Executive Assistant to the Master

Peterhouse is the oldest College in Cambridge (founded in 1284) and is also among the smallest (currently 291 undergraduates; 176 postgraduates; 44 Fellows). The College provides accommodation for almost all its Junior Members either on or near the main College site. The College is, therefore, characterised by a greater degree of regular interaction between Senior and Junior Members than is the case in some larger Colleges. It is a vibrant community, with many active clubs and societies, and a strong tradition of table fellowship. Peterhouse is situated in Trumpington Street in Central Cambridge.

The College Office is a key administrative centre within Peterhouse and carries out a range of administrative duties for the College, the Chapel, its Fellows and certain key College Officers, including the Master, Senior Bursar and Dean.  The post holder works in a team with the EA to the Fellowship and Senior Bursar, and the Administrative Assistant, sharing the general day-to-day management of the Office.  The post holder meets regularly with the Master in the Master’s Lodge and acts as the Master’s primary executive support.

The primary role is to support the smooth running of the College by enabling the Master to carry out his wide-ranging duties and responsibilities. The role involves dissemination of relevant information around the College, liaison with a wide variety of external, high profile contacts, information gathering and briefing, event organization and provision of first-class ‘executive’ support, including diary management, administration of the annual Research Fellowships Competition and Research Associates Competition.  In addition to the normal Executive Assistant responsibilities, the post holder will support the Master in relation to dealing with HR and personnel matters for Fellows, including supporting and, where appropriate, advising on recruitment processes for new Fellows and on new appointments for existing Fellows. The role offers the post holder a mix of autonomy and collaborative working whilst supporting a crucial function of the College. It is essential that the EA takes the initiative in driving tasks forward and is able to work well independently as well as part of a team.

You will have excellent organisational and administrative skills, and be proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook. You will also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills which include tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters. You will need to become proficient in using Raisers Edge alumni database, Cascade HR database and Microsoft Teams (training will be available). An interest in and ideally some experience of HR/personnel activities would be an advantage.

You will enjoy:

• Holiday entitlement is 25 days plus 8 bank and public holidays. A car parking space may be available, subject to capacity.
• The College offers an auto-enrolled pension scheme to eligible employees, after 3 months’ completed service. The scheme is the Cambridge Colleges Group Personal Pension Scheme (CCGPPS) with Aviva.
• Lunch is provided free of charge when on duty over lunchtime and when the College kitchens are open.
• The College offers a medical cashback scheme to staff.

The hours of the post are 36.25 hours per week. The closing date for application is 8am on 30^th April 2024, and interviews will take place on Tuesday 14^th May 2024.

For a full job description and application pack, please click the apply button above.

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