Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer

Executive Assistant to the CEO - The Francis Crick Institute

London, UK

Are you a career Executive Assistant who thrives under pressure, delivers with precision, and builds trusted relationships at the highest level?

This is an exciting opportunity to support Professor Edith Heard as she steps into the role of Director and CEO of the Francis Crick Institute, succeeding Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse. We are seeking a highly accomplished and exceptional Executive Assistant to play a key role in supporting her leadership as she shapes the next chapter of the Crick’s remarkable journey.

As Executive Assistant to the Director, you’ll play a pivotal role at the very heart of one of the world’s leading scientific institutions. You’ll operate in a fast-paced, high-profile environment, acting as the Director’s trusted advisor, right hand and strategic operator. You’ll bring extensive experience supporting senior, high-profile individuals at C-suite level within complex, high-profile organisations and manage a demanding schedule, coordinating national and international engagements.

You’ll be an exceptional communicator, skilled at managing a broad range of diverse senior stakeholders and building credibility and trust, liaising confidently with everyone from Nobel Prize-winning scientists and global research leaders to government ministers, major funders, and royalty.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need exceptional organisational skills, sound judgement, and the confidence to build trusted relationships at the highest level. Calm under pressure and able to anticipate needs, you’ll bring clarity, discretion and drive to everything you do. You will ensure the smooth and effective running of the Director’s office, and help to deliver the Crick’s bold mission to drive benefits for human health.

What you will be doing

• Coordinating the Director’s complex and dynamic calendar, maintaining oversight of all priorities and commitments and ensuring optimal alignment of internal and external obligations.
• Ensuring the Director is optimally prepared for all meetings and other events, providing all documentation, briefings etc. in a timely manner, and providing effective follow up.
• Proactively managing the Director’s high volume email inbox, ensuring timely responses, appropriate delegation and effective prioritisation of critical communications.
• Drafting, editing and managing high level correspondence, reports and presentations.
• Acting as a ‘gatekeeper’ in communications with global science leaders, institutional partners, government agencies and philanthropic stakeholders.
• Acting as the Director’s ‘eyes and ears’, ensuring that all relevant matters are brought to the Director’s attention and presented in the most appropriate and informative way.
• Liaising and building effective working relationships with Board members, including the Chairman, and their offices.
• Handling confidential information with the upmost integrity and discretion.

What you will bring

• Extensive executive support experience with at least 5 years supporting a C-suite or equivalent senior leader in a complex, high-profile organisation.
• Outstanding organisational and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and offer proactive solutions.
• First class communication skills with experience of drafting clear and concise briefings, reports and other types of communication for a wide range of audiences, including senior management.
• Exhibiting the gravitas and professionalism to act on behalf of the Director with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding inter-personal skills and strong emotional intelligence with the ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels within the institute, displaying gravitas and able to offer advice, guidance and challenge where necessary.
• Resilient with an aptitude for, and enjoyment of, a dynamic, high workload. Capable of thriving in a high-pressure environment while maintaining professionalism and composure.
• High level of integrity, with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information discreetly.

A background in a scientific, academic or research environment is helpful, but not essential. What matters most is your resilience, professionalism, and ability to support a leader operating at the pinnacle of global science. For a full job description see here.

About Working at the Crick

Our values

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture.

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.
• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.
• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them. For this or any other assistance you need with applying please email: [email protected]

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

To find out more about life at the Crick click here.

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• 24/7 GP consultation services.
• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance:
• Back-up care for dependents.
• Childcare support allowance.
• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
• Development & Recognition:
• Comprehensive training, mentoring