Key Role Information

Salary
£34,237-38,510
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
23/09/2026 09:00
Interview
30 September 2026
Start
1 November 2026
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
Support | SCP21 - SCP26
Department
Trust Executive Team
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Executive Assistant

Orchard House, 79 Gold Street, Wellingborough, NN8 4EQ


37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (with generous annual leave allowance)

NJC Scale Point 21-26 (£34,237 to £38,510)



This vacancy has recently been updated following a review of the role. The position is now full-time (37 hours per week) rather than part-time, and the responsibilities have been enhanced to include support for the Trust's social media activity and internal events. We encourage previous visitors to the advert to review the updated details and consider applying.


Be the professional partner behind our leadership team

A rare opportunity has arisen to join our Trust as Executive Assistant, following the retirement of a long-serving post holder. This well-established role sits at the heart of the organisation, providing trusted support to the CEO, Director of Finance and Operations and wider Executive Team.

More than a traditional PA role, this position offers the opportunity to become a key contributor to the effective leadership and operation of the Trust. Working closely with senior leaders, you will provide the high-level support that enables strategic leadership to flourish, helping to ensure that priorities are delivered, stakeholders are engaged and Trust operations run smoothly.

You will be involved in many aspects of Trust life, from coordinating executive diaries and preparing key documentation to supporting governance processes, statutory compliance activities and organisation-wide projects. You will become a trusted professional partner to senior leaders, ensuring priorities are delivered efficiently and that key stakeholders remain informed, engaged and connected.

No two days will be the same. One week you may be helping to coordinate important governance meetings, supporting policy reviews and compliance activities, or overseeing organisational communications. The next, you may be assisting with strategic projects, Trust events or supporting the management of key information systems and external partnerships.


Who are we looking for?

We're seeking someone who combines exceptional organisational ability with sound judgement, discretion and initiative.

You will already have a successful track record in a PA, Executive Assistant or senior administrative support role and will be comfortable working with senior leaders, balancing competing priorities and managing confidential information. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong digital capability and an eye for detail that ensures nothing gets missed.

Equally important is your approach. You'll be someone who enjoys finding solutions, improving processes and building positive relationships with colleagues and external partners. You'll be confident working independently, adaptable when priorities change and committed to delivering work of the highest standard.



Why join us?

You will work as part of the Trust Central Services Team, a group of professionals using expertise in delivering core services and high‑quality support to our academies. We enjoy a purposeful, positive and good-humoured working environment, based in dedicated office space in Wellingborough.

We are an ambitious and values-driven Trust committed to delivering excellent outcomes for our pupils and communities. We believe that great organisations are built by great people and are committed to developing talented professionals, providing opportunities to grow, contribute and make a meaningful impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and gain a fascinating insight into strategic leadership within education.


What We Offer


  1. Career progression opportunities within a growing multi-academy trust
  2. Employee wellbeing support
  3. Annual employee wellbeing survey
  4. Ongoing project to transform our working culture and prevent workplace conflict
  5. Flexible working where possible


How to apply

Please apply online at Vacancies | Hatton Academies Trust


The closing date for this vacancy is 9am on Wednesday 23 September 2026

Date for interview is Wednesday 30 September 2026


Our recruitment processes help us understand what you uniquely contribute. Submissions that rely too heavily on AI risk obscuring the very qualities we are looking to discover. If you use AI, let it support your thinking, not replace it.


The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check and other pre-employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications), including English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above.essential
Level 3 qualification in Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.essential

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Suitable to work with children (this is a requirement for all Trust staff, whether or not the specific role is student-facing).essential

Experience

Successful track record as a PA, secretary or other administrative support role.essential
Experience of supporting senior leaders and managing competing priorities.essential
Experience of working in academies and schools.

Personal Attributes

Advanced working knowledge of GDPR and Data Protection principles and records management requirements.essential
Advanced knowledge and application of Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and related digital tools.essential
Strong ICT skills, including the effective use of digital systems, internet research tools and keyboard skills.essential
Ability to use internet-based research tools and AI-assisted technologies appropriately to obtain, analyse and present information.essential
Advanced diary management and meeting coordination skills.essential
Able to prepare agendas and produce accurate, concise meeting minutes.essential
Excellent proofreading and document preparation skills.essential
Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion.essential
Excellent verbal, written and listening communication skills.essential
Able to build and maintain effective professional relationships at all levels, including with external partners and agencies such as local authorities, DfE, ESFA, RPA and insurance providers.essential
Able to support organisational change positively and influence stakeholders effectively at all levels.essential
Strong organisational skills, including the planning and coordination of meetings and events.essential
Ability to organise workload effectively and meet deadlines in a busy environment.essential
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple competing deadlines.essential
High level of attention to detail.essential
Takes ownership of tasks and sees them through to successful completion.essential
Demonstrates initiative and identifies opportunities to improve processes and outcomes.essential
Able to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team.essential
Adaptable and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.essential
Resilient, resourceful and solution-focused when responding to challenges.essential
Maintains a professional and calm approach when working under pressure.essential
Demonstrates integrity and high professional and ethical standards.essential
Able to demonstrate a willingness to attend appropriate training and development and evidence of relevant personal and professional development.essential
Willingness to work flexibly on occasion to meet the needs of the Trust and Executive Team.essential
Ability to travel between Trust sites and attend meetings as required.essential
Engagement with, and understanding of, wider educational partnerships spanning the primary, secondary and local authority sectors
Knowledge of academy and governing body procedures.
Knowledge of educational legislation, guidance and legal requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications), including English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above.essential
Level 3 qualification in Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.essential

Hatton Academies Trust

HR Team

HR@hattonacademiestrust.org.uk

Orchard House
79 Gold Street
Wellingborough
Northamptonshire
NN8 4EQ

Safeguarding Information

Hatton Academies Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from appropriately qualified persons regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, age or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants are required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references.