Executive Assistant to the High Mistress

The Opportunity

We are looking for highly motivated and personable individual with an ability to work collaboratively with staff across the School whilst providing exceptional support to the High Mistress.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with outstanding communication skills, discretion and the ability to  manage a diverse and fast paced workload with professionalism and efficiency. With excellent written and oral communication, strong attention to detail and a solutions focused approach, the successful candidate will handle matters with sensitivity and discretion and build networks across the School to ensure the smooth delivery of the High Mistress’s priorities.

The Executive Assistant reports to the High Mistress, works closely with a number of administrators and support staff across the school, and plays an important and visible role in the wider School community.

Key Responsibilities 

The Executive Assistant (EA) will provide high level administrative and organisational support to the High Mistress, ensuring the efficient management of her priorities, communications, and strategic initiatives. The EA acts as a trusted partner to the High Mistress, enabling her to focus on leadership and vision while ensuring operational excellence across the school.

The EA is expected to uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and professional judgment while representing the High Mistress and the School. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support school events.

Providing Executive Support

•Proactively manage the High Mistress’s diary, prioritising commitments and anticipating needs accordingly

•Act as the first point of contact for all communications to/from the High Mistress, ensuring professionalism and discretion at all times

•General office management including the design and implementation of processes to ensure the smooth running of the High Mistress’ study

•Prepare agendas, briefing papers, reports, and presentations for internal and external meetings

•Minute meetings as required, including Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings, and track actions to ensure timely follow up

•Maintain electronic filing systems and confidential records relating to governance, safeguarding, and compliance

•Organise all travel arrangements for the High Mistress, including complex itineraries for both national and international trips, ensuring the High Mistress is appropriately prepared for meetings and events

•Support preparation for inspections, audits, and policy reviews

•Coordinate documentation for governors’ meetings and maintain statutory records

Cross-departmental Liaison

•Act as the High Mistress’s representative and liaison point across key departments (including Development, Admissions, HR, Marketing & Communications and International) to ensure alignment with the School’s strategic vision

•Work closely with a range of teams to coordinate the High Mistress’s involvement in relevant events and initiatives

•Be a leader within the office support network, fostering positive relationships across the school community that reflect the school’s ethos and values

•Coordinate communication between the High Mistress and senior staff ensuring clarity and consistency

•Work closely with HR and administrative teams to support staff recruitment processes where required

•Work closely with the Front Office and Reception teams, providing cover where required

Communications and Events

•Draft and quality assure correspondence and newsletters from the High Mistress

•Work with the marketing and admissions teams to support promotional activities and events

•Plan and deliver key school events e.g. Apposition Dinner, Valediction, Presentation Assemblies, Friday Lectures

External Liaison

•Represent the High Mistress in communications with parents, governors, professional bodies, and partner institutions

•Coordinate the High Mistress’s attendance at external conferences and networking events

•Act as the main point of contact for The Mercers, organising visits and events as required

The postholder will also be required to undertake any other duties as reasonable required by the High Mistress.

Person Specification 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive approach, with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and anticipate needs without requiring close supervision. They will be a self-starter committed to continuous improvement and take a CPD focused approach to their own professional development.

Key skills and experience

Essential

•Extensive experience of working as a PA/EA to a senior executive

•Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders

•Discretion and integrity in handling sensitive information

•Proactive, flexible and solutions focussed, with strong initiative and attention to detail

•Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills

•Fully proficient in Microsoft packages and a willingness to master new systems to support and enhance their work

•Ability to work with enthusiasm and cheerfulness in a dynamic and fast paced environment

Desirable

•Experience within the independent, or wider, education sector