Please note we don't have a fixed closing date but instead will close the role when we have sufficient applicants to interview so apply soon to not miss out!
Location: Bromley, Orpington and Hybrid (with regular travel across Group sites)
Salary: £29,154 - £31,851 per annum, plus out-of-hours allowance
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Reporting to: Head of Private Office to the Group CEO
Driving Licence: Essential
An exciting opportunity at the heart of a growing education group
Elevare Civic Education Group is seeking an exceptional Assistant Private Secretary to join the Group CEO's Private Office.
This is far more than a traditional PA role. Working at the centre of a dynamic and ambitious organisation spanning further education, schools and charitable provision, you will play a key role in supporting the Group CEO, helping to ensure the smooth running of a complex programme of meetings, events, visits and strategic priorities.
You'll be part of a high-performing private office team, working closely with senior leaders across the Group and building relationships with partners, stakeholders and decision-makers from across the education sector.
This role would suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys variety, is highly organised, and takes pride in making things happen behind the scenes.
What you'll be doing
As Assistant Private Secretary, you will:
- Support the day-to-day operation of the Group CEO's Private Office.
- Manage complex diaries, meetings, travel arrangements and logistics.
- Coordinate and support high-profile events, visits, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
- Draft correspondence and communications on behalf of the Group CEO.
- Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
- Prepare briefing papers, meeting documentation and follow-up actions.
- Support governance-related activity and executive administration.
- Accompany the Group CEO to meetings, visits, external engagements and events where required.
- Help identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and ways of working across the Private Office.
- Monitor developments across the education sector and provide summaries of relevant policy, legislative and media developments.
What we're looking for
We're looking for an individual who combines exceptional organisation and attention to detail with sound judgement, discretion and professionalism.
You will have:
- Experience working in a PA, Executive Assistant or senior administrative role.
- Experience operating in a busy, customer-focused environment.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Outstanding IT skills across Microsoft 365 applications and confidence using technology and AI tools.
- Experience handling sensitive and confidential information.
- The ability to remain calm, responsive and solutions-focused under pressure.
- A proactive, curious and adaptable approach to work.
- A full UK driving licence.
The person we want to meet
You'll be someone who:
- Is highly professional, discreet and trustworthy.
- Enjoys working at pace and thrives on variety.
- Can switch quickly between detailed administration and big-picture thinking.
- Takes initiative and anticipates needs before being asked.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, including senior executives and external stakeholders.
- 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 a high degree of flexibility. This includes occasional early morning meetings, evening events, weekend working, travel between sites and, at times, accompanying or driving the Group CEO to meetings and engagements. Overnight stays may occasionally be required.
Why join Elevare?
This is a rare opportunity to work at the centre of a large and growing education group where no two days are the same. You'll gain exposure to executive leadership, governance, strategic projects and some of the most significant conversations shaping education and civic life across our communities.
If you're organised, resourceful and motivated by making a real difference behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you.
About Us
The College
London South East Colleges (LSEC) is one of London’s largest and most successful further education providers, with seven campuses across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lambeth and around 1,000 staff. Each year, we support more than 13,000 students through a wide portfolio of vocational courses, apprenticeships and other programmes that are closely aligned to employer and industry need.
What brings people to work here, and keeps them here, is the sense of purpose. We exist to change lives through learning, and that ambition runs through everything we do. Our staff work with learners from all backgrounds, many of whom face significant barriers, and play a direct role in improving social mobility and life chances across south east London and beyond.
We are committed to developing our people. This includes high-quality professional development, leadership and management training, and clear opportunities for progression across the College and the wider Group. We encourage colleagues to develop their skills, share expertise and build long-term careers with us, supported by a culture that values collaboration, professionalism and continuous improvement.
We invest heavily in our learning environments, with modern facilities and strong partnerships with employers, universities and local communities. This enables our staff to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality education and training that equips learners with the skills, confidence and resilience to succeed in work and in life.
LSEC is part of the Elevare Civic Education Group, which also sponsors London South East Academies Trust. The Trust is a growing and successful Multi-Academy Trust, currently comprising mainstream, special and alternative provision schools across Bromley, Bexley, Surrey, Sussex and Lambeth. This gives colleagues the opportunity to work within a genuinely joined-up education system, spanning schools, colleges and higher education.
The Group has also recently established the Elevare Education Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and families across the region through targeted programmes and practical support. This reflects our wider civic mission and commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond our campuses.
With a combined turnover of around £130m and clear ambitions for growth and improvement, this is an organisation that is forward-looking, values expertise and encourages people to contribute ideas and shape the future. There has rarely been a more interesting time to join us.
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.
