Executive Assistant to CEO

Full time permanent role

Salary - £35,000 - £38,000 depending on experience, knowledge & skills

Are you a highly organised, proactive, and discreet professional?  We are looking for an experienced Executive Assistant (EA) to provide high-level administrative support enabling the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to focus on leadership and organisational priorities.  This is primarily an EA role, with the opportunity to develop skills in governance and board support.

You will work closely with the CEO, Board and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times

About the HTA

This is a hugely exciting time for the sector and for the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).  Gardens and managed green spaces and landscapes have never been more important to the UK – for the economy, for the environment and for the nation’s well-being.   

We have 1,350 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA lobbies and campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation.  We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, be creative, and network with others in the industry.

We have been running the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962. These garden gift cards can be bought and redeemed at HTA Garden centre members sites throughout the UK and can also be purchased online and in some supermarket gift card malls. It is the biggest garden gift card scheme in the country – locking in over £30 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members’ businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HTA campaigned to ensure garden centres were classified as essential retail, which has increased the profile of the environmental horticultural industry.

Our culture

Our culture is built on our core values of being Member Focused, Collaborative & Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you’re looking for a workplace where these values are lived every day, and where you can make a real impact, we’d love to have you join us.

As an organisation, we are deeply committed to supporting and developing our team. We’ll give you the tools, mentoring, and opportunities you need to grow.

About the role

This full-time role will be based at our main office in Chilton, Oxfordshire.  We may consider more flexible working arrangements.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Proactively manage the CEO’s diary, correspondence, and meetings efficiently.
• Support the CEO’s engagement with members to enhance the reputation of the HTA.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and talking points.
• Manage the calendar and lead on the administration and attendance of board and committee meetings, including scheduling, documentation, and minute-taking.
• Maintain confidential records and track actions and deadlines.
• Provide administrative support for the Board, President and CFO as required.

What we can offer you

• Exposure to the workings of a senior executive office and opportunity to develop governance and board support skills
• Opportunity to attend and be part of horticultural events in a high-profile industry with significant public support and participation
• A welcoming and collaborative workplace culture focused on learning and continuous improvement
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact internally and in support of our member services
• Competitive salary and generous benefits package, including 30 days holiday + Bank Holidays, pension, health cash plan, life assurance, employee discount scheme, employee assistance programme, salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work & Electric Vehicle), and on-site parking and EV charging
• Tailored induction plan with full training on systems and processes
• Be part of a values-driven organisation with a clear mission and a culture of innovation, integrity, and professionalism

About you

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is organised, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced environment, with the confidence and discretion to support an outward facing CEO in an innovative and transformative organisation.  To be successful in this role you will have:

• Significant experience as an EA supporting a CEO, executive, or board in a similar fast paced organisation.
• Experience supporting governance processes and board-level administration.
• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to learn quickly about our organisation and our processes.
• Discreet, professional, and trustworthy.
• Calm and confident manner with a can-do attitude.
• Effective stakeholder management within senior teams. A natural team player with the ability to build cross-group working relationships.
• Strong problem-solving skills, able to anticipate issues and propose solutions.
• Proactive, with the ability to make decisions and delegate appropriately.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), document management systems, virtual meeting platforms, cloud-based collaboration tools, and board portal software.
• Comfortable learning and using new IT systems to improve efficiency and governance.
• An interest in horticulture.

Desirable but not essential:

• Relevant administrative or business qualification.
• Governance or company secretarial training (training will also be provided).
• Experience in a membership organisation.

How to apply

To apply for the role, please send your CV and a brief covering letter to [email protected].  

The application deadline is Friday 30th January, but we may but we may close the vacancy sooner if we identify and appoint a strong candidate.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early. 

The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes.  We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination.  We will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.

This role is open to direct applicants only. No agencies please. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.