Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant 
Hybrid- MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol with frequent travel to Andover
Full Time / Permanent 
Band 5/ £40,000- £50,000 per annum plus benefits 

Serco are recruiting for an Executive Assistant to join our team on a hybrid basis. This role will provide high-level administrative and strategic support to the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), ensuring their time is effectively managed and business priorities are met. These varied and fast-paced demands mean the role is best suited to a proactive, self-starter.

Acting as a trusted liaison between the Managing Director and internal/external stakeholders, the role requires handling highly sensitive and complex information with discretion, sound judgement, and professionalism. The role-holder must have excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, and confidence in engaging directors and senior external stakeholders.

At Serco, we are proud to partner with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in providing critical recruitment services for the UK’s Armed Forces. This new approach will, for the first time, see the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force have a joint Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS). Delivered through a partnership of the MOD, Serco, and our consortium of partners, this service will provide end-to-end support from candidate attraction to assessment, onboarding, and Phase 1 training. Our team brings together best-in-class integrated technology and specialist partners to offer a holistic recruitment and skills solution for the UK Armed Forces, designed to modernise and improve the overall candidate experience. We are driven by the values of doing the right thing for our people, the MOD, His Majesty’s Government (HMG), broader society, and the candidates we source.

Main responsibilities of the role:

• Managing schedules, meetings, and workflows for the MD and COO ensuring they focus on high-impact priorities.
• Diarise and orchestrate key meetings and events and circulate pre-reading materials in a timely manner, monitoring responses and following up on actions. 
• Act as the primary point of contact between senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and follow-up.
• Ensure effective and fluid communication is maintained within the AFRS leadership team, supporting communication across the consortium group, and externally (as required by the role).
• Handle highly sensitive and complex information with discretion and sound judgement. Overseeing replies and actions effectively and promptly.
• Organise multi-stop international travel itineraries and overseas visits. 
• Compile and convey key pieces of information clearly to colleagues, consortium partners, and external stakeholders (such as reports and presentations, as directed).
• Reconcile monthly expenses and manage any ad-hoc purchase orders. 
• Manage HR processes for the Managing Director to ensure that all employee documents and changes are kept up to date.
• Actively manage filing and administration.
• Support the AFRS leadership team with administration, colleague onboarding, and finance tasks.
• Assist the directors in achieving objectives through guidance on priorities, actions and time management. 
• Proactively identify challenges, offering solutions, and exercising positive influence to facilitate decision-making, and to improve processes.
• Display the confidence to make decisions on behalf of the directors and can be relied upon to make sound judgements when necessary.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Able to achieve SC clearance. 
• Flexible to commit to regular travel to both the joint AFR HQ in Abbey Wood (Bristol), AFR Transition in Andover and TEAM Serco’s National Recruitment Centre in Solihull.

Technical and Professional Skills:

• Proven ability to manage complex schedules, coordinate meetings, and prioritise tasks for senior executives.
• Strong interpersonal skills to liaise with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including board members, customers, and key partners.
• Experience handling highly sensitive and confidential information with absolute professionalism.
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify potential challenges, and take initiative to resolve them before they escalate.
• Confidence in working with senior leadership, influencing outcomes, and ensuring alignment on priorities; whilst building positive relationships with others.
• Ability to support or lead projects, track progress, and ensure deliverables are met on time.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to draft high-quality correspondence, reports, and presentations.
• Champions Serco’s Values.
• Remain calm under pressure and deploys a flexible approach to problem solving.
• Sets clear goals and standards and is prepared to give feedback and advice.
• Organised, self-motivated and focused on the delivery of key objectives where there are multiple and changing demands.
• Attention to detail and a solid work ethic.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Professional certifications such as Executive PA Diploma, ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management, or similar (desirable)
• Previous experience as a Personal Assistant, or similar high-level administrative role.
• Demonstrable skills in software packages, including Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams and Sharepoint.
• Understanding of corporate structures, governance, and operational priorities within a fast-paced business environment.
• Evidence of continued professional development, ideally in executive support, communication, or leadership skills.
• Willing to learn and use internal HR, procurement and administrative processes and systems.

What we offer:

• Up to 6% contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Annual leave purchase scheme.
• Access to the Serco benefits portal offering discounts across major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality.
• Health and wellbeing support for you and your family, including an Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs, and more.
• Comprehensive career development opportunities, including role-specific training, leadership coaching, and formal study to support your growth with Serco.
• A safe, inclusive, and supportive culture.
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We’re also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. 

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