The UK Agri-Tech Centre
Executive Assistant to CEO & Board (Maternity Cover)

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Executive Assistant to CEO & Board (Maternity Cover)
Department
Executive Structure
Employment Type
Fixed Term Contract
Location
Any hub
Compensation
£40,000 - £50,000 / year
Description
Strategy and values
The Agri-Tech Centre’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of technology across UK agriculture and food production. We connect the people and organisations needed to turn promising ideas into solutions that work in the real world. As a trusted, independent national organisation with strong regional relationships, we turn insight into action, help the sector act on shared priorities and support a more productive, profitable, resilient and sustainable agri-food economy for the UK.
Everything we do is underpinned by our organisational values: we do the right thing with integrity, accountability and respect for others; we inspire and innovate through curiosity and proactive thinking; we make a difference by focusing on meaningful future impact; and we build and connect through collaboration, trust and strong relationships.
Role purpose
The Executive Assistant to the CEO provides high-level, proactive and confidential support to the Chief Executive Officer, enabling them to operate effectively and focus on the organisation's strategic priorities. In addition, this role provides support to the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board who operates on a part-time basis.
This is a trusted and highly visible role requiring excellent judgement, discretion and organisational skills. The postholder will manage the CEO's complex diary and priorities, coordinate senior-level meetings and engagements, support effective governance, and act as a key point of contact between the CEO and internal and external stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be comfortable working at pace, anticipating requirements, managing competing priorities and ensuring that actions, decisions and commitments are followed through effectively.
Key Responsibilities
Executive and diary management
Reasons to use Rodeo
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You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
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- Proactively manage the complex and changing diaries, ensuring time is prioritised effectively against strategic and organisational priorities.
- Coordinate meetings, appointments, events and external engagements.
- Anticipate scheduling conflicts and resolve issues proactively, ensuring the CEO is appropriately briefed and prepared.
- Manage meeting requests and invitations, using sound judgement to prioritise commitments.
- Arrange UK and international travel, accommodation and detailed itineraries where required.
- Ensure sufficient preparation, travel and follow-up time is built into the CEO's schedule.
CEO support and prioritisation
- Work closely with the CEO to understand key priorities and proactively manage competing demands.
- Manage CEO’s inbox daily.
- Gather and help prepare briefing information, meeting papers, agendas and supporting documentation.
- Ensure the CEO has the relevant information required ahead of meetings, visits and engagements.
- Monitor commitments, deadlines and actions, following up with colleagues where appropriate.
- Act as a trusted sounding board and provide proactive support to enable effective decision-making and time management.
Governance and senior meetings
- Coordinate executive, leadership and governance meetings as required.
- Engage with other Exec’s and heads of to manage meeting schedules, agendas, papers and associated documentation.
- Liaise with contributors to ensure papers and reports are submitted within agreed timescales.
- Record and maintain actions and decisions where required, ensuring owners and deadlines are clear.
- Track outstanding actions and proactively follow up to support timely completion.
- Support the effective planning and coordination of Board and senior leadership activities, working closely with relevant colleagues.
Finance
- Help CEO manage budget but reviewing purchases for approval ensuring they are within policy and approving on behalf if appropriate
- Raising PO’s and submitting invoices on behalf of CEO
- Submitting all credit card expenses and personal expenses including mileage in accordance with UKATC policy.


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Stakeholder management
- Act as a professional and trusted point of contact for the CEO's office.
- Build effective relationships with senior internal colleagues, Board members, partners and external stakeholders.
- Coordinate visits, meetings and engagements involving senior stakeholders.
- Represent the CEO's office professionally and positively at all times.
Communications and correspondence
- Manage and prioritise correspondence on behalf of the CEO, ensuring appropriate and timely responses.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
- Coordinate information and responses across teams where input from multiple stakeholders is required.
Planning, events and projects
- Support the organisation and delivery of leadership events, Board activities, stakeholder visits and strategic meetings.
- Coordinate logistics including venues, travel, accommodation, catering, technology and supporting materials.
- Support the Executive Office with the continuous improvement of administrative and governance processes.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experienced executive assistant, business support or business partner professional with a strong track record of supporting senior leaders in a complex, fast-paced or stakeholder-rich environment. Highly organised, proactive and discreet, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple Executive leaders. Confident preparing high-quality documents, coordinating meetings, tracking actions and engaging professionally with internal and external stakeholders. Comfortable working across finance, operations, engagement and customer-facing activity, with strong Microsoft Office skills and the judgement to anticipate needs, solve problems and maintain confidentiality.
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