Graduate Assistant Private Secretary to the Group CEO
Start your career at the centre of a growing education group
Are you a recent graduate looking for a role that offers genuine responsibility, exposure to senior leaders and the opportunity to make an impact from day one?
Elevare Civic Education Group is seeking an ambitious and highly organised Graduate Assistant Private Secretary to join the Group CEO's Private Office.
This is not a typical graduate role. Working at the heart of a complex and growing organisation spanning colleges, schools and charitable provision, you'll gain a unique insight into executive leadership, strategic decision-making and organisational governance.
You'll work closely with the Group CEO, senior executives, governors, external partners and education leaders, helping to coordinate some of the most important activities across the Group. No two days are the same. One day you could be helping prepare briefing papers for a strategic meeting, the next supporting a high-profile event, researching policy developments or accompanying the CEO to stakeholder engagements.
This role is ideal for graduates with backgrounds in Business, Management, Administration, English, Communications, Media, Politics, Public Policy or related subjects who are looking for an exceptional first step in their career.
What you'll be doing
As Graduate Assistant Private Secretary, you will:
- Support the day-to-day operation of the Group CEO's Private Office.
- Manage diaries, meetings, travel arrangements and logistics.
- Coordinate events, visits, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
- Draft correspondence, presentations and communications on behalf of the Group CEO.
- Act as a professional point of contact for colleagues, partners and external stakeholders.
- Prepare briefing papers, research notes and meeting documentation.
- Support governance, committee and executive administration activities.
- Attend meetings, events and visits, capturing key actions and supporting follow-up activity.
- Research developments across education, policy, government and the wider public sector.
- Help improve systems, processes and ways of working within the Private Office.
What we're looking for
You do not need previous experience working as a PA or Executive Assistant. We're interested in your potential, attitude and ability to learn.
You will have:
- A degree (or be expecting to graduate) in Business, Administration, English, Communications, Media, Politics, Public Policy or a related subject.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- The ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
- Confidence using Microsoft 365 applications and digital technologies.
- Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people.
- A professional and mature approach to handling sensitive information.
- A full UK driving licence.
The person we want to meet
You'll be someone who:
- Is curious, ambitious and eager to learn.
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
- Takes pride in producing high-quality work.
- Is proactive and enjoys finding solutions.
- Has excellent judgement and professionalism.
- Can confidently engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
- Wants to understand how large organisations are led and managed.
- Shares our commitment to educational excellence, public service and positive community impact.
Flexibility and travel
This role operates around the needs of the Group CEO's programme of activities and therefore requires flexibility. This includes occasional early morning meetings, evening events, weekend working and travel between sites. You may also accompany the Group CEO to meetings, visits and external engagements, with occasional overnight stays required.
Why join Elevare?
Few graduate opportunities provide this level of exposure and responsibility.
You'll work directly alongside senior leaders, gain first-hand experience of executive leadership and governance, and develop skills that will accelerate your future career. Whether your long-term ambitions lie in leadership, communications, public affairs, operations, project management, policy, consultancy or organisational management, this role will provide an outstanding foundation.
If you're highly organised, intellectually curious and looking for a graduate role that offers challenge, variety and exceptional development opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.
About Elevare Civic Education Group
For more than a decade we have cultivated our organisational identity and built deep roots in our communities—developing a strong reputation, first as a social enterprise and now as a civic organisation.
Our civic mission is to transform lives through the power of learning—understanding, caring deeply, and making a positive impact on the lived experience of our students, staff, stakeholders, and communities.
Our culture is grounded in the STARS framework—Stand Out, Teamwork, Accountable, Respectful—which defines the behaviours we expect and the leadership we champion across our Group.
Benefits
We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including excellent annual leave and a generous pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme depending on role.
Additional benefits include:
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Annual season ticket loan
- Access to the Discounts for Teachers portal
- Free Wi-Fi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide through Eduroam
- Access to our on-site gym at Bromley campus and discount at other local gyms
- Discounts in our in-house restaurants and on hair and beauty treatments
Equal Opportunities
London South East Colleges is fully committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status.
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates to assess suitability for working with children and young people. Our full Safeguarding policy can be found here.
Because we work with children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to disclose relevant information or provide a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. Our DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request.
All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment.
