Lead EA to CEO

Final date to receive applications: 18 October 2026

Department: Executive Office

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: London

Compensation: £75,000 / year

Salary: £75,000

Bonus: Discretionary

Location: Kings Cross, London - Up to 5 days a week in the office

Employment Type: Permanent, full time

Closing Date: Sunday 18th October

About ARIA

ARIA is a new R&D funding agency built to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.

Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life-changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role. If you want to help make breakthroughs like these possible, come and build ARIA with us.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Executive Assistant to lead ARIA's team of executive assistants whilst providing exceptional support to the CEO. In this role you will build an outstanding and efficient executive support function that will enable ARIA to be a highly productive organisation. Alongside leading and managing the Executive Assistant team, you will ensure the CEO’s time, priorities and commitments are managed seamlessly.

You will exercise sound judgement and absolute discretion in handling sensitive information, relationships and competing demands.

You will lead the management of the CEO’s diary, correspondence, meetings, travel and events, ensuring they are thoroughly prepared for every commitment. You will also capture, track and drive forward actions arising from meetings, ensuring commitments are followed through effectively.

To thrive in this role, you will be highly organised and efficient, have exceptional attention to detail, and be confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. Above all, you will think several steps ahead of those you support, anticipating what will be needed and taking action before being asked. Please be aware that this role may require occasional travel across the UK, to support senior leaders at meetings and events.

The duties of the role will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and continuously improve ARIA's EA function, coaching and developing the team, setting high standards, establishing effective ways of working, and ensuring excellent support and resilient coverage across the organisation.
• Own the management of the CEO's diary, ensuring their time reflects ARIA's priorities, anticipating competing demands, resolving conflicts, and escalating issues appropriately.
• Act as a trusted partner to the CEO, exercising excellent judgement and discretion in handling sensitive matters, information, and relationships.
• Maintain oversight of the CEO's commitments, deadlines, and dependencies, anticipating what is needed, coordinating preparation and materials, and ensuring decisions and actions are captured and acted upon.
• Manage the CEO's inbox and correspondence, exercising sound judgement about what to handle, delegate, prioritise, or escalated.
• Work closely with the Internal Chief of Staff and Head of Executive Engagement to ensure the Office of the CEO operates as a calm, highly effective centre of coordination across the Executive Team and wider organisation.
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring requests for the CEO's time and attention are handled appropriately.
• Work alongside the Internal Chief of…