Executive Assistant to CEO

Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract, office based with hybrid working

Are you at your best when supporting senior leaders and bringing order, focus and momentum to competing priorities?

We’re looking for a highly capable, experienced Executive Assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced environment where professionalism, attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high‑quality support are valued. You will enjoy working closely with a CEO, bringing clarity, structure and forward planning to a demanding and varied schedule.

This role will suit someone who is proactive, highly organised, and naturally one step ahead.

As Executive Assistant to the CEO, you will provide seamless, high‑level support, including diary and calendar management, communicating on behalf of the CEO with members and stakeholders, and delivering effective secretariat support to Board and committee meetings.

Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will exercise sound judgement, maintain absolute discretion, and ensure the CEO’s time is used effectively.

This is a rare opportunity to work alongside the CEO of a national trade association, gaining exposure to Board governance, stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and strategic decision‑making across a sector that contributes significantly to the UK’s economy, environment and wellbeing.

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, innovate, and network with others in the industry.

We have an effective political lobbying team working to enable the best conditions for our members to flourish across the UK and our research and insights team provide impactful data to help our members run productive and resilient businesses.

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 around £40 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members’ businesses.

Our culture is built on our core values of Member Focused, Collaborative and 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.

This is a high‑impact, hands‑on Executive Assistant role supporting the CEO to ensure priorities are clear, commitments are delivered, and key relationships and governance activities are managed effectively. The role sits at the centre of the organisation, providing exposure to Board activity, member engagement and organisational priorities.

This is an office‑based role in Chilton, Oxfordshire, where building strong working relationships across teams is key. Hybrid working is available with some flexibility to work from home, but on‑site presence…