91890 - Judicial Appointments Commission - Senior Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Judicial Appointments Commission – Senior Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive (HEO)

We’re looking for a Senior Executive Assistant (HEO level) who will be responsible for providing assistance to our Chief Executive (CEO) and Deputy Chief Executive (DCEO), as well as support to the Secretariat team.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the CEO and DCEO in leading the JAC team and working with staff at all levels to deliver our business plan. You will assist both the CEO and DCEO in their day-to-day work, helping to prioritise their time effectively, shape their agenda, and support them to deliver their job as effectively as possible.

You will also work directly with a wide variety of senior stakeholders across government, the judiciary, and the legal profession. You will use your excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills to support collaborative working. You will also be comfortable working at pace while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and sound judgement.

Main responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Secretariat, your main responsibilities will include:

• Proactively manage the Chief Executive’s inbox and diary: scheduling meetings, flagging urgent issues, commissioning responses, monitoring and following up on actions, and being a friendly and helpful representative for them and the wider directorate both internally and with external stakeholders.
• Coordinate the CEO’s and Deputy CEO’s diaries, actively ensuring that the right meetings are given priority, resolving scheduling conflicts and ensuring adequate time is allowed for travel, preparation, and desk work.
• Support the Head of Secretariat in managing the JAC Chairman’s JAC stakeholder activities.
• Commission, research, and provide high quality briefing and advice for the CEO.
• Ensure senior colleagues are aware of potential items for discussion to support the Chief Executive in both internal and external stakeholder meetings.
• Ensure that the CEO is fully equipped with relevant materials and briefed (verbal and written) prior to all meetings, and that arrangements for the meetings operate successfully.
• Keep a careful note of points discussed at meetings and follow up action points with relevant managers, providing feedback to colleagues following the Chief Executive’s comments or steers on their work and outlining next steps.
• Provide administrative support to the CEO and DCEO in the preparation of presentations, reports, and internal and external correspondence.
• Act as a point of contact and conduit to ensure activities are coordinated and joined up across the JAC undertaking specific projects that directly support the cross-JAC priorities set by the CEO.
• Provide an effective Senior Leadership Team secretariat function, taking ownership of weekly agendas and actions.
• Support the DCEO in setting the agenda for monthly Strategy and Policy Division meetings.
• Support the Head of Secretariat, to manage the Business of the Board and deliver 8 Board meetings a year.
• Provide support as part of the Commission Secretariat team, who are responsible for all aspects of support to the JAC Commission Board and sub-Committees.

Essential Criteria

• A positive, flexible, self-motivated, and organised approach, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of managing competing priorities and prioritising issues as appropriate.
• Experience of working to tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication styles to suit a wide range of audience (including senior officials).
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Discretion and respect for confidential information.
• An ability to work calmly and methodically under pressure.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the ability to learn and use unfamiliar IT packages to a high standard.
• Proven experience of providing PA support to senior management, or an equivalent role with similar or transferable skills.
• Experience of minute taking.

What we can offer you

We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives.

Recruitment process details

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Application process

• Your CV
• A statement of suitability outlining how you meet the essential criteria for the post (250 words max).
• Written evidence of the following behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, and Communicating and Influencing (250 words each)

Sift

Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and the behaviours Managing a Quality Service, and Communicating and Influencing.

If a large number of applications are received, candidates may be sifted on their CV, statement of suitability, and lead behaviour: Managing a Quality Service.

Interview

At interview you we will assess you against all 3 behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, and Delivering at Pace.

The panel will also ask you about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service success profiles here.

Reserve List

As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.

Office Attendance

JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office in line with Government Policy. Applicants for this role should note that they may be required to attend the office more than 2 days per week in line with business need.

Please note, the JAC has been advised that it will be moving from its current office location at Clive House, Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ, by September 2025. No details about the new office site are available at this time, however the organisation will remain in London.

Working Patterns

We would consider a part-time, compressed hours, or job share application that ensured business needs were met.

Further Information

If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Jacqui Thomson, JAC Head of Secretariat, at Jacqui.Thomson@judicialappointments.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC HR Division:

Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk