Job Description

Personal Assistant to Managing Director

Part-Time | 20 hours per week | 13.50-16.50 per hour

Location: Reading (Hybrid - primarily remote with regular in-person attendance)

Company: Reading Marketing Company

The Opportunity

We're looking for someone to grow into a right-hand role as our business expands across multiple cities. This starts as part-time PA work supporting the Managing Director of a rapidly growing multi-company marketing group, but has genuine scope to develop into strategic business support as you prove yourself and the business scales.

You'll be working directly with the MD, managing everything from complex schedules and high-value client relationships to business operations and personal support. This role demands someone who operates with complete discretion, takes genuine ownership of their responsibilities, and maintains the same rigorous standards as the executive they support.

Despite being part-time, this isn't a "just complete the tasks" role. You'll need to think strategically, prioritise ruthlessly, and deliver disproportionate impact within your 20 hours per week.

About the Business

Operating under Tristan James Enterprises Ltd, we manage Reading Marketing Company alongside sister companies in London, Bristol, and Oxford, with active expansion into Manchester and additional cities throughout 2025-2026. Our portfolio includes clients across healthcare, construction, fire protection, hospitality, and corporate sectors, with monthly retainers ranging from 750 to 10,000+.

We're a fast-paced, ambitious business that operates to premium standards. We're looking for someone who shares that ambition and wants to be part of building something significant.

What You'll Be Doing

This role sits at the centre of business operations. You'll work directly with the MD to ensure smooth running of both business and personal commitments, handling matters requiring sensitivity, discretion, and exceptional judgment.

Executive Support & Calendar Management:

Managing complex diaries across multiple business entities and personal commitments. Coordinating meetings with high-value clients, strategic partners, and internal teams. Prioritising competing demands and ensuring the MD is properly prepared for all engagements.

Client Relationship Management:

Acting as first point of contact for premium clients. Managing client communications with professionalism and commercial awareness. Coordinating proposal submissions, contract negotiations, and client onboarding.

Communications & Correspondence:

Managing email inbox, prioritising communications, and drafting responses. Preparing professional correspondence, reports, and business documents. Handling sensitive communications with appropriate discretion.

Business Administration:

Coordinating financial administration including invoice management and payment follow-ups. Managing supplier relationships and contractor coordination. Overseeing administrative processes across the four sister companies. Maintaining organised systems for contracts, documentation, and business records.

Strategic Coordination:

Liaising between the MD and department heads across multiple locations. Ensuring follow-through on strategic initiatives and business development activities. Supporting business expansion activities including new market entry.

Personal Support:

Managing personal appointments and family commitments. Coordinating travel arrangements and logistics. Handling personal administration where it intersects with business operations. This includes supporting the MD in his role as primary carer for his mother.

The work varies from high-level strategy support to practical problem-solving (yes, occasionally that includes drafting parking appeal letters). If you need every day to look the same, this isn't the role for you.

What We're Looking For

We need someone who genuinely thrives on being the person who makes everything work seamlessly. You take pride in anticipating needs, solving problems proactively, and delivering work to exceptional standards without requiring supervision.

Essential Skills:

Proven PA/EA experience in professional environments Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - you must be capable of drafting professional correspondence and client communications to the highest standard without supervision Advanced proficiency with technology - Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace, and comfortable learning new systems quickly Experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously in fast-paced environments Track record of handling confidential and sensitive matters with complete discretion Previous part-time or flexible working experience demonstrating ability to deliver impact within limited hours

Personal Qualities:

Proactive and anticipatory - you identify needs and take action before being asked Exceptionally organised with systematic approaches to complex workloads High work ethic and personal standards matching those of the executive you support Unflappable under pressure - capable of maintaining composure during demanding periods Commercially aware with understanding of business priorities and client relationships Absolute integrity and discretion when handling confidential information Self-motivated and capable of working autonomously with minimal supervision Strategic thinking to maximise impact within part-time hours Empathy and understanding - particularly important given family caring responsibilities involved

Working Arrangements

This role is primarily remote, providing flexibility to manage your work effectively. However, regular in-person attendance at our Reading office (Quadrant House) or London office (Berkeley Square) is required for client meetings, team coordination, and matters requiring face-to-face interaction.

The 20 hours per week can be structured flexibly - whether that's 4 hours daily Monday-Friday, 2-3 full days, or another arrangement that works for both parties. You'll need some availability during core business hours, with occasional flexibility for urgent matters.

Compensation & Growth

Starting rate of 13.50-16.50/hour depending on your experience and what you bring to the role from day one.

We conduct 6-monthly performance reviews. As you take on greater responsibility and the role evolves into more strategic business support, your compensation will reflect that growth. There's genuine scope for this to develop into a full-time operations or chief of staff position as the business expands - the right person could be instrumental in that growth.

6-month probationary period to ensure we're the right fit for each other.

What We Offer

Competitive hourly rate (13.50-16.50) with clear progression as role evolves Predominantly remote working with flexibility around location and hours Flexible scheduling to accommodate your preferred working pattern Direct working relationship with Managing Director Exposure to high-level business operations and strategic decision-making across multiple companies Real opportunity to grow into right-hand role as business scales Pro-rata holiday allowance (equivalent to 22 days plus bank holidays) Company pension scheme Gym membership Modern equipment and software provided Professional environment that rewards initiative and excellence

How to Apply

Please email jobs@readingmarketingcompany.co.uk with:

Your CV A covering letter explaining your relevant PA/EA experience, why this role interests you, and your preferred working pattern for the 20 hours per week Your notice period and availability
Email subject line: Personal Assistant Application - [Your Name]

We'll interview strong candidates on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying promptly.

A Final Note

This role isn't for everyone. It requires someone who genuinely enjoys being the organizational force behind a senior executive, who takes pride in anticipating needs and solving problems before they arise, and who maintains unwavering standards regardless of pressure.

The part-time nature adds an additional challenge: you must be strategic and focused, delivering significant impact within limited hours through excellent prioritisation and efficiency.

If you're seeking a position where you simply complete assigned tasks, this isn't the right fit. If you're looking for a role where your initiative, judgment, and professionalism directly contribute to business success, where you'll be trusted with significant responsibility, and where there's genuine potential to grow into something bigger, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

Reading Marketing Company is an equal opportunities employer.UK work authorization required - we cannot provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 13.44-16.67 per hour

Expected hours: 20 - 30 per week

Application question(s):

How many years of PA/EA experience do you have supporting senior executives? What is the most senior level executive you have supported? (e.g., Business Owners, MD, CEO, Director, Partner) Do you have experience working in professional services, marketing agencies, or similar fast-paced business environments? Have you previously worked part-time in a senior PA/EA capacity? If yes, briefly describe how you managed your time effectively. What is your notice period? This is a 20-hour per week role supporting a busy MD in a fast-growing business. Describe your approach to delivering maximum impact within limited hours, and give one specific example from your experience where you've successfully managed significant responsibilities part-time or within time constraints. (Aim for a max of 200 words)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Reading RG1