Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household, Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK
REPORT TO: CEO
LOCATION: Office Based in Christchurch, Dorset
Purpose of the role:
The Executive Assistant (EA) is a strategic and collaborative partner to the CEO, providing seamless day-to-day support and acting as a connective hub across the business. This role goes beyond traditional administrative support, it's about anticipating needs, enabling focus, and ensuring the CEO can operate at their best. The EA works closely with senior leaders, external partners, and the wider team to keep priorities moving and communication flowing.
Main Responsibilities:
CEO Support & Prioritisation
* Provide proactive, high-quality day-to-day support to the CEO, managing calendars, meetings, travel, and inboxes with excellent judgement
* Anticipate upcoming needs, deadlines, and pressure points, helping the CEO stay focused on what matters most
* Act as a sounding board and thought partner, helping organise information, prep for meetings, and follow through on actions
Collaboration & Communication
* Serve as a key point of connection between the CEO and internal stakeholders, fostering clear, timely, and respectful communication
* Build strong working relationships across the executive team and wider organisation
* Coordinate cross-functional meetings, leadership forums, and offsites, ensuring outcomes and actions are clearly captured and progressed
* Deal with customers, suppliers and key stakeholders
* Represent the executive professionally
* Handle sensitive situations with discretion
Operational & Administrative Excellence
* Prepare agendas, presentations, briefing notes, and reports for internal and external meetings
* Track actions, decisions, and commitments, helping ensure follow-through
* Support day-to-day operational tasks that enable the CEO's effectiveness, adapting quickly as priorities shift
Confidentiality & Trust
* Handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgement.
* Act as a trusted representative of the CEO, reflecting their style and values in all interactions
Calendar & Time Management
* Schedule meetings strategically and pro-actively
* Protect focus time
* Avoid double-bookings
* Prioritise based on importance
* Inbox & Communication
* Filter emails
* Draft replies on executive's behalf
* Flag urgent messages
* Communicate with stakeholders professionally
Meetings
* Create agendas
* Take notes
* Track action items
* Send follow-ups
Travel & Logistics
* Flights, hotels, transport (for shows, exec & ops board)
* Itineraries
* Visas / documentation
Admin & Organisation
* File management
* Document prep (presentations, reports)
* Expense tracking and submission
* Contract handling where required
Project Support
* Track deadlines
* Follow up with team members
* Keep projects moving
Experience:
* Proven experience supporting a senior executive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
* Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple priorities
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, confident working with people at all levels
* Proactive - anticipate problems before they happen, adaptable, and solutions-focused, with a natural sense of ownership
* Flexible - comfortable working with ambiguity and changing priorities
* High emotional intelligence and sound judgement
Personal Attributes:
* Collaborative, approachable, and relationship-driven
* Calm under pressure with a "no task too small" mindset
* Naturally curious and always thinking one step ahead
* Discreet, trustworthy, and professional
* Flexibility in working hours
What we offer:
* Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
* 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
* Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
* Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff
* Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
* Generous Company Sick Pay
* Pension Scheme Contribution
* Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Free parking on Christchurch Quay