Executive Assistant to COO

Salary: £47,040 - £58,800 Closing date: 28 September 2026 Contract type:
Permanent Interview dates: 1st stage (13 & 14 October 2026), 2nd stage (22 October 2026) In-person Wellcome 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. We are looking for an Executive Assistant who will provide support to Maggy Chan, our Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Where in Wellcome will I be working? You will help the COO to deliver the mission by ensuring her time is optimised and prioritised for the benefit of Wellcome. What will I be doing?

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Executive Assistant to play a key role in supporting the COO and the broader Operations team in delivering on Wellcome’s inspiring mission.

Your primary focus will be using your judgement to proactively anticipate challenges, adjusting schedules, managing stakeholders and working with internal teams and external stakeholders effectively to ensure delivery to deadlines.

The role is essential to the smooth running of the COO’s office, being the central point of contact for the team and working closely with the Head of Executive Office, ensuring access to the COO as required.

As an Executive Assistant you will:
Provide comprehensive executive and departmental administrative support to the COO, proactively resolving operational issues and coordinating effectively with the CEO Office, Executive Director offices, and key teams across the organisation.

Manage the COO’s complex diary and scheduling, using sound judgement to coordinate meetings, resolve conflicts, and adapt calendars dynamically to changing priorities.

Prepare and coordinate high-quality agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and meeting documentation, ensuring the COO was effectively supported for internal and external engagements through timely collaboration with stakeholders across the organisation.

Coordinate internal, external, and department-wide meetings and events, managing agendas, documentation, and minutes while collaborating across teams to ensure effective planning and delivery of key organisational initiatives.

Manage complex domestic and international travel arrangements for the COO, producing detailed itineraries and coordinating tailored briefing packs to support effective engagement during business trips.

Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures, maintain departmental business continuity plans, and promote adherence to governance, expenses, hospitality, and compliance requirements.

Support departmental budget management by monitoring expenditure, reviewing financial reports, and processing expenses and invoices in line with organisational policies and procedures.

Manage departmental office operations and facilities, coordinating workspace moves, procurement of furniture and supplies, and liaising with facilities teams to maintain an efficient working environment. Is this job for me?

You will enjoy this role if you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy supporting senior leaders, and excel at managing complex priorities. You are highly organised, proactive, and skilled at coordinating meetings, travel, communications, and operations while building strong relationships across an organisation and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Minimum Criteria:
Executive Assistant experience, supporting C-suite stakeholders Advanced IT Skills – excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, expenses software (e.g.…