Executive Assistant to the Dean

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have a regular events calendar that are designed to appeal to all.

Our care for our employees’ wellbeing is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer. 

About the role

You will provide high-quality executive and administrative support to the Dean, ensuring their time, correspondence and engagements are managed effectively. You will coordinate a complex diary and inbox, prepare correspondence and meeting materials, organise meetings and UK and international travel, and provide a professional first point of contact for colleagues and external visitors. You will handle sensitive information with discretion and build effective relationships across the School, wider collegiate University and Executive Office to support the Dean’s activities and events.

At Grade 6, you will work with greater autonomy, helping to prioritise incoming business and deputising for the Chief of Staff where appropriate. You will prepare more complex correspondence and briefings, research and synthesise information, anticipate requirements, resolve non-routine administrative issues, and take ownership of discrete projects and improvements within the Dean’s Office.

About you

You will have experience of working effectively in a professional environment, with excellent organisational, prioritisation, written communication and interpersonal skills. You will manage competing demands with sound judgement, accuracy and attention to detail, while handling confidential matters with tact and discretion. You will build constructive working relationships, work flexibly and proactively as part of a team, and adapt to changing priorities. Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, good numeracy and the ability to undertake routine financial administration accurately are also essential.

For appointment at Grade 6, you will bring substantial relevant experience of executive or senior administrative support, including managing complex diaries, correspondence and priorities with limited supervision. You will have experience of exercising independent judgement, resolving non-routine issues and producing complex correspondence, briefings or reports for senior colleagues. You will also be able to research and synthesise information clearly, anticipate requirements, take proactive action and take ownership of discrete projects or pieces of work through to completion.

Application process

Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria in your own words, along with your CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is at 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 2 November, 2026

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