Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant – Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Salary: £30,940 – £35,355 per year
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Contract: Permanent
Job type: Administration / Corporate Support
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible Working, Job Share
Vacancies: 1
Locations: Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
Reference: 484356
Closing date: 24 October 2026 at 11:55pm

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this vacancy.

DSIT confirms that although it holds a visa sponsorship licence, this particular campaign does not qualify for sponsorship. Applicants should therefore already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

About the Role

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is looking for an organised and proactive Executive Assistant to join its Leadership Support Team.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, helping them manage their priorities and ensuring meetings, travel, information and administrative arrangements run smoothly.

The role involves managing complex diaries, monitoring inboxes, arranging meetings and visits, preparing information and briefing materials, taking minutes and following up on actions.

You will work as part of a welcoming and collaborative team, with opportunities to learn, develop and build your career in a flexible working environment.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Assistant will:

• Manage complex diaries for senior leaders and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Provide inbox support by identifying urgent emails and flagging them for action.
• Understand organisational priorities and reflect them in diary commitments.
• Organise internal and external meetings, video conferences and visits.
• Ensure briefing materials and papers are available ahead of Board meetings and meetings with external partners.
• Arrange meeting rooms, welcome guests and coordinate travel and accommodation.
• Provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence and share good practice.
• Liaise with other staff on behalf of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide administrative support for assignments and initiatives when required.
• Attend meetings and take accurate minutes.
• Distribute and follow up on actions arising from meetings.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with senior stakeholders.
• The ability to organise workloads according to priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-changing environment.
• Understanding of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Professionalism when dealing with sensitive information.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Previous experience as an Executive Assistant or in relevant administrative support.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and strong decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of the Civil Service.

Behaviours

The selection process will assess:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence for Delivering at Pace on the application form.

Salary and Benefits

The salary is £30,940 – £35,355, depending on location.

The advertised salary ranges are:

• National: £30,940 – £32,010
• London: £34,150 – £35,355

Part-time salaries are paid on a pro-rata basis.

The role also includes membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including job sharing and compressed hours.
• At least 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to a maximum of 30 days.
• Learning and professional development opportunities.
• Retail, travel and lifestyle discounts.
• Hybrid working arrangements.

The current expectation is for staff to spend approximately 40–60% of their time in the office or another non-home location, with the remainder potentially worked from home in the UK, subject to business and individual needs.

Application and Selection Process

This vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment process and will assess behaviours, strengths and experience.

Applicants will be asked to complete:

• A behaviour statement
• A CV
• A personal statement

The personal statement must be no more than 500 words and should explain how you meet the criteria for the role.

If there is a large number of applications, the initial sift may be based on the personal statement alone.

Successful candidates may then progress to a full sift, assessment or interview. The interview will include behaviour and strength-based questions.

Eligibility

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, eligible EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and other groups covered by the Civil Service nationality rules.

Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK because DSIT cannot provide visa sponsorship for this campaign.

Security Checks

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a basic or equivalent criminal record check and baseline personnel security standard checks.

Closing Date

Apply before 11:55pm on Saturday 24 October 2026.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.

Reference: 484356
Department: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT)

Original vacancy: Civil Service Jobs – Executive Assistant, Reference 484356.

Source: Civil Service Jobs / Department for Science, Innovation & Technology.