Council is seeking a highly capable and proactive Senior Executive Assistant to support the Chair and trustees, playing a crucial role in managing high-level priorities, stakeholder relationships, and strategic coordination. This is a rare opportunity to work at the very centre of an organisation with a global footprint, where cultural relations and international engagement are at the heart of everything we do.

In this fast-paced and high-profile role, you’ll manage the Chair’s complex schedule, balancing multiple commitments and ensuring that time is effectively prioritised. You’ll develop a deep understanding of the British Council’s strategic priorities, providing trusted advice and supporting the Chair in internal and external engagements. With strong working relationships across all levels of the organisation, and with external stakeholders including Ministerial offices and partner organisations, you’ll help ensure the Chair and trustees are fully prepared and positioned to represent the organisation at the highest level.

You’ll oversee everything from diary and correspondence management to preparing briefings, commissioning speeches, and organising meetings with senior leaders. Your work will ensure the smooth flow of information, logistics, and communication—both internally and externally. You will also manage travel logistics, produce comprehensive travel packs, and coordinate meetings and events with precision and professionalism.

Beyond executive support, your role will also involve financial management, demonstrating a strong sense of value for money in procurement and resource planning. You will provide guidance on invitations and event requests, ensure effective records management, contribute to internal and external communications, and support governance processes. Your input will help drive operational excellence and service improvement across the Chair’s office.

This role offers the chance to contribute to meaningful, high-level work while gaining insight into the leadership and strategy of a globally influential organisation. If you’re confident managing competing demands, thrive in a high-pressure environment, and can work with integrity and discretion, we want to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping international cultural relations and making a real difference worldwide.

**Person specification**:

- Experience of senior level diary management and scheduling, with fast-moving deadlines and working under pressure.
- Track record of high quality office administration in busy, ambiguous and complicated environments, ability to prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Experience of advising