Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract, office based with hybrid working
Salary: £40,000-£45,000 depending on experience, knowledge & skills
Are you at your best when supporting senior leaders and bringing order, focus and momentum to competing priorities?
We’re looking for a highly capable, experienced Executive Assistant who thrives in a fast-paced environment where professionalism, attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality support are valued. You will enjoy working closely with a CEO, bringing clarity, structure and forward planning to a demanding and varied schedule.
This role will suit someone who is proactive, highly organised, and naturally one step ahead.
As Executive Assistant to the CEO, you will provide seamless, high-level support, including diary and calendar management, communicating on behalf of the CEO with members and stakeholders, and delivering effective secretariat support to Board and committee meetings.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will exercise sound judgement, maintain absolute discretion, and ensure the CEO’s time is used effectively.
This is a rare opportunity to work alongside the CEO of a national trade association, gaining exposure to Board governance, stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and strategic decision-making across a sector that contributes significantly to the UK's economy, environment and wellbeing.
About the HTA
This is a hugely exciting time for the sector and for the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). Gardens and managed green spaces and landscapes have never been more important to the UK – for the economy, for the environment and for the nation’s well-being.
We have 1,350 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA lobbies and campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation. We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, innovate, and network with others in the industry.
We have an effective political lobbying team working to enable the best conditions for our members to flourish across the UK and our research and insights team provide impactful data to help our members run productive and resilient businesses.
We have been running the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962. These garden gift cards can be bought and redeemed at HTA Garden centre members sites throughout the UK and can also be purchased online and in some supermarket gift card malls. It is the biggest garden gift card scheme in the country – locking in around £40 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members’ businesses.
Our culture
Our culture is built on our core values of Member Focused, Collaborative and Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you’re looking for a workplace where these values are lived every day, and where you can make a real impact, we’d love to have you join us.
As an organisation, we are deeply committed to supporting and developing our team. We’ll give you the tools, mentoring, and opportunities you need to grow.
About the role
This is a high-impact, hands-on Executive Assistant role supporting the CEO to ensure priorities are clear, commitments are delivered, and key relationships and governance activities are managed effectively. The role sits at the centre of the organisation, providing exposure to Board activity, member engagement and organisational priorities.
This is an office-based role in Chilton, Oxfordshire, where building strong working relationships across teams is key. Hybrid working is available with some flexibility to work from home, but on-site presence each week is essential.
Your key responsibilities will include:
· Proactively manage a complex and fluid CEO diary, ensuring priorities are balanced and time is used effectively
· Coordinate meetings, travel and logistics with accuracy and foresight
· Act as a key point of contact on behalf of the CEO, maintaining professional and timely communication with members, stakeholders and colleagues
· Provide high-quality secretariat support to Board and committee meetings (agendas, papers, minutes and action tracking)
· Prepare briefings, reports and presentations to support the CEO’s meetings and engagements
· Track actions and deadlines to ensure follow-through and accountability
· Maintain strict confidentiality at all times
To read the Role Profile for this vacancy please visit the careers page on the HTA Vacancies page
What we can offer you
· A high-impact role working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team
· A collaborative and supportive work environment
· The opportunity to gain exposure to Board-level activity, strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement across a national membership organisation
· Competitive salary and generous benefits package, including 30 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), pension, health cash plan, life assurance, employee discount scheme, employee assistance programme and on-site parking with EV charging
· Structured induction plan with training on systems and processes
· The opportunity to be involved in industry events within a high-profile and growing sector
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring the following experience, skills and behaviours.
Experience:
· At least 5 years' experience supporting a CEO or Executive Director with responsibility for complex diary management, stakeholder communications and executive support
· Exceptional organisational skills and strong attention to detail
· Proven experience of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work under pressure
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Advanced Microsoft Office skills including Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook
· Proven experience of working with senior stakeholders and leadership teams, and in building strong, collaborative relationships across the organisation
· Experience of supporting Boards and committees, including minute taking and governance administration
· Awareness of how AI and digital tools can enhance productivity and effectiveness, within organisational policies
Behaviours:
· Proactive, self-sufficient and solutions-focused
· Strong judgement and the ability to anticipate needs and think ahead
· Highly discreet, with excellent interpersonal skills and credibility at senior levels
· Adaptable and resilient, able to remain calm and effective when priorities change
· Able to quickly grasp new concepts and ways of working
How to apply
To apply for the role, please send your CV and a brief covering letter to [email protected].
The application deadline is Friday 17th July, but we may close the vacancy sooner if we identify and appoint a strong candidate. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early.
The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes. We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination. We will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.
This role is open to direct applicants only. No agencies please. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
