PA to the PRINCIPAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE

PA TO THE PRINCIPAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Contract: Permanent - 37 hours per week
£40,000 - £45,000 (or more for an exceptional candidate)
Location: Newcastle, Stafford & Leek

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is one of the very best colleges in the country.  In October 2024 we became the first and only further education provider in England to achieve a full set of outstanding grades in consecutive Ofsted Inspections.  

The group is currently home to a population of over 7,000 full-time students with around 2,000 adult learners and students on higher education programmes. We have over 1,500 apprentices where we work with over 850 individual employers.  Our Sixth Form provision has a reputation for high academic achievement and excellence.

We are seeking an exceptionally confident, credible, and professional Personal Assistant to provide a comprehensive executive support service to our Principal. Serving as the personal representative of the Principal, the successful candidate will provide a welcoming and highly efficient point of contact for all visitors, students, staff, MPs, and partner organisations such as the Department for Education.

You will also manage the Senior Management Team (SMT) Office, act as the line manager to the SMT Secretaries, and ensure the Principal's priorities are managed with exceptional tact and diplomacy.

The College operates across 3 campuses in Staffordshire and so considerable flexibility in work location and working hours will be key features of the role.

In addition to a good standard of general education, you should have previous experience of working in a high level PA or secretarial role.  You will have a confident manner with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, excellent MS Office Skills (Word, Excel and Teams) and will be able to work efficiently to tight deadlines.  Hours of work are usually office hours Monday to Friday, but occasional attendance at out of hours meetings and events will be required.

If you have the initiative and expertise to drive the success of our executive office, we encourage you to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Executive Support & Administration: Provide a full range of proactive support, including diary management, drafting correspondence, and producing confidential letters, reports, meeting papers, and presentations to a very high standard.
• Office & Line Management: Coordinate all activities within the SMT Office and act as the line manager to other SMT Secretaries, maintaining a professional, organised, and tidy office environment while implementing suggestions for improvement.
• Gatekeeping & Prioritisation: Manage access to the Principal, using good judgment to determine which requests should be escalated to the Principal's attention and which are more appropriately handled elsewhere.
• Meeting & Event Coordination: Draft agendas, produce minutes for internal meetings (including the Governing Body, in conjunction with the Clerk to the Corporation), and manage SMT diaries, conference arrangements, and internal room bookings. You will also liaise with Estates and Catering Teams for event hospitality.
• Stakeholder Communication: Deal with complex correspondence and enquiries-including complaints-while developing positive, professional relationships and respecting strict confidentiality and boundaries.
• Compliance & Flexibility: Maintain strict compliance with the College's commitments to the safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults, the promotion of equality and diversity, health and safety, data protection, and freedom of information. Undertake other reasonable duties as required, demonstrating a high degree of flexibility regarding campus location, working hours, and duties.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Previous experience working in a senior PA/secretarial role, specifically including minute-taking.
• Exceptional tact, diplomacy, and judgment in managing an executive calendar and determining urgent priorities.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines with minimal supervision, remaining calm and solution-focused under pressure.
• Excellent literacy, presentation, organisational, and time-management skills.
• Confidence and familiarity with common Microsoft software packages, including Microsoft Teams.
• A good standard of education (ideally qualified to Level 3 or equivalent) and relevant qualifications.
• High flexibility regarding campus location, working hours, and the willingness to travel between sites if necessary.
• A clear understanding of the College's commitments to the safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults, alongside a dedication to continuous professional development.

What’s in it for you?

The college offers an excellent benefits package which includes:

• Employer Pension contributions - Local Government Pension Scheme
• 27 Days Annual Leave, rising to 31 following 5 years’ service (plus Bank Holidays & Christmas Closure).
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary sacrifice).
• Electric Vehicle Scheme (Salary Sacrifice).
• Health-related benefits including Subsidised Health Scheme.
• Excellent Training and Development Opportunities
• Staff parking available
• On site restaurant facilities and FREE early morning coffee/tea and toast

How to apply

To apply for the role of PA to the Principal & Chief Executive, please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete an online application form.

If you are applying via a jobs board, you will receive an email and link that will take you directly to our application form on the Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group website).

Closing date completed applications:  20th September 2026.

This college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All college-based positions are subject to enhanced DBS check.