Senior Executive Assistant to CEO

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Senior Executive Assistant to CEO
 
The Role:

This is a pivotal opportunity to provide high-level support and strategic guidance to the CEO of the British Council, enabling them to lead the organisation effectively and deliver on its cultural relations mission. Based at our Headquarters in Stratford, London, this predominantly office-based role requires a minimum of four days a week on site, with flexibility to work up to five days as needed.

You will be responsible for expertly managing and prioritising the CEO’s schedule, coordinating diary commitments, and handling invitations and requests with efficiency. The role is highly varied, encompassing the commissioning, reviewing and editing of briefings and speeches, as well as the drafting and management of correspondence. In addition, you will oversee key administrative, communication, financial and governance processes to ensure seamless day-to-day operations.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Chair’s Office, as well as teams across the British Council, you will play a central role in ensuring that leadership functions operate to the highest standards. This dynamic and fast-paced environment requires someone who thrives under pressure, manages a high workload with agility, and demonstrates the utmost confidentiality, professionalism and integrity.

Joining the CEO and Chair’s Office offers a unique chance to contribute directly to the organisation’s impact across the globe. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding role at the heart of a purpose-driven organisation, we encourage you to apply.

Accountabilities:

The British Council is seeking a highly capable and trusted Senior Executive Assistant to provide strategic and administrative support to the CEO. This is a dynamic and high-profile role at the heart of the organisation, requiring a combination of analytical thinking, discretion, diplomacy, and outstanding organisational skills.

You will be responsible for managing the CEO’s complex diary, balancing competing priorities, and ensuring their time is used to best effect. This involves coordinating multiple internal and external engagements, reviewing and advising on requests, and arranging high-level meetings with key stakeholders. You will also provide expert support on correspondence, travel, logistics, briefings and speeches, ensuring the CEO is fully prepared and well-represented in every context.

This role goes beyond diary management. You will work closely with senior leaders and external partners – including Ministerial private offices – to build influential relationships, support communications, and help amplify the CEO’s voice across the organisation and beyond. An important part of your work will also include contributing to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) projects and handling sensitive correspondence with professionalism and care.

As part of the wider Chief Executive and Chair’s Office, you will help maintain high standards in operational processes, record-keeping, financial management, and service delivery. You will support corporate projects, manage internal and external communications, and play a key role in improving systems and ensuring efficient governance.

This is a rare opportunity to support the leadership of a global organisation with a unique cultural mission. If you are a calm, proactive and detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment, we welcome your application.

Requirements of the role:

• 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 senior leaders of large organisations on competing, varied and fast-changing internal and external priorities.
• Excellent judgement and ability to understand and navigate complex and nuanced issues, and ability to respond flexibly in often ambiguous environments.
• Ability to think analytically, prioritise and solve problems quickly, e.g. interpret large volumes of rapidly changing information across multiple complex issues at any one time, in order to make sound decisions quickly.
• Strong team player willing to jump in to support and stand in for immediate team members, a ‘can do’ solutions-focused attitude, and ability to flex to ensure that together it delivers to a high standard.
• Ability to work at pace and deliver against tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion tools, processes and approaches.
• Experience of holding people to account – especially in eliciting response

Closing Date:   Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 15th June 2025 UK Time.   

You must have the legal right to work in UK at the time of application.

Important Information: 

Department: CEO and Chair's Office (Corporate Affairs)

Contract type: Indefinite 
Pay band: 8

Salary: £38,820-£46,203 per annum (plus London Market Allowance of £3,300 per annum)

Location: London (Stratford) only

Requirements:

You must have the legal right to work in United Kingdom at the time of application.

There is no relocation or sponsorship support.

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service.  This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

Please note, Private Secretary to Chair & trustees role is also open for applications. If you would like to be considered for both roles, please ensure you put in an application under both vacancies. Shortlisted candidates may be assessed for both roles in 1 interview.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org