Personal Assistant

Circa:

Were looking for an exceptional Personal Assistant to join our team and become an indispensable partner to our senior leadership. This is a varied fast-paced role at the heart of our organisation one where no two days are the same and where your ability to anticipate adapt and deliver will genuinely make a difference.

As a PA to our Director(s) youll be the trusted right hand who keeps everything running smoothly. From managing complex diaries and high-volume inboxes to preparing board papers coordinating international travel and representing the Director in their absence youll handle it all with professionalism discretion and calm.

Youll work closely with our other PAs and the wider leadership team forming part of a collaborative high-performing support function that takes real pride in the quality of its work.

At the RSC we embrace flexibility and offer hybrid working which means our teams come together when they need to collaborate. Although this role is contractually based at our Cambridge office you will be able to work from home within the UK with the expectation that you will attend the office when required. If you need flexible working arrangements please outline this in your application.

What Youll Be Doing

You would enable the leadership team to work effectively by providing high level proactive and confidential support to members of the Leadership Team ensuring they are able to work effectively and focus on strategic and organisational priorities. You would be a trusted partner who anticipates needs removes obstacles and facilitates smooth communication across directorates and with senior stakeholders. The PA works closely with managers directors and other PAs to deliver a seamless professional support function across the organisation. Flexibility is key as the role may support multiple members of the Leadership Team simultaneously with differing styles and priorities

Critically youll use sound judgement to assess incoming matters decide when to act independently and when to escalate and ensure the Directors time is always focused where it matters most.

What we are looking for:

• Experience supporting senior leaders (director level or above) with the judgement discretion and tact required to handle sensitive and confidential information.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining high attention to detail.

• Ability to work proactively anticipate needs solve problems and make independent decisions where appropriate.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to prepare key documents reports and presentations.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across the organisation and externally including Trustees and other senior stakeholders.

• Ability to collaborate effectively support colleagues and contribute to a positive inclusive working environment.

• Diplomacy negotiation skills and the ability to influence effectively at all levels.

• Proficiency in hybrid working technologies and the ability to learn and adapt to new systems quickly.

• Confident using organisational systems for finance HR recruitment and data management (e.g Workday).

• Ability to coordinate multiple resources and manage logistics across complex governance and operational events.

Why Join Us

This is a role with real scope and responsibility. Youll build a close trusted relationship with senior leadership gain exposure to strategic decision-making and be part of a team that values what great PA support looks like.

If you are interested in this role please apply before the end of the closing date. When applying you will need to provide an up-to-date CV and as a cover letter (in no more than 500 words) telling us about your relevant knowledge skills and competencies and why you are applying for this role.

Please note the closing date is 24:39 on 15/03/2026

About the RSC

We are a thriving international community of over 60000 members in 125 countries an internationally renowned publisher of high quality chemical science knowledge and the professional body for chemists in the UK with a reputation as an influential champion for the chemical sciences.

As a not-for-profit organisation employing around 700 staff in 6 countries we reinvest all of our income to achieve our charitable objectives in support of the chemical sciences community and advancing chemistry.

Our purpose is to advance excellence in the chemical sciences.

Our global community spans hundreds of thousands of scientists librarians teachers students pupils and people who love chemistry. We connect our community by holding scientific conferences symposia workshops and webinars and we partner globally for the benefit of the chemical sciences.

Benefits

We promote a healthy work/life balance and flexible working options. Our benefits package includes:

• 26 days paid holiday per annum plus bank holidays.

• Pension plan with up to 12% employer contributions (depending upon your contribution).

• Life assurance at 3 times basic annual salary.

• Enhanced parental leave.

• Paid volunteering days.

Visit our Work For Us website to learn more about us our benefits equal opportunities statement and inclusive culture pledge.

At the RSC we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates.

As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme we endeavour where possible to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role who has a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and as part of this we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information. If you would like to apply using a different format please contact the Recruitment Team at or on 44 (0) and we will do our best to put any reasonable adjustments in place.

If you have any questions please contact us at