Job Description

Salary for this Role:

From £45,000 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Job Title:

Executive Assistant and Executive Project Manager

Reports to:

Candice Cross

Closing Date:

06/Apr/2026 23.59 GMT

Executive Assistant to Chief People Officer and Executive Project Manager

Reports to: Chief People Officer (CPO)

This is a full-time and permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent,diagnoseand treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectiousdiseasesand neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration,innovationand exploration across many disciplines: a space where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and generate discoveries that deliver real human and societal benefit.

About therole

We are seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to support our Chief People Officer (CPO) and play a pivotal role within the Crick’s People agenda.

More than traditional executive support, this is a role for a true partner. You will bring your exceptional organisational skills and judgement to connect,synthesiseand translate priorities across the People function into clear, coordinated action,bringing clarity and momentum to a complex and evolving agenda.

Working closely with the CPO and People Leadership Team, you will bring structure,insightand pace to key priorities. Your experience will enable you toidentifythemes,risksand interdependencies across the People agenda, proactively surfacing these to support informed, high-quality decision-making.

A central focus of the role is enabling the CPO tooperateat their most effective. You will take a proactive approach to shaping the CPO’s time and focus, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s highest priorities. This includesallowing forspace for strategic thinking,anticipatingpressure points, and constructively challenging where activity or requests do not support coreobjectives

Operating across Board, Executive and People Leadership Team forums, your ability to navigate senior environments will ensure strong alignment between discussion and delivery. You willmaintainclear connectivity between the CPO’s diary, leadership teamagendasand Board priorities,joining the dots across strategic people initiatives, organisationalgoalsand governance forums to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach.

You will also bring your experience of working with senior stakeholders to lead the development of high-quality materials for Executive and Board discussions, build trusted relationships, and act asa central pointof integration across the People function,ensuring priorities are aligned and progress is driven forward.

This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated by shaping,influencingand progressing a complex organisational agenda.

About you

You will be an experienced Executive Assistant,supporting senior, exec level leaders,with the confidence and capability tooperateat a strategic level. Youwill becomfortable working closely with senior leaders, bringing structure,insightand challenge to support effective decision-making and delivery.

You will bring strong judgement,discretionand a proactive mindset, with the ability toanticipateneeds, connect information and drive progress across multiple priorities.

You will bring

• Significant experienceof providing EAsupporttosenior leaders at executive level, ideally within a People/HR or corporate function*

• A strong understanding of how senior leadership teams and Boards operate

• Demonstrated ability to synthesise complex information andidentifykey themes,risksand insights*

• Confidence in managing upwards, including the ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders

• Experience preparing high-quality briefings, reports and presentations for Executive or Board audiences*

• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-impact activities

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders

• High levelsof discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ideally you will also have

• Experience working within scientific research, academic,healthcareor complex organisational environments

• Experience supporting People/HR functions or leadership teams

• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects or initiatives

• A strong interest in organisational culture, peoplestrategyand leadership

*minimumcriteria

Please see the full job description here.

About Working at the Crick

Our values   

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!  

• We are bold We make space for creative,dynamicand imaginative ideas and approaches.We’renot afraid to do things differently.  

• We are openWe’rehighly collaborative andinteractive, andmake sure our activities are visible to the outside world.  

• We are collegial We show respect for one another, workcooperativelyand support the wider community.  
  

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. Find out more about life at the Crick. 

We are a  Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: recruitment@crick.ac.uk 

 What will you receive?   

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:  

• Visas:Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK 

• Generous Leave 28 days of annual leave, plus threeadditionaldays over Christmas and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.  

• Health & Well-being  

• 24/7 GP consultation services.  

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.  

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.  

• Work-Life Balance  

• Back-up care for dependents.  

• Childcare support allowance.  

• Annual leave purchase options.  

• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support,communityand inclusive social events. 

• Perks  

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.  

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.  

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.   

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.