Divisional Executive Assistant (Maternity Cover/Fixed Term Contract)

Divisional Executive Assistant (Maternity Cover/Fixed-Term Contract)

£38,382 per annum, plus excellent benefits

London WC1 and home-based/hybrid

Full-time, 35 hours per week

We are recruiting for two positions: one maternity cover contract of up to nine months and one fixed-term contract of up to 12 months.

Closing date: 25 October 2026

Interviews: w/c 01 November 2026

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking an organised, proactive and highly adaptable Divisional Executive Assistant to provide high-quality support to our Executive Directors and Chief of Staff.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the processes and operations that underpin the College’s Executive Directors and Divisions. You will work closely with senior leaders and clinicians, anticipating their needs, managing competing priorities and helping them make the best use of their time.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, you will provide trusted and proactive support across diary, task and travel management, divisional governance, committee cycles, inductions and quarterly business reviews. You will also contribute to a range of projects, including research, event coordination and data analysis.

You will work autonomously across the College, building strong relationships with Executive Directors, senior clinicians, colleagues and other stakeholders. Your ability to anticipate challenges, manage upwards and find pragmatic solutions will be essential in supporting the effective delivery of the College’s strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing proactive support to multiple Executive Directors, including diary, task and travel management, anticipating requirements and resolving potential conflicts or challenges

• Developing a strong understanding of the needs and working styles of Executive Directors and adapting your approach to provide effective and trusted support

• Running the end-to-end governance cycles that underpin committees and divisional structures, ensuring information is gathered, coordinated and communicated within agreed timescales

• Working across the College with Executive Directors and senior clinicians to facilitate the timely flow of information into committees and senior leadership structures

• Coordinating the induction of volunteers and team members, ensuring relevant information is collected and maintained in line with College processes

• Working closely with the Chief of Staff to coordinate the quarterly business review cycle, supporting teams to complete data requirements and prepare reports

• Supporting core financial administration, including raising purchase orders, ensuring the safe receipt of invoices and completing credit card reconciliations

• Delivering a variety of projects on behalf of Executive Directors and the Chief of Staff, including research, event coordination and data analysis

• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and efficiencies and providing practical solutions to support the effective use of senior leaders’ time

Essential skills and experience include:

• Demonstrated ability to develop a strong understanding of other people’s needs and adapt your working style to meet those needs

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands and use time efficiently

• Experience anticipating the needs and potential challenges of senior staff through effective diary management and finding pragmatic solutions

• Experience providing committee secretariat support, with the ability to deliver an effective end-to-end secretariat service

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, make informed decisions and take initiative

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and confidently with a diverse range of stakeholders

• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and completeness across all areas of work

Desirable:

• Experience working closely with clinicians and/or healthcare professionals

• Knowledge and experience of qualitative data analysis

• Understanding of project management principles and experience delivering projects across multiple areas

• An interest in how artificial intelligence can be used to improve processes, create efficiencies and support organisational effectiveness

**The RCPCH has more than 25,000 m…