Executive Assistant and Group Operations Officer to the Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein

About the role:

In this pivotal role, you will provide comprehensive executive support to the Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein and will support the operations of the Director's research group based in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial. This position requires a proactive, tactful, and highly organized individual who thrives in a complex and dynamic environment.

What You Will Be Doing

Executive Support:

• Proactively manage and oversee the Director’s diary and travel arrangements.
• Handle confidential information with discretion and manage sensitive communications efficiently.
• Draft and prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations, ensuring high standards of accuracy.
• Coordinate administrative processes to support the operations and strategic initiatives of the Director’s research group and the Bezos Centre.

Administration Support:

• Organize and manage events, including arranging logistics for high-profile external visits.
• Provide support on various projects and initiatives led by the Director, from planning through to execution.
• Act as a key liaison for HR, ICT, Finance, and Legal departments, facilitating smooth operations across divisions.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes and external regulations, managing the Director’s budgets and administrative systems.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Maintain robust working relationships with key internal stakeholders across Imperial College, including senior leadership and various departments.
• Build and sustain relationships with external stakeholders, including government, industry, and academic partners both in the UK and internationally.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience in providing executive support at senior levels, with adeptness in managing a complex diary and travel arrangements.
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information and navigate sensitive situations with discretion.
• Background in higher education or similar sectors, with an understanding of sustainability, engineering biology, or alternative proteins. (Desirable)
• Experience in financial planning and event organization within a large, matrixed organisation. (Desirable)

What We Can Offer You

In joining the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, you’ll be part of a transformative project at a world-leading institution, focused on revolutionising sustainable food systems. Benefits include:

• The opportunity to work with global leaders in regulatory science, biotechnology, and food innovation.
• Access to a rich professional network of industry, academic, and policy experts working to shape the future of food.
• A dynamic, collaborative team environment that values innovation and professional growth.
• A dynamic Work Environment: Engage with cutting-edge topics at the intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation.
• Sector-leading salary and benefits package, including 38 days of annual leave.
• The chance to advance your career within a prestigious institution making meaningful impact in alternative protein science and policy.

Further Information

This position is available for an immediate start for up to 2 years in the first instance with the capacity to be extended subject to funding. Candidates will be subject to standard employment checks as required by Imperial College London.

To apply, please visit Jobs | Imperial College London using reference ENG03495 to search for this role.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 01 June 2025

About Us:

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein is a pioneering institution uniting leading experts across industry, academia, and policy to accelerate the transition from conventional meat to alternative proteins. Our work spans the intersection of cultivated meat, plant-based, and fermentation-based food innovations, with a mission to create sustainable, resilient, and nutritious food systems. The RLA group is internationally renowned for its work on engineering biology and sustainable food, specifically on microbial food and fermentation.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Simon Partridge – s.partridge@imperial.ac.uk and  Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro r.ledesma-amaro@imperial.ac.uk 

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.