Croydon Council
Executive Officer

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Salary range: Grade 12 £50,085 - £52,194 p.a. plus fantastic benefits Contract: Permanent Hours of work: 36 hours per week Location: Croydon
The opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Executive Officer to directly support the Corporate Director of Children, Young People & Education
Are you an exceptional organiser who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the heart of strategic decision-making?
Croydon Council is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Executive Officer to provide high-level executive support to the Corporate Director of Children's Services. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting the leadership of services that make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across the borough.
As Executive Officer, you will be at the centre of the Directorate, ensuring the Corporate Director's office operates efficiently, responsively and professionally. You will manage competing priorities, coordinate governance activity, prepare high-quality briefings and reports, and act as a trusted link between senior leaders, Members, corporate services and external partners.
No two days are the same. You'll be required to exercise sound judgement, manage sensitive information with discretion, anticipate issues before they arise and ensure that key priorities and actions are delivered on time.
About the role
You will:
- Provide high-level, confidential support to the Corporate Director of Children's Services.
- Manage a complex diary, inbox and correspondence, ensuring priorities are effectively coordinated.
- Prepare briefings, reports, presentations and meeting papers to support informed decision-making.
- Coordinate and track actions arising from senior leadership, governance and partnership meetings.
- Support the preparation and quality assurance of Cabinet, Scrutiny, Directorate and corporate reports.
- Maintain oversight of key deadlines, priorities and forward plans.
- Build productive working relationships with senior officers, Members and colleagues across the Council.
- Help drive delivery of directorate priorities by monitoring progress, highlighting risks and supporting improvement activity.
- Lead and support Executive Support Officers where applicable.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
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.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About you
We're looking for someone who has:
- Significant experience providing executive support to a senior leader within a complex organisation.
- Experience managing demanding diaries, inboxes and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting briefings and correspondence for senior audiences.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and governance meetings.
- The ability to analyse information, identify key issues and present concise recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work with senior leaders, elected Members and external partners.
- A high degree of discretion, integrity and political awareness.
Why join us?
This role offers the opportunity to work alongside the Corporate Director of Children's Services at the heart of strategic leadership and decision-making. You'll gain a unique insight into how Children's Services operates, contribute to high-profile priorities and play a key role in supporting outcomes for children and families across Croydon.
- A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
- 32 days’ annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays
- Investment into your staff well-being
- Great team ethos
- The culture at Croydon is very much about working together to make positive change
- Will have the opportunity to work from home and work flexibly which provides you with more of a work-life balance.
If you are proactive, resilient and thrive in a challenging but rewarding environment, we'd love to hear from you.
To view the Executive Officer – Housing role profile please click here.
Recruitment and selection timeline
- The closing date for applications is 31st August 2026.
- Shortlisting will take place 01 September 2026
- Interviews will take place in person at Bernard Wetherill House on w/c 31st August 2026


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Venisha Carr at venisha.carr@croydon.gov.uk
Croydon Council’s priorities
The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services
- Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
- Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
- Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
- Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
- Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
Key business plan outcomes:
- Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
- Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
- Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
- People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
- Croydon Council’s new ways of working
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills