Executive Assistant and Communications Officer

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Life Sciences

Executive Assistant and Communications Officer to the Deputy Head of Department and Director, Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the Environment

Salary £30,160 - £34,270 p.a.

Silwood Park Campus

The Department of Life Sciences was the top ranked university department in the UK for research intensity in Biological Sciences in REF2014 (Times Higher Education), scoring 100% on our environment.

We are seeking to appoint an Executive Assistant & Communications Officer to join the Department of Life Sciences at our Silwood Park Campus, near Ascot.  Reporting to the Deputy Head of Department and the Director of Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the Environment Initiative (GCEE), you will provide a full range of administrative and support services to ensure that the Silwood Park Campus administrative office runs smoothly.

The post holder will be expected to provide a first-class proactive personal assistant service to these senior academics and interact with key members of staff within the Department of Life Sciences and the College, to implement decisions on vital delegated matters. You will also be responsible for organising key Departmental and GCEE events including workshops, seminars and a full visitor programme. The postholder will also ensure a good “two-way” communication and interaction with many of the collaborative working groups, and communicate the work of researchers and teaching staff to a broad internal and external audience.

You will have an appropriate academic or equivalent vocational qualification and/or work experience, together with substantial experience in a similar or related role. A Biological Science qualification would be desirable.

You must have experience of working in either a research or academic environment, and a demonstrable ability to deal with a variety of professionals and staff at all levels. Experience of coordinating and organising events, meetings and workshops is essential. You must also have experience of maintaining online communications such as webpages and social media, and have practical experience in the use and development of electronic file management (preferably Microsoft SharePoint). Experience of using Oracle database systems and Microsoft SharePoint would be an advantage.

You will have excellent communication, planning and networking skills, and be able to develop effective working relationships with staff at all levels.  You must have proven organisational and problem solving skills, and be able to effectively manage a high volume and varied workload to ensure that deadlines are met.

Our preferred method of application is online via our website by clicking apply (please select ‘Job Search’ then enter the job title vacancy reference number NS 2017 073 PB including spaces – into ‘Keywords’). Please complete and upload the application form as directed.

Closing date: 29th May 2017 (midnight BST)

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