Executive Assistant - People & Estates

Job description

Job summary

At the centre of Great Britains energy regulation, Ofgem protects consumers, oversees the energy sector and needs leadership that can focus on the decisions that matter most. Were looking for an Executive Assistant to join us and play a central role in enabling our leaders to deliver for consumers and the future of Britains energy system.

Ofgem is Great Britains independent energy regulator. Were at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.

Were offering a permanent role with the chance to move beyond traditional administrative support and operate at the heart of important business activity. Working alongside Directors and senior leaders, youll gain valuable exposure to organisation-wide priorities and the strategic decision-making that shapes our work.

This highly visible role will give you insight into digital transformation, people strategy, organisational change and operational delivery, while enabling you to build relationships across multiple teams and functions. Youll become a trusted presence within a fast-moving senior environment, combining excellent organisation with judgement, discretion and strategic awareness to help leaders focus on delivering their priorities.

Were looking for someone with significant Executive Assistant experience supporting Directors or senior leaders, excellent organisational capabilities and the confidence to operate effectively within a busy and demanding environment. Youll bring exceptional attention to detail, strong communication and relationship-building skills, sound judgement and discretion, alongside the ability to manage competing priorities independently. Experience supporting multiple Directors within an HR and/or Technology directorate would also be valuable.

In return, youll gain senior-level exposure and the chance to broaden your professional experience while contributing to work with a meaningful impact on consumers and the UKs energy future. Youll also discover an inclusive and collaborative organisation committed to flexibility and employee development, various location options and an extensive package of benefits and perks.

We have a critical purpose to protect consumers while helping deliver a clean, more affordable and secure Net Zero energy system. Join us and put your executive support expertise at the centre of an organisation shaping Britains energy future, enabling senior leaders to focus on the strategic priorities that make a meaningful difference.

This position will require travel around the UK.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Support

• Proactively manage the Director/s time and forward plan to ensure their diary aligns with strategic priorities and organisational objectives, enabling them to operate effectively and focus on high-value activity.

Stakeholder Management

• Effectively manage complex internal and external stakeholder relationships, acting as the first point of contact and handling all enquiries professionally to promote a positive image of the directorate and wider organisation.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships across the directorate and the organisation to ensure seamless collaboration and high-quality support for the Director/s.

Information Flow & Co-Ordination

• Work closely with Private Secretaries to ensure the Director/s receives all required papers, briefs and materials in good time, allowing sufficient opportunity for review, feedback and preparation ahead of meetings.
• Brief and update the Director/s and Private Secretaries on pertinent information, risks or developments to ensure they are equipped to function effectively in their roles.

Administrative Excellence

• Undertake any additional tasks commensurate with the role, as required by the Director/s or Private Secretaries, to support the smooth running of the directorate.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• Proactively manage the Director/s diary, ensuring their time is managed efficiently and aligns with their strategic priorities.
• Effectively manage complex key external and internal stakeholder relationships, acting as the initial point of contact for stakeholders and handling all queries in an efficient and professional manner to promote a positive image of the directorate.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues within the directorate and across the wider organisation, to ensure a high level of service to the Director/s.
• Work with Private Secretaries to ensure the Director/s receives relevant papers and briefings for meetings in a timely manner, so that they have sufficient time to absorb the content and provide any feedback prior to meetings.
• Brief and update the Director/s and Private Secretaries with any pertinent information that may be required by them to function effectively in their roles.
• Any other tasks commensurate with the role that are required by the Director/s or Private Secretaries.

Key Skills and Capabilities

• Demonstrates strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to anticipate issues and provide actionable recommendations.
• Strong strategic awareness with the ability to anticipate the Director/s priorities and plan accordingly.
• Excellent organisational and diary management skills, with proven ability to coordinate complex schedules.
• Highly effective communication skills, with the confidence to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships across the organisation and with external partners.
• Strong information handling skills, with the ability to distil complex material into clear, actionable insights.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• High level of discretion, professionalism and sound judgement when managing confidential or sensitive information.
• Proficiency in MS Office, OneNote and digital tools, with the ability to adapt to new systems and processes.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Confident EA with a proven track record of working at Director/Deputy Director level, ensuring the allocation of a Director/s time is proactively managed and aligns with strategic priorities (LEAD CRITERIA)
• Ability to multi-task and remain calm when working in a fast-paced environment, with a patient and logical approach to analysing information effectively to solve problems.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills with proven ability to identify priorities and actions efficiently and effectively without supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate confidently at all levels and establish a strong rapport with senior leaders, both internally and externally, using diplomacy, tact and influencing.
• Experience of dealing with matters of a highly confidential nature and acting appropriately.
• Highly proficient with the MS Office suite, OneNote and document management.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working in a government, regulatory, or public sector environment.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 38,021, OFGEM contributes 11,014 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

When you press the Apply now button, you will be directed to a Civil Service test guidance for this can be found here Civil Service online tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The test you are due to take is not timed and you can complete it at your own pace. Upon passing the test, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to answer 2 questions evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within these answers, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [ https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn ].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Lisa Buchanan
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.

Attachments Executive Assistant - DDSS and People and Estates Opens in new window (pdf, 119kB) Executive Assistant_Candidate Pack_484187 Opens in new window (pdf, 716kB) Terms & Conditions April 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 323kB)