Job Description

Executive Assistant to Executive Director - 31551

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Executive Assistant to Executive Director - 31551

Number of jobs available
2
Region
London
City/Town
London
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP MARSHAM STREET, SW1P 4DF
Grade
Staff Grade 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Administration / Corporate Support, Secretarial
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time
Salary Minimum
33,000
Closing Date:
25/08/2025, 23:55 hours


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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We are looking for two experienced and organised individuals to join our Operations and our Strategy, Transformation and Assurance (STA) teams, to help manage the Executive Directors daily business and administration.



Working with initiative and a high degree of independence, you will aid the Executive Director in leading the work they deliver with Environment Agency colleagues, Defra, Government, and partners, to create better places for people and wildlife.



Working closely with your direct executive office colleagues, the leadership team's offices, colleagues across the organisation, and external partners, you will:



Manage the Executive Director's busy diary and mailbox to triage and distribute accordingly Co-ordinate the Executive Director's travel, annual leave, expenses Manage the shared inbox and be the initial contact for the Office, to action, commission requests or assign tasks independently to others Handle and oversee all line manager and administrative tasks of the wider leadership team (expenses, leave, other SOP approvals, etc.) Work closely with the team to update the Executive Director on their day-to-day activities and priorities Provide support with leadership meetings and note taking/minuting Being able to work flexibly to support the Executive Director occasionally outside of your preferred working hours


You will have the opportunity to join the Executive Directors in some internal and external engagement opportunities and to pursue your own personal development goals within the wide-ranging work of the team.



Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role.
The team
Both Executive Offices are small, supportive teams that work together to deliver on behalf of the Executive Directors. As part of the team, you will be the key organiser, with assistance and strategic input from others. This includes helping the Executive Director prioritise and deliver the organisation's action plan by managing their daily activities and appointments accordingly. The working environment is busy, happy, trusting, and high achieving.
Experience/skills required
These are fast-paced offices, and priorities can change quickly to appropriately address incidents, media attention and political steer.



You'll need to be proactive, able to adapt quickly, use your networks and have an outcome-based approach.



Essential:

Excellent customer service and communication skills (written and verbal), and the ability to adapt these to different audiences. The ability to identify and solve problems, knowing when to draw in support. Use initiative and work independently. Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills whilst working at pace. Ability to develop and maintain relationships with internal and external customers. Team player, delivering quality results alone and with others. Ability to draw conclusions based on available information. Experience supporting senior leaders. Good knowledge and understanding of organisational procedures and processes. Working with high level sensitive information Resilience, determination and ability to respond to changing situations Contact and additional information
For the STA role - the successful applicant will be based in central London, with the expectation that they would spend a minimum of 2 days per week in the office working alongside the Executive Director.




For the Operations team, you will be required to attend 2 Marsham Street in London once a week as a minimum, but you can be based anywhere in England.




There may also be some limited travel around the country.



We value diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We also welcome flexible working patterns.



As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.



For further information, please contact executivedirectorstrategytransformationassurance@environment-agency.gov.uk (STA role) or catherine.macdougall@environment-agency.gov.uk (Operations role).
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Competence description - sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.




In this role you will be required to deliver high work standards and prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Please give an example to explain how you have organised yourself and your time to operate under pressure, successfully handling multiple competing priorities or deadlines.
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Description
Competence description - listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.




Please tell us about a time you have had to clearly communicate a message or position, adapting your communication style to your audience to ensure the information landed. What did you consider and how did you ensure you were effective?
Competence 3
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Competence description - Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.



This role requires that you address the needs of internal and external customers, providing rapid and effective responses. Please give an example of when you identified and addressed a senior customer's needs (this could be an internal colleague or external customer), and how you subsequently kept them informed or managed an ongoing relationship.
Competence 4
Manages Self
Description
Your answer to this capability will just be an acknowledgment of the role expectations noted below.

- The STA role is based in Marsham Street, London - with attendance in the office at least 2 days a week.

- The Operations role can be based anywhere in England - with attendance in the London office at least once a week.

The salary for this role is 33,000, plus London weighting ((4,267 per annum pro-rata) for the London based role.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know

for more information.