Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant to Deputy Directors

Location: York, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Reading, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle or Warrington - Hybrid working (60% in the office presence)
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (usual hours 8-4/9-5)
Contract: Temporary, current end date is June 2026
Pay Rate: £15.39ph (paid on a weekly basis)

Defra is seeking a proactive and highly organised Executive Assistant to provide dedicated support to two Deputy Directors. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the leadership team, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the smooth running of strategic HR operations across the Defra group.

In this key role, you will ensure senior leaders can operate effectively by managing priorities, communications, and governance processes with professionalism and discretion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage complex diaries, prioritising meetings and coordinating logistics.
• Inbox management
• Prepare agendas, briefings, and meeting packs, and track follow-up actions.
• Act as the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, handling communications with professionalism and discretion.
• Support the Deputy Directors in managing competing priorities and maintaining oversight of key projects.
• Coordinate travel, events, and team activities, ensuring arrangements are efficient and cost-effective.
• Maintain accurate records and support governance processes, including HR reporting and compliance.
• Contribute to wider team initiatives and continuous improvement across Defra HR.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, both in writing and verbally.
• Demonstrate discretion, integrity, and sound judgement in handling sensitive information.
• Build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Be confident using Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools.
• Have experience in administrative or executive support roles (Civil Service experience is desirable but not essential).

Successful candidates will have to undergo a basic DBS check and referencing checks.

If this role sounds of interest, please apply online. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates may be contacted.

Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.

As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.

Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.

In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.