Executive Assistant; EA), Infectious Disease

Salary: £36,640 - £45,800 Closing date:
Sunday, 20 September 2026 Contract type:
Permanent Interview dates: 1st stage (02/10 and 05/10) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. Wellcome’s Infectious Disease team is dedicated to tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

The team focuses on two critical threats: drug-resistant infections and diseases impacted by environmental change, such as arboviruses and waterborne illnesses. Through partnerships, advocacy and evidence-based action, we work to ensure research translates into equitable, accessible solutions for those who need them most.

You will provide high-quality, proactive executive assistance to the Infectious Disease Director, helping them to operate effectively while working collaboratively across Wellcome and with external partners to ensure the team’s priorities are delivered seamlessly in a matrix setup.

You will provide high-quality, proactive executive support to the Infectious Disease Director, helping them to operate effectively while working collaboratively across Wellcome and with external partners to ensure the team’s priorities are delivered seamlessly.

• As an Executive Assistant (EA), you will:
  Provide proactive executive support to the Infectious Disease Director, including preparing high-quality briefings, correspondence, presentations and key documents.
• Manage complex diaries, inboxes and priorities, ensuring the Director is well-prepared for meetings, visits and engagements.
• Coordinate and organise internal and external meetings, including senior leadership and governance forums, and support the preparation of papers for Executive Board and Board of Governors submissions.
• Support the smooth running of the office by managing travel, expenses, invoices, and day-to-day administrative activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Wellcome and within the wider administrative community to provide cover, share best practice and respond flexibly to changing business needs.
• Contribute to an inclusive, compliant and well-managed environment by following organisational policies, supporting cost control, and helping to embed efficient and effective ways of working.

This role could be a good fit if you have strong experience in executive or office support, are confident managing complex diaries and priorities, and are comfortable drafting clear, professional correspondence. You will thrive if you are highly organised, detail-focused and able to balance multiple tasks while building effective relationships and handling sensitive information with discretion.

• Proven experience in Executive Assistant or Office Management roles, supporting senior stakeholders.
• Advanced IT skills, including strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Experience managing complex calendars, priorities and competing demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and professional correspondence.
• Highly organised with strong planning and project management skills, and confident working with people at all levels and in a highly matrixed organisation.

Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working…