Personal Assistant to the Head of Department and Head of Administration and Finance

Full time (37.5 hours) or part time (30 hours)

Permanent Contract

Grade 6: £34,982 – £40,855 per annum (discretionary range to £44,382), pro rata for part-time. Includes Oxford University weighting

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and skilled Personal Assistant to provide comprehensive executive support to the Head of Department and Head of Administration and Finance in one of the world’s leading Computer Science departments.

This is a key role at the heart of the department’s strategic leadership, ensuring smooth operations, managing complex schedules, and supporting high-level governance and decision-making. You will be a trusted gatekeeper, problem solver, and representative, someone who thrives on precision, discretion, and delivering exceptional service in a fast-paced environment.

The role also includes management of the Business Administration Apprentice and developing streamlined administrative systems to ensure the office of the HoD and HAF runs efficiently and professionally.

This is a fully on-site role, offered with either full-time hours (37.5 per week) or part-time hours (30 per week).

About You

You will be an experienced PA with a track record of supporting senior leaders (ideally C-suite or equivalent), managing busy diaries, juggling competing priorities, and responding to shifting demands with calm efficiency. You’ll combine outstanding organisational skills with excellent judgement, a proactive mindset, and a warm, confident presence.

Your ability to handle confidential matters, make sound decisions on behalf of senior figures, and communicate clearly and professionally, both in person and in writing, will be critical to success in this role.

Experience in a university or public sector environment is helpful but not essential, we are primarily seeking a PA with exceptional professional standards and proven experience managing the pressures and expectations of a high-level executive office.

About Us

The Department of Computer Science at Oxford is a global leader in both research and teaching. We are proud of our long history, world-class reputation, and the diverse community of people that make it all possible. We are consistently ranked among the top departments globally and are committed to supporting innovation, integrity, and impact in everything we do.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing, reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• Excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave (including public holidays)
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted public transport

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a supporting statement and an up-to-date CV as part of your online application.

Your supporting statement must clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential selection criteria listed in the job description. Applications that do not include a supporting statement or CV, or fail to address the criteria in sufficient detail, will not be considered.

You must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to sponsor visas for this post.

While we recognise the value of AI tools in assisting with application preparation, submissions that are clearly AI-generated without personalisation or insight will be rejected. It's crucial that your application reflects your own experiences and understanding of the role.

The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 7 July 2025

Interviews are planned for Thursday 17 July 2025 and will be face to face.

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