Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same?

Are you an exceptional organiser who enjoys working with senior leaders and managing competing priorities?

Can you build trusted relationships, exercise sound judgement and remain calm under pressure?

Are you looking for a role at the heart of a city council, where your work helps shape decisions that affect thousands of residents?

The Corporate Leadership Office sits at the centre of Brighton & Hove City Council, supporting the organisation's most senior leaders and helping ensure the effective leadership and governance of the council. This is a unique opportunity to work directly with the Chief Executive, providing high-level executive support within a complex, ambitious and politically led organisation.

Contract type:
Permanent

Interviews to be held:
Week commencing 9th November 2026

There is full information about the role below and attached but, if you would like an informal discussion, please contact Terie Harrison, Corporate Leadership Manager, via email - Terie.

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This is a unique opportunity to work directly with Brighton & Hove City Council's Chief Executive, supporting the leadership of a complex organisation that delivers services to thousands of residents every day.

Working at the centre of decision-making, you will act as a trusted adviser and primary point of coordination for the Chief Executive's office. You will manage an extensive and demanding portfolio of work, ensuring the effective planning, organisation and delivery of business across a wide range of internal and external relationships.

Your role will involve managing complex diaries and commitments, coordinating meetings and events, preparing high-quality briefings and correspondence, liaising with elected members, senior officers and external partners, and helping ensure the Chief Executive can focus on the council's strategic priorities.

No two days are the same. One day you may be supporting engagement with regional partners and government bodies; the next you may be coordinating urgent organisational priorities, preparing briefing material, or managing competing diary demands in a fast-moving political environment.

You will be highly organised, proactive and resilient, with the ability to anticipate needs and respond flexibly to changing priorities.

You will have experience of providing senior-level administrative or executive support and be comfortable building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You will communicate confidently, exercise good judgement, and understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality.

Most importantly, you will take pride in delivering outstanding support, enjoy solving problems, and be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the effective leadership of the organisation.

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds.

In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce ().