Executive Assistant to the Director

Executive Assistant to the Director

Manchester

Up to £40,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Full-time (35 hours), Permanent

The Role :

We’re looking for an experienced Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to the Director of a major research institute in Manchester. This role is 100% fully office-based, and ideal for someone who’s confident working in a fast-paced environment and able to hit the ground running.

You’ll be responsible for managing a busy and often shifting diary, coordinating UK and international meetings, managing a high-volume inbox, and preparing briefings and correspondence. You’ll also be a key contact for stakeholders across science, healthcare and policy, and support wider operations as needed.

We’re looking for someone with excellent judgement, strong attention to detail and a calm, professional manner. If you're flexible, highly organised, and confident working under pressure, this is a great opportunity to step into a critical role at the heart of a high-profile organisation.

Key responsibilities include :

Managing the Director’s complex diary and ensuring priority alignment

Handling high-volume inbox communications with discretion and care

Preparing meeting packs, briefings and follow-up notes

Booking national and international travel with detailed itineraries

Drafting and editing high-level documents, emails and reports

Liaising with senior internal and external stakeholders, including Board members

Taking and distributing formal minutes

Supporting the Director’s involvement in collaborative and strategic projects

Coordinating visits and meetings, including logistics and hospitality

Maintaining up-to-date records and handling sensitive information confidentially

Supporting general office and operations team duties as neededWhat we’re looking for :

Substantial experience in supporting senior leadership in a higher education or NHS / Medical setting.

Strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail

High level of discretion and a calm, proactive approach

Experience managing diaries, inboxes and logistics independently

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook and Teams

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a similar role

Experience in an academic, research, clinical or public-sector setting is desirable

If this sounds like the perfect role for you then please submit your CV.

This vacancy is being handled by Aspire Recruitment. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications and regularly receive applications from candidates who exceed the job credentials. We will only contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. Should you apply for this role, we will process your data as detailed in our