Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO Office Full Time NEW

Closing date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 1st stage (17/07, 20/07 and 21/07) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face – TBC

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. 

We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.

The CEO Office supports the delivery of Wellcome’s mission by maximising the CEO’s time on the highest-impact priorities and engagements, while ensuring robust governance and effective decision-making across the organisation. The team also enables the Chair and Governors to fulfil their roles with clarity and confidence.

Our work spans three core areas: providing strategic advice to shape the CEO’s forward agenda, voice, and approach to complex issues and special projects; delivering strategic operations that underpin the CEO’s day-to-day engagements, logistics, and organisational priorities; and ensuring strong strategic governance through the effective management of ExCo, EEG, and key decision-making forums, translating Wellcome’s strategic goals into clear agendas, decisions, and actions.

The role reports to the Head of Strategic Operations within the CEO Office.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will provide high-quality, flexible executive support to the Chief of Staff and senior leaders, ensuring priorities are delivered effectively in a fast-paced environment while working collaboratively across the CEO Office and wider organisation.

What will I be doing?

Your role contributes to the team’s overall effectiveness by enabling smooth coordination, maintaining momentum during busy periods, and helping leaders focus on achieving strategic objectives.

As an Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO Office, you will:

• Provide high-quality executive support to the Chief of Staff, managing complex diaries and inboxes to ensure priorities are delivered effectively.
• Coordinate busy and often changing schedules for senior leaders, balancing competing demands across the CEO Office and wider organisation.
• Plan and manage internal and external meetings, travel and logistics, supporting effective engagement with senior stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, accurate and timely documents, briefings and Board-level papers to enable informed decision-making.
• Contribute to priority projects and governance processes, ensuring smooth coordination, follow-up actions and delivery of key initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the wider team and EA/PA community to maintain effective ways of working, provide cover during peak periods, and contribute to an inclusive, high-performing environment.

Is this job for me?

We are looking for an experienced and highly organised Executive Assistant with a proven track record of supporting senior leaders in fast-paced environments and managing complex, high-volume priorities with discretion. You will bring strong communication, stakeholder management and IT skills, alongside the ability to exercise sound judgement and deliver high-quality work, while gaining valuable exposure to senior stakeholders and opportunities to further develop your influence, collaboration and problem-solving capabilities.

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Proven experience supporting senior leaders (SLT/Director level) in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex, high-volume calendars, including competing priorities and frequent changes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to a high standard.

Applications Questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description? (Up to 500 words)
• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

You can view the full job description on our website

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website

Our Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.

At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org.

Upon a conditional offer being made, the successful applicant for this position will be required to undertake a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (or equivalent) criminal record check to disclose any ‘unspent’ criminal convictions or conditional cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The criminal record check with not show anything that is ‘spent’.

For further guidance on disclosure of criminal records please see this UK Government Guidance. You can view our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders here. You can view our Privacy Statement here.