Executive Assistant at The David Ross Education Trust

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced, resilient and self-starting Executive Assistant to play a pivotal role at the heart of a large, ambitious and fast-moving multi-academy trust.

About the role

This is not a traditional administrative role. It is a demanding, high-profile position requiring someone with significant senior-level experience, excellent judgement, emotional intelligence and the resilience to thrive in a complex organisation. The successful candidate will be a confident self-starter who can work with a high degree of autonomy, anticipate what is needed, take ownership of priorities and drive work forward without waiting to be directed.

You will provide high-level, strategic and confidential executive support to the Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Director, helping to ensure the effective operation of the CEO’s executive support office and enabling strong leadership of the Trust. You will be trusted to manage competing demands, coordinate strategic activity, handle sensitive information and act as a key point of connection between senior leaders, governance colleagues, trustees and external stakeholders.

The role has a natural rhythm across the academic year, with periods of high intensity during term time, particularly around executive, Board and strategic planning cycles, and quieter points during school holidays. The successful candidate will need the resilience, flexibility and judgement to manage demanding peaks calmly and effectively, while also being a proactive self-starter who uses quieter periods productively to plan ahead, improve systems, complete follow-up work, get involved with organisational projects and maintain strong organisational momentum.

We are looking for someone who can bring pace, structure and professionalism to a busy executive environment. You will be calm under pressure, discreet, highly organised and able to manage complexity with confidence. You will need to spot what needs to be done, follow through on actions and ensure that senior leaders are well briefed, well supported and able to focus on the Trust’s most important priorities.

This is for a permanent position, 37 hours a week, 52 weeks per year.

Salary & Benefits 

·       NJC 27–32:  £38,220–£42,839 FTE per annum

·       Local Government Pension Scheme

·       31 Days Annual Leave

·       Regional networks of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in Education 

·       Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme 

·       Awards and Recognition Scheme 

·       Flexible working patterns 

·       Benefits Platform : Health & Wellbeing Programme : Cycle to Work Scheme 

About you

We are looking for someone with substantial experience of providing high-level executive support in a complex organisation. You will be highly organised, resilient and able to manage pressure without losing sight of detail, quality or professionalism.

You will bring:  

•   Significant experience supporting senior leaders, ideally at CEO, Executive Director or Board level
•   The confidence to work with autonomy, judgement and discretion;
•   A proactive, self-starting approach, with the ability to anticipate priorities and take ownership;
•   Exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills;
•   Resilience, flexibility and the ability to remain calm in a demanding environment;
•   Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefings, reports and correspondence for senior audiences;
•   Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to influence appropriately;
•   Sound judgement when handling sensitive, confidential or high-profile matters;
•   The ability to manage workload peaks while using quieter periods productively and independently;
•   A commitment to the values and mission of education and public service.

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About The David Ross Education Trust 

The David Ross Education Trust’s mission is to give every child attending one of our schools a world-class education. 

We are a network of unique and diverse academies across the country, committed to delivering a world-class, knowledge-rich education that empowers pupils to reach their fullest potential.  Spanning North Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North-East Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and London, our network of 36 academies serves over 14,600 pupils and employs 2,300 dedicated staff. 

Our family of schools includes 24 primaries, 10 secondaries, an all-through school in London’s Olympic Park, and a special school in Lincolnshire supporting pupils aged 2–19 with a broad range of special educational needs.  As one of only 11 system leaders nationwide, we are recognised for our unwavering commitment to educational excellence, our innovative curriculum, and ability to drive sustained school improvement at scale.  At the heart of our Mission is a deep belief in the transformative power of education.  We are committed to ensuring that every child – regardless of their background – has access to an exceptional academic experience enriched by extensive co-curricular opportunities.  From small rural primaries to large urban secondaries, our academies benefit from the strength of a collaborative, values-driven community, in which expertise is shared, best practices are embedded, and each school retains its distinctive character. 

We broaden the horizons of young people by inspiring students to become their confident, academic best via an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities.   

We are driven to provide our young people with access to a world-class education and enrichment experiences. Our students benefit from a wealth of opportunities to develop, learn and lead.  From the classroom to cultural visits, sports, music and arts and engaging with our local communities, the rich and varied experiences we create help fuel ambition and unlock potential. The education and experiences we offer equips our young people with the leadership skills, team spirit, resilience and confidence to become outstanding citizens. 

Whatever your role you will contribute towards creating a rich and exciting learning environment that also offers our students an unrivalled package of sporting and cultural enrichment. 

We are incredibly lucky to be able to work alongside outstanding organisations and individuals who are happy to share their expertise and skills in supporting the David Ross Foundation's vision to give children better life chances through access to the best education and support we can give them. 

Apply now 

To complete our on-line application form, please use the ‘apply now’ tab. 

Early applications are advised. We receive high numbers of applications for our roles and therefore have to close the vacancy prior to the closing date in order to review candidates' details against our job criteria before shortlisting or re-opening the vacancy. 

The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.  

It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics. 

The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust. 

All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" statutory guidance.